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Making an Antique {Looking} Sign

By Marcie
14 January, 2013
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Oftentimes, there are scraps of wood hanging around my garage, begging to be used. They may be lumber from the hardware store, or scraps from a rescued piece of furniture.

There are unlimited possibilities with these scraps, and one project I worked on for a Christmas gift is using one of these scraps to make a sign that looked antique, but wasn’t.

What you’ll need:

Acrylic paint, in your choice of colors
Phrase or word of your choice (typed in font of your choice, printed out)
Transfer paper (craft store)
Wood board
Paint brushes (1/2′, 1", 2")
Antique medium or wood wax

Paint your board in the color you’ve chosen. Add a border (if you desire) in a coordinating color. Allow to dry.

Adjust the size of your printed-out phrase to fit your board. This may take a few tries.

When you have the font you like and it is sized to fit your board, place the transfer paper underneath the font and trace your word or phrase with a ball point pen.

Paint the letters with a color of your choice. Allow to dry.

Outline the phrase you traced with a darker coordinating paint color. Allow to dry.

After the board is completely dry, go over the whole piece with an antique stain (I used an antique medium I found at Hobby Lobby located near the acrylic paints).

When that dries, use the force of the sandpaper! Go over the piece with not too much pressure, but enough to get a good "old" look.

Attach hangers and volia! An easy weekend project that makes a fantastic wall hanging or gift!

Wire Basket {Turned Memo Board}

By Marcie
2 January, 2013
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Hope your Christmas was merry!

I connected with a lady last week, on the way home from vacation in Kansas City, who had some grain bags for sale. I ended up buying a couple, and she happened to also have wire baskets (really, my weakness!) that she sold me.

She wasn’t sure, but she thought this beauty was from an old freezer-a drawer, maybe.

And after some spray paint, it’s now part of a more-organized kitchen.

I didn’t cover it completely-a few rusty spots here and there show character.

Who couldn’t use a little more order for a new year?

Christmas {Repurposed}

By Marcie
6 December, 2012
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I just finished up this sign for a gift exchange tonight. I will post the tutorial later this week.

It took a piece of scrap wood, a steady hand for painting and outlining, some sanding, a sheet of transfer paper, and some ageing work. I just love handmade gifts!

My cousin has been working on some Christmas decorating at her house (in sunny Florida) and she sent me a few shots of what she has done so far.

The scene is made with scrap wood blocks, a Nativity scene purchased at the Dollar Store, and the words are painted on with a paint pen (source)

Fabric wreath (source)

NOEL Sign (simple–paint large wooden N, E, and L, then use a pretty wreath for the O)

Can I encourage you to make this season just a little simpler? Make a gift instead of buying one, maybe pass up the newest thing, bake some cookies for someone who loves sweets.

Just a few more weeks!