Monday, September 10, 2012

From Pallet to Distressed Harvest Sign


This is part of a five day FALL series of DIY tutorials. 

Pallet Projects-They are EVERYWHERE!!

Although I would love to create a ton of them, I refuse to pay for a pallet, much less make my own. 


So I was thrilled when I was driving home one day and evidently one fell off of a truck...destined for ME!!!


So with it being an orphaned pallet, it was worse for wear. 

After completing the Pallet Power workout, I created a pallet sign 23"x40". 


But how make to make huge uniform letters?

I typed what I wanted at home and printed. Then drove to this fantastic place that is OPEN 24 HOURS, no back entrance required, called Kinko's


I asked them to make the print to the size I needed -VIOLA and five dollars later my letters are large. 


Next, I layered my font with contact paper and traced out all of the letters. Then cleverly cut them out keeping them together so that I could skip a step when trying to align them on the board. 

*Perfect time to catch up on DVR'd shows when cutting out letters. 


With the pallet my first coat of paint was a dark primer. Then I used Johnson Paste Wax and a rag to rub on various parts of the sign. 

Second coat was Rustoleum Satin Spray Paint called Fire Orange. After it dried I attached the contact paper letters. 

Finally the last coat is a cream color. After the paint dried, I used a hand sander and steel wool to distress the wood. 


Ta Da!!! A charming distressed sign perfect for my outside fall decor. 

~Amanda

16 comments:

  1. so so so so so so so so cute!!!
    I LOVE how it looks SO aged and so adorable and so fall and so autumn and so vintage and ....
    Well, I love everything about it!

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    1. Thank you so much!! It was truly a labor of love and distressing it was a great arm workout :-) Thanks for stopping by!!

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  2. Unreal how old this looks!

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    1. Thanks so much!! It took a lot of arm muscle :-)

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  3. I love this sign! What a clever idea and it looks so vintage. Great job!

    Katie
    www.funhomethings.com

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  4. Pallets do not fit in old Proteges.I know this for a fact. :( Just another reason we need a Mazda 3. Great job on the sign!

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  5. I love this sign! You did a fabulous job!

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  6. Featuring YOU today!

    Ginger @ GingerSnapCrafts.com

    http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/2012/09/take-look-at-you-20-fall-craft-ideas.html

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    1. Thank you so much!! It is truly an honor to be featured!

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  7. this sign is soooo fabulous - i'm in love with your process too. awesome!!

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    1. The process is fun but a lot of work. Thank you so much!

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