Proverbs 9:10 “The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom”
I love when inspiration strikes from the most unexpected materials. This little wall décor project started out with nothing more than a couple of pieces of scrap wood, and it turned into a beautiful sign with one of my favorite verses:
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” – Proverbs 9:10
Step 1: Building the Base
I took a few leftover pieces of junk wood and nailed them together to form a rectangle-shaped sign. To give the wood a softer, more finished look, I painted it with a light gray wash—just enough to let the wood grain peek through.
This gave me a pretty neutral background that would tie the whole design together.
Step 2: Preparing the Verse Design
I wanted to display the verse in a unique way, so I printed out a simple template of stacked books. The design was intentionally minimal, almost like blank book covers, which gave me space to handwrite the verse across the “spines.” Each part of the verse flowed naturally from one book to the next, almost like you’re reading down a stack of wisdom-filled volumes.
Step 3: Mod Podge Magic
Once I had the words written out, I carefully used Mod Podge to glue the paper book stack design onto my wooden sign. I worked slowly so the paper would dry smoothly against the wood and become part of the background. After it set, I also added two little art decals to the sides, sealing them down with Mod Podge as well.
Step 4: Adding the Finishing Touches
After everything was completely dry, I wanted to highlight the details and tie it all together. Using a silver marker, I added delicate accents around the books, and then went in with a black marker for a bit of extra definition. The silver worked beautifully with the gray-whitewashed background, giving the piece a subtle, elegant look.
The Finished Sign
In the end, my scrap-wood sign turned into a meaningful piece of wall décor. I love how the verse flows down the books, reminding me daily that wisdom starts with reverence for the Lord. It’s rustic, simple, and heartfelt—proof that you don’t need expensive supplies to create something both beautiful and meaningful.
This project has inspired me to keep looking at scrap wood and “junk” pieces with fresh eyes. With a little creativity and one powerful verse, they can become treasures for the home.
— Your Crafter
Dandychandee 