Okay, so today I wanted to try something a little different, something crafty. I had this idea for a, like, a decorative piece – a “cross and bible door”. Don’t ask me where the idea came from, it just popped into my head! So, I started gathering materials. First, I needed some wood.
I found some scrap pieces in my garage – leftover from a previous project, I think. They were kind of rough, but I figured that would add to the, you know, rustic charm. I cut two pieces,one is longer than another, for the cross, and one larger and flat piece for the “door.”
Shaping the Cross
Next, I shaped the cross. I’m not a carpenter, not even close, so this was all very basic. I just used a handsaw to get the general shape, then sanded down the edges to make them a bit smoother. Plenty of splinters, let me tell you!
After that, I took a small wood file, you know, the kind you use for details, and tried to round out the ends of the cross a bit. It wasn’t perfect, but I wasn’t going for perfection, I was going for “handmade.”
Preparing the Bible Door
Then came the “door” part. I took that flat piece of wood and, using a pencil, I lightly sketched the outline of an arched doorway. It looked a bit like an old church door, at least in my mind. I even drew a little circle at the center, as an imitated door knob.
I decided to try and score the wood to give it the appearance of planks. So, I used a box cutter – carefully, very carefully! – and ran it along the pencil lines, pressing just hard enough to make a groove. This part was a little nerve-wracking, because one slip and… well, you know.
Making the Bible
- I found some thick paper – almost like cardstock – and cut it into tiny, rectangular pages.
- I stacked them up, making sure the edges were roughly aligned.
- I used a bit of glue to stick them together along one edge, creating a mini “book.”
- For the cover, I cut a slightly larger piece of brown paper and folded it around the “pages,” gluing it in place.
Putting It All Together
Now for the assembly. I used wood glue to attach the cross to the center of the “door,” right above my sketched archway. Then, I glued the tiny bible just below the cross, inside the arch, so it looked like it was resting on a little ledge.I found it interesting!
I let everything dry overnight. It was kind of a mess while the glue was wet, but it all held together surprisingly well.
The Final Touches
The next day, I added a little bit of stain to the wood, just to give it a more aged look. I didn’t want it to be too dark, just a hint of color. I used an old rag to rub the stain on, then wiped off the excess.I think I made it!
And that’s it! My “cross and bible door” was finished. It’s definitely not something you’d find in a store, but that’s kind of the point. It’s a little rough around the edges, a little imperfect, but I made it, and that’s what matters. Maybe I’ll hang it on my wall, or maybe I’ll give it away. We’ll see!
