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Heather H. - Matt is incredibly talented. He made this Christmas so special for my family and me with the love and dedication he put into their gifts. I started with a simple idea and not only did he bring it to life, but through his creativity, made a piece that far exceeded my expectations. Everyone loved them and was so impressed with the workmanship put into each sign. They're unique and he doesn't overlook a single detail. I can't thank him enough, these signs will be cherished forever.
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Heather's Christmas Gifts Order
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Tim W. - Just wanted to give a huge Thank You to Matt for making me this incredible piece. My best friend was killed in the line of duty in June. Matt made this sign to honor him. This wasn't something I requested for him to make for me, he made it out of the kindness of his heart. He put so much of his own time and effort into this project because he knew how much it would mean to me and how much he respects first responders and the military. Again, thank you Matt for giving my a wonderful way to remember my buddy.
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In Valor There Is Honor
A tribute to our friend Mike
This is about more than just a sign I made, it's about a police officer, son, father, family member and a friend to so many. I am one of the lucky ones to be able to say Michael Langsdorf was my friend. I met Mike through our dear friend Tim many years ago, then they both came to volunteer at the firehouse. But as it goes, firefighting isn't for everyone and Mike finally found his true calling in life, to protect and serve as a police officer. As he grew older he would become a husband and a father. As that goes the less and less we saw each of each other, but when we did it was like talking to a brother who was a away for awhile. There was always the constant back and forth of the typical firefighter and cop banter and of course our love for the St. Louis Blues.
April 20th 2018- In the first picture below is Mike, Bobby, Tim (Wilma), my wife Angie and I watching our Blues beat the Winnipeg Jets 3-2 in Game 6 to advance to the second round. Schwartz pushed the lead to 2-0 with a power-play goal off a wrist shot with 7:24 left in the second period and completed the natural hat trick early in the third. Schwartz said ''We were aggressive today and we kind of played without fear.'' Yes we are huge Blues Fans and this will all make sense why I'm telling you all this soon.
1. Before the game Wilma said if the Blues can get through the Jet's, this could be the year to win the Stanley Cup.
2. Wilma said hey Mikes coming up to watch the game with us. Sweet!
3. Mike, well he wasn't a big fan of Schwartzy, and after he scored his second goal I said you watch he's going to get a hat trick! Of course everyone said shut up .
4. Schwartzy got the HAT TRICK! Mike said oh my god! So Kim, Mikes girlfriend , Loves Schwartz and said if he ever scores a Hat Trick Mike better get a ring.
5. The Blues Beat the Jet's, Schwartz got the Hat Trick, Mike, Tim, Bobby, my wife Angie and I were hugging and high five'ing . Mike said Bay I have a cigar in the car for us to celebrate I'll be right back. He not only came back with probably one of the worst cigars I've ever smoked he also had a box with a ring and he told us he was going to propose to Kim.
A night I will remember forever. Not for the win, not the hat trick, not the nasty cigar or the proposal announcement. Although all those things made this one of the best nights I can remember, it would be the last night I would ever spend with my friend Mike.
On June 23, 2019 my friend, our friend would go to work to protect and serve the community only to have his life taken. We all hurt and mourn for his loss none more than his parents, Kim, the kids, and his best friend, my little brother Wilma.
After Mikes passing there were fundraisers and benefits. One of those was the sell of t-shirts with Mikes badge and the thin blue line flag with
"In Valor There Is Hope". I knew then I wanted to do a tribute piece for Wilma. I didn't take a lot of pictures to post because this sign is to special and will never be duplicated. It's a tribute to a police officer, son, fiance, father, family member and a friend to so many and I am proud it will hang at Mikes best friend house. I love you Tim and thank you for introducing me to Mike all those years ago. RIP Mike.
April 20th 2018- In the first picture below is Mike, Bobby, Tim (Wilma), my wife Angie and I watching our Blues beat the Winnipeg Jets 3-2 in Game 6 to advance to the second round. Schwartz pushed the lead to 2-0 with a power-play goal off a wrist shot with 7:24 left in the second period and completed the natural hat trick early in the third. Schwartz said ''We were aggressive today and we kind of played without fear.'' Yes we are huge Blues Fans and this will all make sense why I'm telling you all this soon.
1. Before the game Wilma said if the Blues can get through the Jet's, this could be the year to win the Stanley Cup.
2. Wilma said hey Mikes coming up to watch the game with us. Sweet!
3. Mike, well he wasn't a big fan of Schwartzy, and after he scored his second goal I said you watch he's going to get a hat trick! Of course everyone said shut up .
4. Schwartzy got the HAT TRICK! Mike said oh my god! So Kim, Mikes girlfriend , Loves Schwartz and said if he ever scores a Hat Trick Mike better get a ring.
5. The Blues Beat the Jet's, Schwartz got the Hat Trick, Mike, Tim, Bobby, my wife Angie and I were hugging and high five'ing . Mike said Bay I have a cigar in the car for us to celebrate I'll be right back. He not only came back with probably one of the worst cigars I've ever smoked he also had a box with a ring and he told us he was going to propose to Kim.
A night I will remember forever. Not for the win, not the hat trick, not the nasty cigar or the proposal announcement. Although all those things made this one of the best nights I can remember, it would be the last night I would ever spend with my friend Mike.
On June 23, 2019 my friend, our friend would go to work to protect and serve the community only to have his life taken. We all hurt and mourn for his loss none more than his parents, Kim, the kids, and his best friend, my little brother Wilma.
After Mikes passing there were fundraisers and benefits. One of those was the sell of t-shirts with Mikes badge and the thin blue line flag with
"In Valor There Is Hope". I knew then I wanted to do a tribute piece for Wilma. I didn't take a lot of pictures to post because this sign is to special and will never be duplicated. It's a tribute to a police officer, son, fiance, father, family member and a friend to so many and I am proud it will hang at Mikes best friend house. I love you Tim and thank you for introducing me to Mike all those years ago. RIP Mike.
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Supporting Families of Fallen Heroes - The BackStoppers supports families of fallen heroes by paying off all debt, providing health and dental insurance, and reimbursing for out-of-pocket medical expenses. We provide assistance with tuition and educational costs from day care through university and miscellaneous extraordinary expenses. BackStoppers provides roughly $1.5 million in assistance each year, and our program expense ratio is an average 80% over the last six years.
Your Donation - Your donation helps families who have lost a loved one in the line of duty. Each contribution helps to continue our mission. Thank you for your support! https://backstoppers.org/donate/ |
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Ray U.- What a talented wood sign maker. Not only did he make an awesome kiss sign for my son but I have had the privilege of watching him take someone’s idea and create a one of a kind wood sign out of it. Of course anyone can do that using a CNC machine but he does not use a machine. Just a router and his mind. Very very talented.
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KISS for Chase
Let's start with who's Chase. Well he's the son of the handsome devil in the middle, my great friend of 30 yrs, Ray. Chase loves the band KISS and oh yeah that happens to be one of my favorite bands to. So as part of his Christmas 2018 he got tickets to the Final Tour Ever, Kiss's... End Of The Road Tour and they took me. I can't begin to tell you the amazing memories we made that I will cherish forever. After leaving the concert Chase say's Uncle Matt do you still do woodworking stuff? Can you make me something with KISS? Well of course I was honored and couldn't wait to surprise him with this sign. It's more than sign it's keepsake of some great memories for Me Ray and of course Chase. Love ya buddy KEEP ROCKING AND ROLLING ALL NIGHT AND PARTYING EVERYDAY!
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Heidi R. - Matt did a fantastic job on our Toronto Maple Leafs sign! The graphic and attention to detail were amazing. It was completed in a timely fashion and he kept me updated with pictures of his progress. Couldn't be happier!! Thanks Matt - @oldmanbaysigns
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Toronto Maple Leafs
So I received a request from Hiedi for another Hockey Team sign. H E Double Hockey sticks yes I will, (RECORD SCRATCH) WHO? The Toronto Maple Leafs? It's for a Christmas Gift. Well OK then. And like all my other signs, yup lessons learned.
Lesson 1: Stop using reclaimed pallet wood yes it was FREE but it wasn't worth it long run. While working on the Uncommon Brotherhood sign I forgot to put on my dust mask and long story short I got severely sick and was treated for pneumonia. You just don't know what was on those pallets and after hours of breaking them down I would have very little usable wood and dirt and bugs in the shop. So what now? I started using fence boards. They are clean, for the most part consistent sized and carved very well. Pretty much the same look!
Lesson 2: As you see in the pictures below after routing everything out , I started with the white stain. MISTAKE! When I started brushing on the blue stain I noticed little specks of blue all over the white. UGH. Sand it down and re-stain the white again.
Lesson 3: Made a @oldmanbaysigns sticker for the back of my work with my Cricut. Maybe the customer will follow my social media. I guess I need to add my website!
Even though it's not a Blue's sign I really enjoyed making this for someone's gift. To think someone is going to receive this and hopefully be blown away it and forever one of my pieces will be in there home, office, or mancave. That's just amazing to me. So thank you Heidi for the opportunity and I hope the recipient will like it. Merry Christmas
Lesson 1: Stop using reclaimed pallet wood yes it was FREE but it wasn't worth it long run. While working on the Uncommon Brotherhood sign I forgot to put on my dust mask and long story short I got severely sick and was treated for pneumonia. You just don't know what was on those pallets and after hours of breaking them down I would have very little usable wood and dirt and bugs in the shop. So what now? I started using fence boards. They are clean, for the most part consistent sized and carved very well. Pretty much the same look!
Lesson 2: As you see in the pictures below after routing everything out , I started with the white stain. MISTAKE! When I started brushing on the blue stain I noticed little specks of blue all over the white. UGH. Sand it down and re-stain the white again.
Lesson 3: Made a @oldmanbaysigns sticker for the back of my work with my Cricut. Maybe the customer will follow my social media. I guess I need to add my website!
Even though it's not a Blue's sign I really enjoyed making this for someone's gift. To think someone is going to receive this and hopefully be blown away it and forever one of my pieces will be in there home, office, or mancave. That's just amazing to me. So thank you Heidi for the opportunity and I hope the recipient will like it. Merry Christmas
