Yes, it’s a lame title but I’m doing a how-to so when I get dementia I’ll have a guide. Or you can make your own sign!
First, find a board. In this case, I’m using the sanded rough-sawn fencing left over from my headboard project. I cut the board in approximately one foot long pieces.
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Next, I use three different stains . . . a cherry red, walnut and warm gold, otherwise known as Golden Pecan. I add some very dark brown accents (random dots and dashes) with a high gloss enamel and small art brush which shows through the paint steps better than the walnut stain.
Now, it’s time for the color. I apply it like a wash with a sponge brush first dipped in paint then water. Once it’s coated, I wipe it gently with a soft rag (old tee-shirt). Then using the tip of the sponge, streaks of more solid color are added.
Now it’s time for a pretty standard whitewash followed by some dry brushing with the white paint. I just tip the bucket to expose the less diluted paint at the bottom and tap the top of the brush for the dry brush step.
Okay, that was so fun that I dry brush some more of the primary color . . . in this case, sea green.
And then dry brush some of the dark brown,
The board is almost ready for lettering. Just wipe on a final coat of the Pecan stain over the entire board to blend all the colors and “age” the wood.
Hurray . . . the board is ready once it dries. Time to jump on the computer to make a template. I use Word since I’m most familiar with its formatting capabilities. I find a font I like and then start working on the size and spacing until I have a working model of the saying to print.
No Picture for This Step
This is the first step that is hard in anyway. Very slowly, cut out the lettering with an Exacto knife. I use painters tape to secure the more fragile cutouts while working on the rest.
The next step in less intense. I use a medium Sharpie to trace the lettering onto the board.
Take a break. Just joking, but the lettering takes alot of patience. Almost any mistakes up to this point can be easily fixed. The lettering is unforgiving and tedious, but it is the thing that really makes the sign “pop.” I used my smallest art brush for this sign due to the much smaller lettering on the second line.
Last but not least . . . A couple of accents add the finishing touch. This sign is getting small beach rocks. The accent can be anything. I use shells, sand dollars, starfish, etc. Anything can work . . . I happen to like the touch of nature.
Tada! There it is. This was the hardest one yet. I will stick to few words in larger point sizes from now on. This sign was a special, special project though and worth the extra effort. This will be packed up and mailed on Monday.
Happy Birthday P!
4 comments
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July 8, 2018 at 8:40 pm
Tom Merriman
You make this look really easy, Miss D!
I like the finished result.
July 10, 2018 at 1:11 am
Miss Demure Restraint
Mostly easy . . . the lettering is tedious, but I enjoy it.
July 9, 2018 at 8:17 pm
prenin
WOW!!! 😮
That is one amazing piece of work hun and so special!!! 🙂 ❤
I can't wait to show it to my God daughter's family, I'm sure they'll love it!!! 🙂 ❤
The birthday was a bit numbed by the passing of Pat's mum Nora (lovely lady) so we exchanged presents today.
Pat and I have been friends for over 40 years and I helped bring up all her kids, Dominic from 4, Rachel from 3, Emily and God daughter Becky from birth! 🙂
My last act was to get Emily through University where she got a degree with honours! 🙂 ❤
Emily and her partner Billy are business people, Emily currently taking a three year degree in psychology.
She completed the first year with full marks, but now she's pregnant with her third child, so may have to take a break until they can get something sorted out! 🙂 ❤
God daughter Becky and her partner Dean have four kids.
Leo is very smart, Richard is signed to the Manchester United Football Academy while Bonnie is an aspiring gymnast and little Vincent is clever for his age, but a terrible liar – I see a future in politics for him!! 😉 ❤
Leo and Richard are both trained boxers and have six packs, the first time I've seen this in children!!! 🙂 ❤
Leo won his last match so it looks like he may go professional when he gets older, so we'll see how it goes!
Rachel is a lymphatic specialist dealing with cancer patients and is very intelligent.
Her Husband Peter works with violent psychiatric patients and they have a daughter called Jessica who is a sweet kid! 🙂
Dominic has children from two relationships and is a businessman who is doing really well, so it will be interesting to see where it leads!!! 🙂
And to cap it all they adopted me as an honorary uncle, so I have a family! 🙂 ❤
Pity I can't post a picture here – they're a lovely and beautiful bunch!!! 🙂 ❤
Love and hugs!!! 🙂 ❤
Prenin.
July 10, 2018 at 1:13 am
Miss Demure Restraint
It sounds like you have a wonderful family there. It makes me happy you have them in your life.