Make a rustic wood sign from small stake pickets & paint stirring sticks!
How to:
made with
1
I’m making this sign out of 18-inch wooden stake pickets. I bought a large bundle of these at Lowe’s for around $6, and I have enough to make two signs. (Or buy a smaller 12-pack at Home Depot.) Lay them close together, with the roughest side face-up.
2
While you’re purchasing the pickets, stop at the paint counter and ask for a few paint stirring sticks. Add a generous amount of wood glue to the printed side of a paint stick, and adhere it vertically to the rows of pickets.
It’s okay if it isn’t quite long enough to cover all the pickets, just stagger the next paint stick to include the unglued pickets. Add several paint sticks to secure the pickets together.
3
Place something heavy on top of the sticks to weigh them down while they dry. Allow to dry at least 30 minutes.
4
You’ll need vinyl letter stickers for the next step. It’s important that the stickers are made of vinyl so that they will repel the wood stain instead of soaking it up. I bought these at Wal-Mart by the mailbox hardware, for only $3.
5
Once the wood glue is dry, flip over the picket sign. I’ve chosen to align my letters on the left. Space the letters evenly, adhering them lightly at first.
6
If you’re happy with the final placement, use a plastic card to firmly rub the surface of each sticker. (It’s okay if a little of the stain gets through the edges, since this is a rustic sign, but it’s important to adhere each letter well if you want the text to be legible.)
7
I’ve chosen a 2-in-1 stain, that stains and seals. I don’t care about the sealing part since this is an indoor sign, but it does give the sign a shinier finish that I like. Be sure to do this in a well ventilated area, preferably outside.
8
Put on a pair of gloves, and dip a rag in the stain. An old t-shirt works well. Wipe the stain over the pickets, in the direction of the wood grain. Remember to stain the edges as well.
9
Allow the stain to dry. Peel off the vinyl stickers and discard.
10
Flip the sign over and add picture-hanging hardware to the back. I prefer to use small eye hooks and wire for easy hanging.
Hang your new rustic sign in your home to remind you of happy summers spent at the cabin.
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