Make Your Own Painted Holiday Sign

DeeDee
by DeeDee
5 Materials
$11
45 Minutes
Medium

You know how you're scrolling along and you see something that really catches your eye? The first time I saw a sign like this I knew I wanted one for our bedroom. I immediately went on a search and found out that they are really spendy! A new expensive sign is never in our budget, much less at Christmas time. I was just going to have to make my own.

It was really easy to make. I seriously thought it would be way harder than it was.  I have made a few signs in the past using a different technique, but this is my first time making a sign with a stencil.

Since I already had the perfect board, my next problem was the beautiful font the sign was done in. Of course, off to Etsy I went to find a stencil maker. I found an awesome one with great prices.  Click right here to get the link to her shop and please tell her I sent you! :)


According to the stencil directions, you have to have a smooth clean surface for the stencil to work properly. First I used a damp rag to clean off the dust on my board. Then, I used some white acrylic paint and gave my old board a little dry brushing to fill in some of the bare wood spots and to make it as smooth as I possibly could.

The one time use stencil comes with step by step instructions on how to use the stencil. So easy yall!

TIP: Before you peel the backer paper off your stencil, center it on your board and make pencil marks on the corners so you know where to place the stencil after you've peeled the backer paper off.

For best results, make sure you follow all the directions that comes with the stencil! I spent extra time smoothing my stencil onto my board. After I smoothed all that I could smooth, I gently (keeping my hand slightly against the board) started peeling the topper paper off my stencil.


TIP: GO SLOW and keep you hand resting on the board. You do not want to pull straight up on your topper paper. Your stencil will not fare well!

This is how my stencil looked after I had the topper paper removed.  Now I was ALMOST ready for paint.

I used my thumb and went around the edges of all the letters to make sure the stencil was tight to the board before I started painting.


TIP: If the stencil is not stuck well, you will have seepage and that's not pretty!

For the lettering I used black acrylic paint and a sponge brush. With very little paint on my brush, I gently tapped on my paint in thin coats.

This is how it looked after I got all the paint applied. After I covered all the lettering with paint, I looked closely to see if I could see any white spots showing through and touched up if I did.


I was home alone the day I made this sign so I couldn't take pictures of myself removing the stencil, but you will want to remove your stencil BEFORE your paint dries completely. 


After I removed the stencil I had a few places that needed a little touch up, so I grabbed a fine tipped brush and my paint and I did just that. When I was sure the paint was dry, I used some fine sand paper and went over the whole thing to distress it a bit. I did not seal it because its not going to be out in the weather or anything like that.

I so love how it turned out! I was so proud of myself for making this sign that looks so pretty over our bed. I'm going to have a hard time taking it down after Christmas is over.


I have lots more Christmas decorating ideas linked on my blog. To get to my blog, look for the blue "GO" button down below and click it.


Thank you for looking! :)

Suggested materials:
  • Board sized to what you want   (Scrap)
  • Vinyl Stencil with phrase you want   (Etsy)
  • Acrylic Paint of your choice   (Craft Stash)
See all materials
DeeDee
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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