Mystery Wall Plaque to Repurposed Coat/Key Rack/Wall Hook

I had no idea what this phrase meant when I bought this plaque at an estate sale, but...I bought it anyway. 75% off $4 at an estate sale. A buck? I think so!

Here's what I found when I researched it a little.

Wikipedia:

Illegitimi non carborundum is a mock-Latinaphorism meaning "Don't let the bastards grind you down". Carborundum, also known as silicon carbide, is an industrial abrasive material, but its name resembles a Latingerundive.

History

The phrase originated during World War II.Lexicographer Eric Partridge attributes it to British army intelligence very early in the war (using the plural dative/ablative illegitimis). The phrase was adopted by US Army general"Vinegar" Joe Stillwell as his motto during the war.^[1] It was later further popularized in the US by 1964 presidential candidate Barry Goldwater.^[2]

The phrase is also used as the first line of one of the extra cod Latin verses added in 1953 to an unofficial school song at Harvard University: Ten Thousand Men of Harvard. This, the most frequently played Fight song of the Harvard Marching Band, is, to some extent, a parody of more solemn school songs like "Fair Harvard thy sons to your Jubilee throng" etc. The first verse goes:

Illegitimum non carborundum;

Domine salvum fac.

Illegitimum non carborundum;

Domine salvum fac.

Gaudeamus igitur!

Veritas non sequitur?

Illegitimum non carborundum—ipso facto!^[3]

The phrase is also used as part of a student painted crest on the bottom floor of Hodge Hall at Princeton Theological Seminary.

A wooden plaque bearing the phrase sits prominently on the desk of U.S. House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner.^[4]

I never intended to sell anything with the word bastard on it...but I'll do it this one time since research is required to know what it means. ;-)

The gold lettering was already aged & beautifully faded, so I just gave it a drink of Amish Wood Milk, couple coats of Zinser shellac & screwed in two antique salvaged brass, crusty, beautifully patina'd hooks.

Another pic of the goodness? ...Okay!

Onto the next!

Salvaged Pallet Wood Photo "Frame"/Jewelry Holder

This project started off as a tray that I cut too short! It's a little over 12" wide, 18" long. No fear, it makes a great jewelry display/frame...or really, even a small tray!

Some pallet board, some blue stain, a little sanding/distressing. And a little boring. I put on some black & some white Ranger crackle paint here & there...to stark. A little sanding, a little gray washing. Good enough to make me happy.

I added four drawer pulls, all different, but used the same brass back plates to have a common thread. I sprayed them several times with Modern Masters Metal Effects Iron patina solution to get them to age more& get that gorg green patina happening.

I hammered in some copper upholstery tacksfrom Lowe's, my favorite store aside from Hobby Lobby & called it a day! She too, is awaiting the day I open my Etsy shop!

Onto the next!

Salvaged Pallet Wood & Antique Bed Springs Coat Rack

You hear someone messing around in your alley, it's almost midnight, a car running...DON'T grab your gun, I live in Texas, it's just little ol' me grabbing some of your discarded gems! Man, the things people throw away. Yup, I'm a trash digger...& fortunately (for the world) & unfortunately(for me) I'm not the only one!

So I came across these beautiful painted, faded, weathered blue boards & snatched 'em up QUICK! Already knowing what I wanted to do with them.

After sitting in my yard to weather some more, today was their day. I grabbed some& some discarded pallet wood laid them on my work table & ran a saw across them. I cut two or three pieces of regular ol' discarded wood for the braces in the back. I screwed it all together from behind. Rummaged through my collection of hooks & found two antique hooks, one new hook that I rusted by leaving in the elements, plus two curtain tie-backs. I grabbed three bed springs & attached them with black odd shaped nails that look hand forged but I bought at Lowe's, the best store ever. Screwed in the hooks & I was done.

It's around 2 ft high, 3 ft long, substantial, in all it's weathered glory. Sprayed it all down with matte spray sealer & now it's ready for a new home!

Onto the next!

Rusty Salvaged Hardware Wall Hook Assemblage

I tend to over think things. Back & forth over creative decisions. Though my hoard of supplies is substantial, & bursting with multiples, I still ask myself, "Do I REALLY want to use one of these gorgeous old doorplates on THIS?! I should really SAVE it for when I think of something REALLY amazing to do with it." HELLO JESSICA! You found this hoard of old salvaged hardware, you'll find more! THIS is something I am trying to force myself through & leave behind! I've decided to just START.

One more of my mounting issues is that I think in order to share something on my blog or anywhere it has to be earth shattering, innovative, you get the idea. In never really knowing what people would want to see, I just never started blogging.

I admit, though I am only 33, I think, LOL...I really did just double check the math, I don't think I've ever actually posted anything to my Facebook account! Just never felt like anyone really needed to hear I had a turkey sandwich for lunch....& see a picture of it, LOL. That's just me, much less my incredibly non-existent Twitter, blah blah blah. Just me, my new blog, my personal Facebook & 850 Pinterest followers that I obtained simply from pinning what I want to make.

I said all of that to introduce this simple wall hook. Because frankly, while I don't think it's anything super special or worth "blogging"about I suppose someone MIGHT draw inspiration from it?? I don't know! I think I'm just going to write simple posts about every piece I make or redesign...that way, I cover all my bases. You don't miss anything, I don't miss any opportunities. As an added bonus, it'll fill out my very empty blog quickly & make me feel like I've actually done SOMETHING!

One more disclaimer...I rarely remember while in beginning to get covered in paint and/or dust to catch before photos, or in the process photos. Sorry about that, but if you're reading this, I have faith that you're bright enough to figure out anything I forget to divulge, but always feel free to comment your questions!

This little guy is a wood plaque you can buy at Wal-Mart that I painted a while back with Modern Masters Metal Effects iron paint, two coats over regular Kilz primer since I didn't have theirs. I sprayed it a few times per the directions & got a beautiful REAL rusty piece of wood. Unfortunately the bright orange was dulled after sealing it with Polycrylic, but it changed the color the LEAST by far. I tried matte Mod Podge, polyurethane, shellac...think that's it.

I screwed on the salvaged antique door key plate thingy, screwed on a salvaged antique glass knob, complete with antique, I'm assuming, green paint splotch on the back of the knob. I just couldn't force myself to clean off the history! And there you have it! Oh! Don't know if you can see this, but i used green alcohol ink& colored the head of the screws on the keyplate to mirror the old green paint on the knob. I may end up Mod Podgeing some green patterned paper on the head of the screw that holds the knob on as well. We'll see if I remember!

Onto the next!