Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Rustic Sign with Reclaimed Lumber

  Remember I showed you this sneak peek picture last week?  Well, today I'm sharing one of the projects I completed with that wood.    

I had been on the hunt (a.k.a. watching the side of the road) for the perfect wood for a project for our bedroom, but hadn't had any luck.  Then one day a couple of months ago, Hubby and I were cleaning out the shed and I came across these pieces of wood that went with the extra bed frame we had stored in there.  We put the bed in the garage sale pile and I kept the wood for myself.  I figured whoever bought the bed could find their own wood.  Anyways, they were perfect for the bedroom project so I rescued them.  There were actually 3 of them, but for some reason I only stuck 2 in the picture.  


BUT....the bedroom project has nothing to do with today's show and tell.  A week or so ago I received an invitation to a wedding shower for a cute young couple in our church who are getting married next month.  It was to be a household shower and gave the typical places they were registered, but it also mentioned that their style is rustic.  My wheels began turning on what we could get for them that would be cheap, but not cheap.  Know what I mean?  Cost effective/frugal/easy on the wallet.  You understand.

At first I was thinking the usual - Walmart gift card, bath towels, or crockpot, etc.  But then it dawned on me...a 3rd piece of extra wood...rustic style...no money involved...but meaningful.  I decided to make them a sign.  I already had almost everything I needed so there wouldn't be much money involved and it would be more meaningful than say a gift card.  That is, if it turned out ok.  Otherwise they might have had a mini-shopping spree.  Very mini.


But thankfully, I was satisfied enough with how it turned out.

1) I used my Cricut and some scrap paper to figure out the size of the letters, spacing, etc. and then marked it for Hubby to cut.
2) I used my vinegar and steel wool solution to stain it.  (Handy tip - be sure to wear gloves if you ever use this solution.  I didn't and my fingers still look like I dipped them in iodine and it's now 4 days later.)
3) I then cut out a stencil pattern using the Cricut and some Contact paper, and over the next couple of days I painted each section as I had the time.
4) I tasked Hubby with the job of putting in the picture hangers.  His left brain is much better at getting things straight on the first try.  These were the only things I had to purchase for this project.


Here it is all painted, but before I sanded it to finish off the rustic look.  This is only the 2nd sign I've made and I'm still learning.  There are things I wish I could have done differently, a little bit better spacing, etc.  But hopefully they aren't as picky as me.  Hubby's opinion is that only 1% of people in the world are as picky as me, so I was pretty much counting on that.


And here it is finished up in all it's rustic-ness.


Since I don't get to do "rustic" for other people very often, I decided to have fun with it and continue the rustic theme right on into the wrapping.



I started with brown craft paper, layered with a vintage sewing pattern, and topped with a vintage newspaper article (found inside the sewing pattern).  


I wrapped that with twine, added a small wooden spool from my collection, and tucked in a few Queen Anne's Lace that were growing in the yard.


I thought the whole thing turned out pretty cute, and the bride-to-be seemed to like it so I think it was a win.  : )


                                                

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16 comments:

  1. What a thoughtful gift. And I LOVE how you wrapped it! SO neat. :)

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  2. What a wonderful gift! Love the sign and Love the wrapping!

    sandraallen260@centurytel.net

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  3. I wish that I was getting married again and was going to your church....LOL...you did an AWESOME job on the gift!!!!!....Im sure they will love it!!!

    GOOD JOB!!!!

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  4. You did an awesome job on the sign. I think your husband is right about the 1% cause I don't see what you are talking about. :) :) Love the wrapping job. Nothing like a gift that someone really put themselves into it. That means a lot!

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  5. The sign was adorable, and it really seemed to be a hit last night! Enjoyed chatting (and eating) with you at the shower.
    From: The Lady Who Gave A Gift Card :-)

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  6. Your sign must have been a hit, along with the wrapping, so cute and different. Very clever and true to your sign.

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  7. What a great gift idea and I truly love the way your wrapped it - but I'm not sure I could have given the spool away!

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  8. What a lovely gift. I am hosting a Giveaway to win a 50 dollar gift card to the store HomeGoods. It would be great if you stopped by and entered. Thanks Anu

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  9. What a perfect wedding gift and all the more special that you made it! It turned out wonderfully and the wrapping is the icing on the cake! Ann

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  10. I love special little gifts. The fact that it was personalized is great! The wrapping paper was too cute!
    Who wouldn't love a gift wrapped like that? You'd almost hate to open it! Pat

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  11. I love it.. the sign and the wrapping!!! Looks adorable!

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  12. Love how it turned out, and it is definitely going to be a keepsake for the happy new couple for a lifetime! PS - what is a Cricut? It sounds like something I should know about!!!

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  13. Egads! Even how you package things....AMAZING! hmmm...too bad we weren't a million odd miles closer....'cause I wish you were at my kitchen table to chat this stuff over coffee.

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    1. Hi Cheyenne! I'm not sure if you'll see this or not, I never know how these replies work, but you have your settings set as a "no-reply comment blogger" which means I couldn't email you back. But I just wanted to say thanks so much for stopping by and leaving such sweet comments. It would definitely be fun to chat about this stuff over coffee!

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  14. Just wanted you to know how much I love your sign! Seriosuly! I have been looking for a sign to hang outside and this will be perfect!

    Thanks so much for inspiring me today!
    karianne

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Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I love hearing from you!

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