Joy Sign

I already had a frame that I wanted to use but if you don't have one on hand, my favorite place to source frames is at thrift stores and garage sales!

I bought a 2'x4' backer board at Home Depot for another project and had this piece left over! I needed my piece for the project to be 16"x20". Making my marks on the wood to get ready to cut!

These are the lines for I've marked for cutting this down with the circular saw.

Tools needed now: circular saw, eye protection and ear protection. If you are not comfortable with a saw, you can always have Home Depot cut your board down to size for you! The best part....it's a free service!

Once I got the wood board cut, I wanted to paint it with my favorite paint by General Finishes Anitque White Milk Paint. When I am between coats, I store my brush in a quart size plastic baggie.

I printed down what I wanted with the font and size I was desiring. Sometimes, you have to do this a few times to get it right, but it's so worth it! I marked the middle of my word (not my paper) so I could place it on the wood where I wanted it. At first, I wanted to center it but I changed my mind and went with it off-center!

This is where your elementary days will come back in handy! Turn the word or phrase over and scribble it with a pencil. When you have all the letters covered, turn your paper over and place it on the wood piece. I prefer to tape mine down with painter's tape to keep it in place.

Letters are transferred! Now this is where it gets all kinds of fancy! I use a black sharpie marker to outline and fill the words in. I do not have a steady enough hand to paint this detail but if you do, then more power to you!

Here it is all outlined and filled!

Now it is time to turn the wood over and attach it to the frame. Here, you can see that I am using small finishing nails and a hammer to get it in place securely.

This sign brings me so much "JOY!"