Signs, Signs, and More Signs

Fast on the heels of our stool project was the making of signs. Lots of signs. I decided that we had too many bare walls in our house and I was going to fix a few of those. Thank goodness Farmer John gave me a Silhouette Cameo for Christmas! I broke it out and created a few designs in my software and got to painting!

First, I decided to tackle a sign I'd been thinking about for months for our guest bathroom. I started by having Farmer John cut the pieces of wood I needed for all my ideas and then we lightly sanded to make a smoother finish. I then painted a layer of Antique White Chalk Paint by Color Rehab on my sign and let it fully dry. I then used my Cameo Silhouette to cut out a stencil from vinyl and applied it to the wood. First, I painted Mod Podge around the edges of the design to prevent bleeding and let dry. Then, I used black chalk paint for the words and design. Once it was tacky (not all the way dry as I didn't want the design to peel up when I removed the stencil), I peeled off the stencil and let it fully dry. A final spray with poly and wire hung on the back and it was done!!

Here it is hanging in it's new home. It looks smaller here than it does in person though!

Little Farmer T and Little Farmer G were itching to get their hands on some paint, so I decided that we could create some art for their room together. I created a few quick stencils of some camping themed designs for their room and let them help make their own signs. I started by painting a coat of antique white all over their boards and letting dry. I did these signs a little differently than the sign above. Instead of using the stencil to fill in with color, I used the vinyl like a giant sticker and let them just paint over the entire thing and then peeled off the letters, animals, etc.  So, after the white dried, I applied the animals, tent and wording and then applied Mod Podge again to the edges of the design. I then let them have at it! They each chose which color to use for their design and painted! I helped with a few small areas, but they really did most of it! Once they were tacky, I peeled off the vinyl and we let them finish drying and then sprayed them with poly and applied wire to the back to hang!

Little Farmer T was excited to do the tent! 

Little Farmer G's bear!   

I had a little help, but mommy did most of this one.

And, last, but not least, mommy decided that the kitchen needed one more sign...because, of course...who doesn't need more Sweet Tea and Sunshine?!? Especially this southern girl up here in western WA? 

I created this sign with the same method as the bath sign with only a couple of changes. I painted the entire sign with antique white first and then with mustard yellow that had been mixed with white a little to brighten it up. I then placed my stencil, Mod Podged (is that a word?!?), and painted each section of words the color I wanted. We let it dry and then I lightly sanded a few spots and used a spray poly before adding the wire to hang.

Here it is on the wall...one of my favorites!!

Slowly, but surely, we are making our way though the house and adding our own touches. It still has a long way to go, but we are getting there!