Stenciling Signs on Vintage Wood
Hi everyone! Do you remember back in July when I stumbled on a curbside collection of old junk? Mixed in with the junk were many pieces of wonderful old wood. I scooped up as much as I could and threw it in my van, and I’m so glad I did. Yesterday, I made some cool, vintage signs with a couple of those pieces, using brand new stencils I ordered off of eBay through Homestead Stenciling Company.
I’m pretty much in love with this “Amazing Grace” stencil. It’s about 18″ long and cost just $3.75 through Homestead. Shipping is $3.95, no matter how many you order. (I ordered five!) And of course, the hymn “Amazing Grace” means so much to so many people, including me. If you’ve never experienced God’s amazing grace for yourself and would like to know more, drop me a line via my contact form (side bar) or my email: adirondackgirlatheart [at] gmail [dot] come.
This is what the red red wood looked like after I unloaded it from my van.
I fell in love with this shade of red and the perfectly distressed surface.
I cut one of the pieces in half since they were so long. (It’s amazing how things take on different tones when photographed under fluorescent light (in my workroom).)
I taped the corners of the stencil to the wood to hold it in place.
Using white acrylic craft paint and my handy dandy make-up sponge, I painted the words onto the wood. Easy peasy with the make-up sponge–one of my favorite Pinterest tips of the year.
(More unattractive fluorescent lighting.) Here’s the sign just after I finished painting, before a light coat of matte polyurethane spray paint.
After drilling two pilot holes, I nailed on a saw-toothed hanger.
The final product: a keeper for now.
For the second sign, I chose the nice piece of scrap wood on the right, with the scrolled edge-work.
I decided to stencil it with “WELCOME,” another stencil I purchased through Homestead ($1.99). I’ll bring this one up to my shop,priced at $15.00. I’ve sold several signs now in that price range.
And for my last sign” I used the top of an apple basket and applied a stencil that I bought at Walmart (surprisingly) for just $5.00. The full stencil reads, “Farmer’s Market, Country Fresh Vegetables, Hand Selected and Hand Packed Since 1921.” I’ll also bring this one up to my antique booth, priced at about $18.00.
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I’m checking out that ebay store right now… 🙂
🙂
You make it look so easy. My granddaughter’s middle name is Grace. How cool would that be for her?
It is pretty easy, Marcia, especially once you collect all your supplies together and get down to business. My daughter’s name is Grace and we talked about the double meaning of the sign 🙂
Did you do any stabilizing of the surface before you stenciled, ie., sealer or spray fixative? I’m always concerned with old finishes being not safe with a three-year old around. Stenciling is such an easy way to personalize an item…love your easy ideas, here. Thanks, Sandi
I spray the projects with polyurethane after I stencil them to preserve the stencil work. I would keep pieces you’re concerned about hanging on a wall rather than set somewhere low, in order to keep them out of the three-year-old’s hands 🙂
HI May I suggest that you fill in the gaps where the stencil break is? It would give the signs a more finished look. Just a suggestion, you did quite well with your find of wood for free too!!
Thanks for the suggestion, Kris. Sometimes I fill them in and sometimes I don’t. I depends on how I feel and how I think it looks. For instance, I filled in the gaps on the third and final sign, “Farm Market,” because I preferred it. I may go ahead and fill in the gaps on “Amazing Grace,” now that you mention it 🙂 But I kinda like the “Welcome” sign as is. Thanks again!
I need to make one that says Vintage Rose…my name is Rose and I am vintage (at 63 yrs old!). Maybe you could have a giveaway and personalize a sign for someone!
How du you use the sponge? Dab the paint on?
Beautiful creations Diana.
Kris
Hi Diana! 🙂
I love all of these. I love the color of the red wood, so pretty!
I am always scooping up old pallet wood at the local hardware store, the old wood makes the best vintage looking signs. But I have never come across red or any other color – great find!!
The apple basket sign is amazing, love the stencil on that one too!
Kimberley 🙂
I love old wood, love signs, and stenciling. It’s a win, win, win Diana! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
I love the color of the wood and the message, wonderful!