Crocheted Arrow Farmhouse Sign

This might be one of my favorite projects.  It combines my love of crochet with my love for home decor (especially framed signs!)

I actually made this a year ago and use it in my girls room but love to bring it into the living room for Valentine's day.  I used this pattern to create the arrow (it's a paid pattern).  If arrows aren't really your thing or you are looking for a free pattern the possibilities with this idea are endless.  The only thing is you probably want something that lays somewhat flat.  I love the ideas of flowers, animals, these feathers, or even simple hearts. 

To make this sign I first crocheted my arrow.  Then cut a board to fit the size I needed.  To get the look of this board I stained it.  Once it was dry I painted it gray then heavily distressed the entire board so the colors sort of blended together.  Cut, stained, and attached the frame (quick tutorial can be found in this post or this one).  Then used hot glue to attach the arrow to the center.

I love the texture the yarn adds that paint just can't do.  Of course you could always add some vinyl or painted letters it would be so cute!

Here are a couple more colors.  These ones are in my little boys room.

Mini Farmhouse signs using 2x4s

I absolutely love farmhouse style decor and you can see more and more of it showing up in my home.  One of my favorite things are framed signs.  There is just something about a great quote or saying mixed with a rustic wood frame and I'm in love!  However I've found I don't have quite as much wall space for the quantity and size of signs I would love to have haha.  I have a few shelves that needed a little something and thought why not make some mini farmhouse signs.  I searched for some and they are really hard to find.  So I got to work and these little signs are the perfect shelf sitter.  The best part is they are super cheap...I used 2x4 scraps and some cheap 1x2s for the frame. 

 

Start  with your 2x4 cut the length to desired measurements.  Use your favorite technique to paint the front of your sign.  I like to paint mine the word color.  Add vinyl, paint sign color and once its dry peel of the vinyl and distress.  You can find a full tutorial in this post.

If you don't have access to vinyl this post has some great tips using the pencil method or you can use carbon copy paper for a similar effect.

 Once your sign is dry its time for the frame.  Cut your 1x2 the same length as the top and bottom or your sign. 

For the sides leave your top and bottom frame pieces in place and measure from the very top to the very bottom of the 1x2s.  Cut and stain your boards.  Once dry use wood glue to attach in place.  For extra stability you can use a nail gun as well.

That's it!  I love the endless possibilities of this project.  If farmhouse isn't exactly your style changing  the color of the frame and font style will make a huge difference. 

How to update your old Vinyl Signs

Chances are you have some vinyl signs in your home that you once loved but now aren't sure if it still fits in with your decor.  Instead of tossing them lets try to give it a new look.

Here's one I had in my house.  I love the quote but the colors and overall look were not quite right.  The after is quite the transformation.

I love the farmhouse look but if its not quite your style you can still use the same method just tweek the colors and the amount of sanding to give it the look you love.

Here's the Before one more time.

 Paint your sign, vinyl, everything!  I used chalk paint but I've used acrylic paint and it worked.  You want it to be a light coat on the vinyl.

 Once its dry gently sand the top of the vinyl by hand. Use a small amount and try to go right across the top of the vinyl.  Sand to your desired look.  (If you don't want a distressed look I've used my finger nail and scraped  all the paint off the vinyl without touching any of my board).

This kind of shows you the difference between sanded and not sanded. 

You can also sand and distress the rest of your board.  If you need to touch up some of the paint.

You can leave it just like this or move on the the frame section.

Cut, stain, and assemble your frame.  I like to use gorilla glue to attach it to my board and then add a few nails with the nail gun for support.  On a frame this size you can really get away with just the glue (I've only done this with gorilla glue I can't promise other glues will hold.)

Enjoy your new/old sign.

How to Make a Rustic USA Wood Sign

I love anything red, white, and blue and with the 4th of July just a week away I needed some decor.  I love the rustic charm of this sign and it's something that can actually be displayed year round. 

I used my scroll saw to cut out the USA silhouette but if you do not have access to one don't worry you can use paint, vinyl, or some scrapbook paper (how gorgeous would floral be!).  It won't have the same look but it will still be pretty darn amazing.  

*I'm going to share how to make the USA part with a scroll saw but if you are going with another method adjust to your needs.*

Supply list:

plywood -for map cutout

wood cut to size for your sign

1x2s for frame

paint 

stain (optional)

painters tape

miter saw for frame

scroll saw for map cutout

nail gun and nails for frame

wood glue

To get started I googled USA silhouette.  Go with a basic one especially if you are going to be cutting it out with a saw.  Copy and paste in a word document and size to fit your project.  Print and trace on your board.  I used thin plywood for this part.  I used carbon copy paper to transfer image to wood.   

 

 With a scroll saw carefully cut along the lines.  Paint blue.  

Now for the sign.  Paint your entire board white and let it dry.  Use painters tape to tape off your stripes.  Remember under the tape will be white you are leaving the red area exposed right now.

 Paint red.  I used my cute little helper.  

 Once it's dry pull the tape off and it will look something like this.  Next I sanded the entire board to give it a distressed look.  

 To give it more of an old look I rubbed a little stain over the paint and wiped it off immediately.  I did this on the stripes and the blue.

I forgot to take pictures to build the frame but its pretty easy I promise.  You are going to use 1x2s (small side showing).  Measure the length of the top and bottom of your frame.  Mark and cut boards.  Put in place.  Then measure from the top of your frame to the bottom of your frame to come up with the side length (see picture below).  Mark and cut.  Stain or paint for boards.  Once they are dry use a nail gun to attach directly to your sign.

Use wood glue to attach your USA cutout and let it dry.

Farmhouse Frame Tutorial

I am so excited about this frame and hope you are too!  I love the farmhouse look and have really been into the framing sign craze you see everywhere.  It doesn't quite work when you want to frame a picture though and this time I wanted the frame to more of a statement piece.  I knew I wanted to use this awesome cow print for my kitchen but this frame can really be used for anything.  I think it would be a gorgeous frame for family pictures.  It does take twice as much wood but it so worth it and depending on the size of your print its still around $1 maybe $2.  

Here's what you need: 

1x2x8 furring strips (these are the super cheap boards that are around $1).  You can use nicer wood.  *The amount needed is depends on the size of your print. 

wood glue

miter saw

Wood scraps (optional but very helpful)

nail gun

paint or stain

sandpaper

optional for the back-thin plywood and staple gun, and saw (jigsaw or scroll saw work best) or you can just tape your picture to the back. 

To start grab wood scraps and place on top of your picture  where you want your frame to hit on the sides.  I suggest giving yourself at least 1/4 inch on each side.

*If you do not have scrap pieces you an use anything you have on hand or you can measure the bottom and subtract 1/2" to get your next measurement.  I just like to do it the way above for visual purposes...easier to cut once.

Once you have your side boards in place measure the distance between the two boards.  Mark and cut your board.

Do the same for the top (should be the same length as bottom board.)  Now these two boards are going to be your guide for your side cuts.  Put in place (again at least 1/4 " in).

To get the lenght of your side boards you are going to measure from the very bottom of the bottom board to the very top of the top board (check picture below for reference).  mark and cut.  Do for both sides.

You should end up with something like this.  Sand.  Then paint or stain.

Next grab your wood glue and glue the 4 corners together.  Let it dry overnight (or if you are inpatient like me give a couple hours)

You can stop here if you want.  Its adorable but if you want to add a little something keep going.

This time the small side of your wood is going to be the side showing.  Lets start with the top and bottom pieces.  Measure the top of your frame mark on  your new board and cut.

Do the same for the bottom.

For the sides you are going to measure from the top of the top board to the bottom of the bottom board (just like last time just remember to have your new boards with the small side up!)

When you have your boards cut  it will look like this put together.

A little close up.

Stain your boards and use a nail gun to attach.  This is what your finished frame will look like.

Now you can tape your picture to the back or if you want it a little sturdier here's another option.

Tape your picture to the thin plywood and trace around your picture.  Cut out using your saw of choice.  I taped my picture to the plywood so it wouldn't slip but  you can just sandwich it between the back of the frame and the plywood.  Staple plywood to the back of the frame.  One word of caution...know where your staples will enter the wood.  I miscalculated and missed the frame putting visible holes in my picture.  Luckily I could shift the picture enough that it is hidden.  I would hate for you to do the same thing.

You really want it thin if you are going to hang it on the wall.

Enjoy your new frame.