How to create a Rustic Inspirational Wooden Sign

This article will teach you how to create a rustic inspirational wooden sign for your home. When you are decorating your home, you may have seen rustic signs in stores that cost a significant amount of money. These signs are not customized according to the wishes of each buyer, meaning that your family beliefs and traditions may not be represented.

Supplies Needed

Hot Glue Gun

Gorilla glue sticks

Rust-oleum Beachwood stain

white chalk paint

Nailhead trim

Wood - 1/4" X 4" X 24

Wall Stickers

Mod Dodge(Antique Matte)

Drill with 5/16 drill bit

Ruler/Pencil

hammer

Rope

Step by Step Instructions

With a custom sign, you can tailor the message to your family and choose the color scheme that is right for your home. This easy project requires only a few tools. The materials are inexpensive as well.

The materials you will need include wood for your sign, a drill with a 5/16 inch drill bit, and rope. You will also need wood stain, matte Mod Podge, and white chalk paint. You will also want to select wall stickers with whatever phrase or decoration you want on your sign. These stickers are available in craft stores or at the dollar store. You will also need paintbrushes, a ruler, and a hot glue gun. Make sure you buy a reliable brand of hot glue.

Use a piece of wood about 18 inches by 16 inches. Have the wood cut into four equal size planks either at home or at the home improvement store.

Measure where the holes for the rope will go. Measure about 1 inch from the bottom and 1 inch from the top of each plank. The spacing doesn’t have to be perfect since this is a rustic sign. Draw a line one inch from the outside of the planks. Draw a line down across the planks. Make pencil marks at approximately one inch and three inches height on the planks.

Use a 5/16 inch drill bit to drill the marked holes. This will be messy, and you will need to protect your surfaces or do this step outdoors.

Glue the planks together with extra strong hot glue. Make a bead of glue along the edge of each plank and firmly press them together. Allow the glue to dry before proceeding to the next step.

Use a rustic colored stain and cover your planks. Again, the staining job doesn’t have to be perfect since your goal is to create a rustic wooden sign. Smooth out the wood stain with a paper towel if needed. Allow the stain to dry completely before going any further with this project.

Use white chalk paint on a foam brush. Put a small amount of chalk paint on the foam brush and very lightly brush the paint across the stained boards. Use a gentle touch for the best effect. Go for a woodgrain effect, using the corner of the foam brush to make lines that are as delicate as possible. Allow drying.

Use Mod Podge to secure the wall stickers on your board in the arrangement you want. The matte finish will make the sign look distressed. The Mod Podge will dry clear. Spread the Mod Podge both on top of and underneath the stickers so that they will adhere entirely to the wood without any problems.

Thread the rope through the holes on the sides of the board. Cover the end of the rope with a piece of tape to make it easier to pull it through the holes. Pull the rope through from back to front, and in a sewing motion, pull the rope through each hole in the plank. The goal is to have the rope coming through the holes on each piece of wood.

Allow enough room to make a rope hanger, and then thread the rope through the other side. Secure the rope with firm knots on either side of the sign.

Add accent stickers like flowers to your sign using the same method as the lettering. You can be creative and choose anything that you would like in a rustic inspirational wooden sign. Spread the Mod Podge on the back of the stickers, adhere them to the board, and then paint over them with Mod Podge.

Hang your sign on the wall using the rope hanger and enjoy.

This project has medium difficulty and assumes that you have a basic level of experience with power tools. It is also helpful to have experience with a hot glue gun and decoupage techniques such as Mod Podge.

This project has excellent benefits for your home. By creating your own rustic inspirational wooden sign, you’ve saved a lot of money and practiced your crafting skills. Create more signs using this same method and hang them around your home or give them as gifts. When you give this project a try, you’ll gain more confidence in your crafting and woodworking skills and have a beautiful sign to show for it.