The 2006 Name Board Project
Revised in 2007


Name Board
Name Board
One of our First Projects - Name Boards

In 2006, I wanted to build something for our first display that would recognize or pay tribute to our two sons. I had planned to hang some snowflakes and other decorations on the garage doors, but had some additional space. So we designed some boards with the boy's names and birth years. I wanted them to be something that wouldn't "expire" and could be re-used. I laid out the names and birth years using Word software (with very large letters, one per page). Then we taped them together in a semi-circle and laid them out on the plywood boards.

Next, Grandpa Schimka did the tedious work of drilling the holes in the plywood signs, and then I painted them and loaded them up with the lights. I had to use a hot glue gun on the back of the boards to get the lights to stay in position.

In 2007, we rebuilt these elements of the display using using material called Coroplast or 'Coro'. Coro can be punched with a scratch awl rather than the tedious process of using a drill to make the holes. In any event, the name boards lent a personal touch to the display and are still a great reminder of why we do the display! Photos of the newly rebuilt signs are below.


Brandon Sign

Setting Up the Pattern for Brandon's Sign
Each Letter Printed Separately





Stephen Sign

Setting Up the Pattern for Stephen's Sign
Each Letter Printed Separately





Stephen's Sign

Punching Stephen's Sign
And Installing Lights





Brandon's Stars

Laying Out Brandon's Stars on Coro





Finished Product

The Finished Product
Stars and Letters Can Be Lit Independently





In Position

The Brandon and Stephen Signs
In Position Right Below The Snowflakes





Signs and Frames

The Final Product
Showing the Wooden Frames