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Create Your Own Fall Sign Using Fall Stencils and Transfers

Create your own fall sign using fall stencils and transfers to use in your own home decor. Follow these step by step directions to make your own in little to no time! Can your house be decorated for fall if it doesn’t have this adorable plump little pumpkin in it? I think not. I love how sweet this craft is. This farmhouse DIY decor is so simple to create and personalize to fit your style. It looks so great on my mantle and yours will too. And the best part about it is that you can use this DIY Fall sign in so many spots in your home, and it will look great no matter where you place it.  With a piece of scrap wood, some paint, your favorite fall stencil, and a transfer, you can make this DIY Fall sign in less than an hour. You decide the color scheme, the size, the style, and the whole look to make this as unique, and personal, as you want. I’ll show you the steps, and you let your creativity run wild. So if you want to learn how to get this look in your home, let me show you how. Grab your supplies and let’s get started.  Make Your Own Fall Sign With Transfers and Stencils Stencils and transfers are so much fun to work with because there are so many options to choose from. I love that you can make your home decor exactly how you want it. Make and create something that fits your home, your style, your vibe, your way. And find joy in knowing that no one else can have the exact same thing. If this sounds like something you would be into, and I am sure it does, then you are in the right place. Follow along as I teach you step by step to make this Fall Sign with Transfers and Stencils. Supplies 12 x 12 pieces of wood or scrap wood Home Sweet Home Stencil for Pumpkin “It’s October Witches” Stencil Cosmic Roses Furniture Transfer Master’s Touch paint – Raw Umber, Titanium White, Grass Green, Ocean Green  Fusion Mineral Paint – Tuscan Orange  Paint Dabbers Small Brush Stencil Brush Transfer Tool – Flat edge Polyurethane Spray Heat gun Clear Coat, Matte How to Make Your Fall Sign with Transfers and Stencils Grab your large 12 x 12 wooden board or scrap wood. I painted mine with a base coat of white, with a white washed look. (It actually was an old craft that I didn’t love, so I painted over it to start again.) You decide what you look like best.  Grab your “Home” fall stencil, focusing only on the pumpkin part of the stencil.  With your finger dauber begin dabbing in some Raw Umber in the stem and vine of your pumpkin. Little spot with little details so dab carefully. Next with a thin brush, paint your pumpkin with the first layer of Tuscan Orange. A fun technique to have brush strokes in there. Dry with a heat gun to move quickly. Add another coat to make it pop. When pleased with your look, carefully remove your stencil.  Dry again. Use a blow dryer or heat gun to speed up the drying process.  Add your “It’s October Witches” Stencil to your sign. Hold in place as you add your brown paint. Use your dabbing method to help make sure there is no bleeding in your stencil.  Dry again. Apply a sealer to help with your transfer attaching smoothly. Use a clean flat brush to smooth it out all over your board. Remember your paint must be dry so you don’t overwork your sign.  Add some detail to your pumpkin by painting it brown in the seams with a small brush. Add some Titanium White to add some highlights as well. Add a bit of green to the stem area. Just adds a little something, something to the sign.  Grab your Cosmic Roses Transfer sheet and cut a section to add to your sign. Apply where desired. With a flat edge, press firmly on your transfer sheet to adhere to your sealed board.  Be sure your transfer is completely down before you begin removing the backing.  Tie in some blue colors to the pumpkin from the transfer with your Ocean Green acrylic paint. Add some fun new details to your pumpkin.  Once completely dry, apply a sealer to your finished sign. Use a Minwax polyurethane spray. What Types of Paint Do You Like to Use With Stencils? I am a big believer in using what you have y’all. So mostly, I will use Master’s Touch Acrylic Paint for my DIY Farmhouse Signs. I just like the price and the quality. But for this project, I busted out my Fusion Furniture Paint and am quite pleased with how it turned out. The beauty of crafting is having fun. Try new things and learn from your mistakes and embrace the wins. I promise you can’t go wrong with paint. And if you do, just paint over it and try again.  I am so pleased with how cute this little DIY turned out. This craft will bring all those fall vines to my home just in time for pumpkin spice smells to fill the aroma. This will be cute on my mantle, bookshelf, guest bathroom, front porch, wherever! Y’all this project is one to repeat for sure using whatever stencil you have in your stash. I hope you do! Looking for some fun and crafty DIY home decor ideas? Look no further than the Flippin Furniture blog. We have tons of tutorials to help you with everything from crafting to furniture makeovers. And be sure to follow us on Facebook for even more inspiration. Love our crafting tutorials and want to be a part of a crafting community? Join the Flippin Society today! Just pin this Fall Sign With Fall Stencil and Transfers tutorial below to find the instructions later!

Tammy Huls 0

How To Stencil A Pumpkin Fall Sign

Looking for a quick and easy DIY Pumpkin fall sign to compliment your autumn décor? When it comes to autumn, I enjoy decorating. That’s maybe because I really love the colors brown and orange, the colors of the season inspire me. Fall has arrived, and I believe there’s no time like right now to start decorating and embracing the fall season. There’s something so exciting about saying bye to the heat and hello to cooler autumn days. One of the best things about fall is the décor, and the idea that you can put up your decorations and keep them up all the way through Thanksgiving if you want to. Follow along with me in the video as I create a fun fall inspired sign, then use the written steps in the tutorial below to make your own.  DIY How To Stencil A Pumpkin Fall Sign I just couldn’t help myself.  Everywhere I look I see cute “Fall” signs… and pretty much any other short and sweet seasonal saying that you can think of. So, of course, we had to DIY our own version.  And you can, too, with this simple tutorial for how to make a front porch fall sign. Supplies for your Pumpkin fall sign: Your sign base Stencils Mineral Paint Acrylic Paint Paint Daubers Stencil Brush Paint Brush Floral transfer Transfer Tool Heat Gun Scissors Instructions for making your pumpkin fall sign: Start with your base and lay your stencil over it. Using your dauber, dab your brown paint where you want it on your stencil.  Take your orange paint and use a brush to paint your pumpkin. Dry it with your blow dryer Add some white paint into your pumpkin. Dry the paint with your blow dryer Cut the shape out of your paper. Take your transfers and place them on your sign where you want them.  Use your transfer tool and make sure that they are flat and nicely stuck down. Peel back your transfer paper. Take some black paint and dry brush over the sign. Frequently Asked Questions Do I need to use a sealant under a transfer?You don’t NEED to use a sealant, but it might help to make sure that your transfer actually sticks well. If you don’t use a sealant, you might just need to press your transfer down with a little extra effort. How to clean up a paint mistake?Cleaning up fresh paint can be as easy as using a baby wipe and dabbing or wiping away your mistake. Just be careful not to wipe off anything you don’t want gone. Looking for some fun and crafty DIY home decor ideas? Look no further than the Flippin Furniture blog. We have tons of tutorials to help you with everything from crafting to furniture makeovers. And be sure to follow us on Facebook for even more inspiration. Love our crafting tutorials and want be apart of a crafting community? Join the Flippin Society today! Just pin this DIY pumpkin fall sign tutorial below to find the instructions later!

Tammy Huls 0

How To Make A Halloween Wall Hanging

If you are looking for a great Halloween wall hanging this season to decorate your house with, but are not wanting to go out and buy something new, then this wall hanging upcycle tutorial might just be what you are looking for! It’s no secret that I’m a sucker for Halloween. It’s the crafts, the treats, the costumes… One of my favorite fun things about Halloween is creating decorations. This Halloween wall hanging was so fun and easy to make! If you are a fan of mod podge and decoupage then this is right up your alley!You are able to follow along with my tutorial to recreate the exact design or change the designs, colors and decorations to create something totally different and unique! Halloween Wall Hanging No matter the time of year, A canvas craft is one of my favorite crafts to do. There’s just something so special about using all kinds of different creative techniques to change a blank or old canvas into a piece of art. Follow along with this tutorial to see how you can do your own Halloween Wall Hanging and start decorating your home for the spooky season. Supplies for your Halloween Wall Hanging: Walling Hanging Canvas – I used an old canvas from Goodwill. Decoupage Paper Mineral Paint Paint Brush Scissors Mod Podge Heat Gun WoodUbend Mouldings Wood Glue Instructions for your Halloween Wall Hanging: Start with your wall hanging. Paint one coat of limestone paint. Add mod podge to a portion of your canvas. Take your decoupage paper and add it onto the wet mod podge. Add mod podge on the other section of your canvas. Add your other paper onto the wet mod podge. Paint mod podge on your canvas. Using a little bit of black paint on your brush, go around all the edges lightly and over the seam where the paper meets. Take Hazelwood paint and paint over the one side of the paper lightly. Next, use some limestone paint and add some over the Hazelwood. Take some of the buttermilk cream paint and add some of that over the limestone. Paint your decorations with the colors you choose. Glue your decorations down with glue. Frequently Asked Questions What do you use to decorate a picture frame? You can decorate your wall hanging however you like and you can use any color paint, any design paper and any decorations to add to your frame! This tutorial is completely customizable to you! How do you prepare a canvas? I just went ahead and gave my canvas a coat of light paint so that I have a fresh, blank working space to use. Just pin this Halloween wall hanging tutorial below to find the instructions later!

Tammy Huls 0

How to: DIY Picture Frame Makeover with Decoupage

If you are looking for a great new wall design without breaking the bank, then this frame makeover might just be perfect for you! I love easy and inexpensive DIY projects that deliver big results. I bought this old picture frame and made it new again! This design is so fun and beautiful! Paying for art to hang in your home can be costly, especially for things you might actually like, but with this tutorial you can go ahead and choose whatever color paint and whatever paper design you like to make an amazing picture to hang on your wall or give as a gift! It is super easy to make and completely customizable to what you love and what matches your aesthetic. Picture Frame Makeover This gray frame and floral design is just perfect for my home and it turned out so pretty! Follow along with this tutorial to see how you can do your own picture frame makeover and start hanging art all over the show! Supplies for your Picture Frame Makeover: Picture Frame Decoupage Paper – I used Textured Floral Left. Mineral Paint – I used Fusion Mineral Paint in Bellwood. Mineral Paint – I used Fusion Mineral Paint in Victorian Lace. Paint Brush Scissors Mod Podge Heat Gun or Blow Dryer Stencils – I used Butterfly Script. Paint Daubers Instructions for your Picture Frame Makeover: Start with removing the backing and glass from your frame and cleaning your frame. Paint your frame with your sage colored mineral paint, making sure that all your edges are covered. Wait for your 1st coat to dry. Take your cardboard backing and lay your decoupage paper on it to find the perfect spot that you want in your frame.  Cut the size out of your paper. Paint mod podge on your backing board, doing part at a time.. Stick your cut out paper on your board so that it sticks in the mod podge. Add the rest of your mod podge and stick the rest of the paper. Smooth out any bubbles with your hand. Dry it with a heat gun or blow dryer. Cover your paper with mod podge. Dry it with a heat gun/blow dryer. Put your stencil on the paper and using your dauber, press the white paint into the stencil. Dry the paint. Put your glass back in the frame. Add your decorated backing back into the frame, trimming the edges if needed. Frequently Asked Questions What do you use to decorate a picture frame?You can decorate and makeover your frame however you like. You can use any color paint and any design paper to add inside! This tutorial is completely customizable to you! How do you prepare a picture frame for painting?Depending on the type of frame, sanding a wooden frame and cleaning any frame is the way to go before painting. Just pin this frame makeover tutorial below to find the instructions later!

Tammy Huls 0

How To Repurpose an Old Door

Don’t throw out that old door just yet! Learn how to repurpose an old door into a beautiful bathroom wall decor piece, that you will just love hanging on your wall! Do you have an old door sitting in your garage or basement that you don’t know what to do with? Why not repurpose it into a beautiful new piece of decor for your home? With a little bit of creativity and some DIY skills, you can turn that old door into a gorgeous wall decor for any room. Check out this amazing idea for inspiration! Repurpose an Old Door Do you have an old door lying around that you don’t know what to do with? Well, look no further! In this blog post, I will show you how to repurpose that old door into a beautiful and unique piece to decorate your home with. I have had this old door for quite some time. So long that my husband took it back to the garage and it got buried under some times. I asked him to go and locate it so I could finally get around to making the bathroom wall decor I had been dreaming of. If you are like me and have TONS of projects you are wanting to get done now is the time to do them. You will not regret taking the time to make something old into something new. So gather up your supplies and pull that old door out of the back of your garage or basement and let’s get started! Supplies: Old Door Polyurethane Drill Screws Wire basket Towel Hook Steps: Prep your door first by cutting the door in half, or in the best place possible to work with. Continue to prep your door by wiping it down and sanding it. Get all the excess dirt and splinters off. Scrap the door and then sand it. This makes  Once your door is sanded and clean apply a coat of fast-drying polyurethane coat over it and allow it to dry. Gather some baskets and antique hooks and work with placement on where you wish to put them. Gather some baskets and antique hooks and work with placement on where you wish to put them. Choose what you wish to have on yours. You don’t have to stick with the ones I choose.  Ideas on How To Repurpose an Old Door There are lots of different things you can do when repurposing an old door. Instead of adding items like I did above, you could paint them and stencil sayings on them. You could even decoupage the inner parts to add some floral designs.  The possibilities are endless when it comes to decorating with an old door. Get your thinking caps on and just use your creativity to make something old into something new for your home.  What Can I Make Out of an Old Door? If you are wondering what do you do when you have an old door lying around and you’re not quite sure what to make of it? Well, never fear, because I’ve got some ideas for you! Make shelves coffee tables headboard for a new bed Wall shutters Jewelry Stand Dressing screen Really any idea is perfect for crafters of all levels. So get creative and see what you can come up with using an old door. You might be surprised at just how versatile they can be! Just pin this How to Repurpose an Old Door tutorial below to find the instructions later!

Tammy Huls 0

DIY Home Decor Ideas

Finding some simple and easy DIY home decor ideas can really be a blessing. When you are wanting to change up some of your home decor and need it to be on a budget then try these DIY decor tutorials, I am positive you will love them! If you’re like me, you love to decorate your home but don’t always have the money to buy everything you want. Here are some DIY home decor ideas that will help cheer up your space without breaking the bank. DIY Home Decor Ideas I love seeing uplifting quotes and sayings in my home. They bring me so much joy and really help me have a positive attitude throughout my day. If you too love that, then these DIY home decor signs will be perfect for your home as well. When you are needing to change up your decor, you can simply make that change using some stencils, floral transfers, and a little paint. I have lots of signs that I change out throughout the year. That gives me a new look when I am wanting, and more decor items to rotate. The best thing about these DIY wood signs is they can even be used on tiered trays, cocoa bars, mantels, and coffee tables. You can find many different ways to style and decorate wood signs. Give this tutorial a try and you too will see that the possibilities are endless when it comes to some stencils, floral transfers, paint, and wooden blanks. How to Use Floral Transfers and Stencils to Make a Sign Supplies: Wood Blank, Cabinet Door, or Window Stencil with Words or Quote Vigorous Violet Floral Transfers Transfer Applicator  Acrylic Paint Jumbo Daubers Sanding Block Scissors Steps: Spread out your vigorous violet floral transfer and cut out each floral design that you want to transfer. Cut out any elements you don’t want to use. Align the stencil over the floral transfer paper to find the right placement. Trim the extra off. Pull off the backing and be careful that it doesn’t fold over and stick to itself. Stick the floral transfers onto your sign backing and use the transfer tool to press the design onto the backing. Pull back the top layer to make sure it is sticking. Remove the top layer and sand any excess off the edges. Place the stencil on top of the tile and use your deep purple paint and user your dauber to dab into the words. Take the purple flower you cut out earlier and remove the backing. Place in the lower left-hand corner and use your transfer tool to transfer it onto your sign. Pull off the plastic to make sure the transfer worked. Trim the bottom and sand the extra on the edge. How to Use Floral Transfers and Stencils on an old Window or Cabinet Door Supplies Old Window or Cabinet Door with Wooden Frame Cosmic Roses Floral Transfer “Smile” Quote – Stencil Fusion’s Bayberry Paint Master’s Touch Acrylic Paint Transfer Tool Jumbo Dauber Heat Gun/Blow Dryer Scissors  Steps: Remove the knob on your window with a screwdriver from the back. Clean the glass with glass cleaner. You can also paint the back of your window to make it all pop!  I painted mine Fusion’s Bayberry. Pick which floral transfers you’d like to use on your window and cut them out with scissors. Pull the backing off and don’t let it come in contact with itself. Place on the glass and cut off any extra to fit. Use a transfer tool and press it out to adhere to the glass completely. Pull off the sticky top and push down any transfers that didn’t release and adhere to the glass. Push out any air bubbles. Once you’ve added your floral transfers, if you want to add any extra transfers to the piece, just cut out from your paper and repeat the same process to adhere the transfer to the glass. Be careful not to scratch any previous transfers. Place the stencil onto the glass where you would like it. Use the dauber to dab your paint into the words. Remove the stencil and wipe off any extra paint. Use the blow dryer or heat gun to dry. Place the stencil back onto the glass where you previously painted and offset it just a little. Use a white paint to go over the letters and make them pop. Just pin this DIY Home Decor Idea tutorial below to find the instructions later!

Tammy Huls 0

How To Stencil Your Own Projects

Stencil your own projects to make your own home decor in little to no time. Follow along as I teach you all the tips and tricks that you need to know about stenciling a wood sign. Stenciling Your Own Projects To stencil, your own projects are so simple, and can actually be a bit sassy.  Hence the stencil, “We Don’t Hide Crazy.” HA! They are also pretty budget friendly. And did I mention how you could easily complete a few of these projects, from start to finish, in less than an hour? Doesn’t all of that sound a little too good to be true. So once you have the wood, the metal, the paint, and the stencils, you are ready! I know I am ready to teach you. I am so glad you are here with me as I share my tips and tricks for getting this look for your own desired space wherever it may be. Let’s get started! Learn to Stencil Your Own Projects So many pieces of wood/metal and so many stencils that are just screaming for you to show them some love! And I am here to give you that little bit of encouragement to love them. I am happy to inspire you to work with them. I am excited to teach you step by step how to properly take that piece of wood/metal and a fun stencil from boring to beautiful in little to no time. Painting and stenciling projects is such a simple way to dress up any space in your home, office, camper, classroom, WHEREVER! Follow along as I walk you through this customizable DIY craft that will leave you excited to make many, many more! Picking the perfect paint color for your base coat and your accent color is the easy part. The hard part is determining which exact stencil you love the most. Believe me, when I say, there are just so many great stencil options out there to choose from. Don’t worry though, once you have become a master at painting and stenciling your own signs, you won’t want to stop. So if you happen to make one for every room in your home with just a piece of scrap wood or metal tin, that is fine. These projects make perfect gifts for friends and family. So you can keep on painting and stenciling for as long as you want! Are you ready to give it a try? Grab your supplies and let’s go! Supplies: Wood board panels Metal Tin “Number Stencils” Stencil “God Bless America” Stencil  “We Don’t Hide Crazy” Stencil “I Pledge Allegiance to The Flag” Black, Tan, White, Gray for base coat  Master’s Touch Acrylic Paints – Black, Warm Gray, Titanium White, Dark Brown, Red  Dixie Bell Satin Clear Top Coat Sander  How to Stencil Your Own Projects Grab your wooden board scrap wood and apply a base coat, covering completely. Don’t forget your sides to give a finished look. You can stain your wood or leave raw, if you prefer this look instead. Use a blow dryer or heat gun to speed up the drying process.  Determine which stencil to add on top of your wood piece.  Once dry, grab your desired color(s) for your stencils by squirting on a plate.  Lay your stencil down on your board, paying attention to the sides and spacing. Always have a visual plan before you start adding your paint.  With your pouncers or finger daubers, begin to press your paint gently into your stencil in the desired areas you choose.  If you are adding multiple colors to your sign, determine which colors to add first and complete all of those desired sections before moving on to your next color.  Once you are done filling in the stencil, pull it up carefully.  If by chance you go over a bit, you can use a baby wipe to help you clean up that area while it is still a bit wet.  If you want to add some texture detail to the sides of your sign, simply sand a bit or add some black edging with your paint dauber.  To complete, spray your board with a minwax polyurethane spray. Certain thin wooden signs can have 2 holes drilled up top so you can add twine to allow for these stenciled signs to be hung. This makes it so they are not just resting on a mantle or bookshelf. Don’t you just love options? How to Add a Stencil to a Metal Tin Keep your patina look or paint if desired. I like it as is personally. Tape your “God Bless America” stencil in place, since it is on a curve using blue painter’s tape.  With your pouncers or finger daubers, begin to press your dark brown paint gently into your stencil phrase on your metal tin.  Use a blow dryer or heat gun to speed up the drying process. Once you are done filling in the stencil, pull it up carefully.  You do not have to apply a sealer over the top of the metal. Do You Have To Tape Down Your Stencils? Y’all I do not ever tape down my stencils when I am working on a flat surface, because I like to cheat as I am stenciling. Sneaking a peak as I add the paint lets me know if I need to continue or make any changes while I am crafting. But when working on a round surface like this metal tin, I used tape to keep me straight and sturdy throughout the process. Sometimes a little bit of tape is a good thing.  What Are the Must Have Colors to Have to Stencil my own sign? If you have been here for a while, you know I am a neutral kind of gal, through and through. So my answer to this great question is super easy. Neutral colors are my jam! I use dark browns, black, white, and grays in multiple shades for most of my projects. That does not mean you have to. From time to time I will pop in some bold funky colors, and I promise they turn out just as cute! I like Ocean Green and Lake Blue from Master’s Touch at Hobby Lobby for a beachy vibe. Just have fun and be creative whatever you decide. The best part of stenciling is if you don’t like it, just paint over it and try again! These crafts are pretty forgiving, and customizable projects which makes them so wonderful. Wouldn’t you agree? Just pin this how to stencil your own projects tutorial below to find the instructions later!

Tammy Huls 0

How To Make Funny Signs for Home Decor

Learn how to turn your craft abilities into a little humor for home by making funny signs using stencils and paint that you will not be disappointed in. Y’all. If you like to giggle and craft, then this post is for you. I have a pretty big sense of humor and love anything that can make me smile. These DIY Funny Signs are just too cute and comical to not craft. They are bound to make any guest who stops by your home smile, and that is always my goal. You know you giggled when you read those signs. Don’t deny it!  I will be honest. I didn’t love how thin these pieces of wood were when I ordered them. But I sure am loving them now. They are so thin and light that I can easily poke holes right in the top. Then all I have to do is simply attach some twine to be able to hang these cute DIY Funny Signs anywhere I want in my home. And don’t worry y’all, if you don’t have these exact pieces of wood, they turn out just as cute with any piece of scrap wood, some paint, and an adorable stencil. So if you want to create this look for your home too, grab your supplies, and let’s get started.  Make your Own Funny Signs For Home So what do you think about these stencils? Aren’t they just so funny? They definitely bring a smile to my face! AND crafting with them to make a comical DIY for my own home, just makes them even more special. I decided to stick with my neutral color palette so it would fit in with the rest of my farmhouse decor. But you don’t have to! With a craft like this, you get to determine the size of your wood, the colors, and the amount of detail. The best part is I did it all with some supplies I have had on hand. (I ordered a big bundle of those wooden boards from Amazon.) Pretty great, right? Let me teach you how to create these signs from start to finish. Just check out these simple steps below!  Supplies: Wood Board Panels Basecoat of your choice of color paint – light tan/cream & black “Please Excuse The Mess” Stencil “You Drink Too Much” Stencil – The Stencil Smith Finger Daubers Heat Gun Jute Twine Electric drill How To Make Funny Signs for home decor Grab your thin wooden boards and apply a base coat of paint. You determine the color(s) that works best for your decor. I went with a light tan for one and black for the other. But you do what looks best for your decor. Dry completely. Use a blow dryer or heat gun to speed up the drying process. Once dry, grab your desired color(s) for your stencils by squirting them on a plate.  On our first DIY Funny Sign, carefully apply your stencil, “You Drink Too Much” in place on your board. I used my light tan board for this sign. With your pouncers or finger daubers, begin to press your paint gently into your stencil. I just used black for the letters for this sign. Once complete, gently remove your stencil.  Add some dimension to your sign by running your finger daubers along the sides. To me, it looks a bit boring without it. Set aside. Bring over your next board. I painted my board with a black base. I used the light tan to add lettering with my stencil.  Repeat the steps from above to add your next stencil, “Please Excuse the Mess” for your DIY Funny Signs Set. When dry, poke two holes into the tops of your boards using a tiny drill bit.  Use a jute/twine/leather cord to pop through holes. Create a hanger for these DIY Funny Signs to be displayed in your home for all to admire.  Should You Use Just One Color When Filling In A Stencil? For these signs, I did just use one color for the whole sign. But you do not have to! You can mix and match as many colors as you want. Since I prefer the more neutral colors in my home decor, I tend to stick to that color palette. But y’all do not have to do that. Just have fun and enjoy the entire crafting process, whatever it might be. ANNNNND, the beauty of a stencil is if you don’t like how it looks, no big deal. Just repaint and start from scratch!  What To Do If Your Sign Looks a Bit Boring? Y’all! I am a fan of sweet and simple when it comes to some crafts. But I don’t ever want my project to look unfinished. That is why I love the distressed look so much. (Ha, that explains why I do it so often.) To get that look, just run a bit of black paint on your finger daubers along the edges of a sign. Don’t push too hard, as you are just adding a new dimension to your sign. Sometimes I even use a sander to roughen up the edges too. Just remember not to go too crazy when distressing friends. Let me know what you think of this technique. It is an easy way to boost your boring sign to something beautiful. See you next time! Just pin this how to make funny signs for your home tutorial below to find the instructions later!

Tammy Huls 0

DIY Distressed Wood Signs

In this step-by-step tutorial, I will teach you, from start to finish, how to make your own DIY Distressed Wood Signs. Scrapwood, paint, stencil, and a sander are all you need! If you are wanting this same adorable look for your home, let me walk you through it!  There is not a piece of wood that I don’t love. No matter the size or shape, I LOVE it. Why you might ask? Well, because I can make adorable DIY Distressed Wood Signs with any piece of wood. So why wouldn’t I love it? Being able to create my own home decor exactly how I want it makes me happy. I bet you feel the same as I do. Or else, why would you be here? DIY Distressed Wood Signs I told you I love wood, but I did not tell you how much I love stencils, yet! I LOOOOVE stencils. Stencils are the best way to select your style, size, and overall satisfaction when creating a DIY Wood Sign. The best part is that all you need is a piece of scrap wood and a stencil of your choosing. I love The Stencil Smith personally, but really any stencil will be just fine. Next, just determine your paint colors, and you are set. You too can make your own home decor to match your style by following these steps below.  Supplies 18×12 & 16×12 wood boards Black – Fusion Mineral Paint Master’s Touch Acrylic Paints – Warm Gray (Tan) “What I Love Most About My Home” Stencils – from The Stencil Smith  “Hangry” – from the Stencil Smith   Minwax Fast Drying Polyurethane Clear Satin Sander – 220 grit How to Make Your DIY Distressed Wood Sign Grab your large wooden rectangular boards. You determine the sizes. Apply a coat of black paint all over your entire board. Don’t forget your sides to give a finished look on both boards. Use a blow dryer or heat gun to speed up the drying process.  Once dry, grab your desired colors for your stencils by squirting them on a plate.  Lay your stencil down on your board, paying attention to holding it in place as you work.  With your pouncers or finger daubers, begin to press your light-colored paint gently into your stencil. With a large stencil, I start at the top and work from left to right. Once you are done filling in the stencil, pull it up carefully.  Allow your sign to dry completely before moving on. To get the distressed look, grab your sander with 220 grit. Simply go along the edges of your sign, being careful not to do too much. It will remove the paint that you placed at the beginning of the craft. Wipe debris clean. To seal your sign, add a layer of Minwax Fast Drying Polyurethane Clear Satin starting from the bottom of your sign. Going in lines from left to right to ensure you have complete coverage all the way up on your board. Follow directions on the can for how far to hold the can from the board.   If you wish to hang your sign, attach the hardware to the back.  How Do You Determine What Size of Wood to Use? I do not have a fancy pants answer for this. And you might even laugh at my honesty. But when I want to make a sign, I do 1 of 2  things. One option is, to find a stencil that I want to use. Then I will hunt down a piece of scrap wood that will fit nicely. The other option is if I already have a piece of scrap wood the size I want,  I stick with it. Then the hunt begins for a stencil I can add that will fit. Ha! I told you it was not a fancy pants answer. I believe in working with what you got and enjoying every minute of it.  Which Thickness Is Best When Working with Stencils? If anyone ever tries to tell you thickness doesn’t matter, they are wrong. I love to use the 7 Mil Mylar Options when I am working on a smaller project. They are sturdy enough for a limited area to stencil. But if I am stenciling a large sign, I always buy the 10 Mil Mylar Option. They are sturdy. They will last. And, they are easier to take care of so you can use them time and time again. To be honest though, if you take your time when stenciling, you can use either. Just pin this DIY Distressed Wood Signs tutorial below to find the instructions later!

Tammy Huls 0

How To Revamp a Mantel Clock

Learn how to turn a mantel clock into something new. We’ll show you an easy way to revamp a mantel clock. You will be impressed, I promise. Y’all don’t you just love when you go picking through some old furniture and find a real gem? When I spotted this little, old, wooden Mantle Clock, I was so stinkin’ happy. I could totally picture it as a beauty once again. Watermarks, ugly placard on the front, and wear and tear… who cares? A makeover on this old thing was just what it needed. And I was happy to do that. And I knew it would not take much TIME at all… See what I did there?   A couple coats of paint, a stencil, and some Farmhouse style love was all it took to complete this makeover.  I love how I made this clock “Alive and Ticking” once again. Ticking in terms of cuteness – an actual battery would have to help with the literal ticking! If you are wanting this same look on an old clock, grab your supplies, and let’s go! I have the step-by-step instructions for you… but do you have the time? I love many things. My husband, my whole family, my dogs. But I can not forget my love of stencils and old furniture! Oh, I love them all. And don’t you just love how this old water-marked wooden clock can be transformed in little to no TIME? The best part of this project is how unique you can be when crafting something like this. You determine your paint color, your word to stencil, and your overall vibe. Go Farmhouse like me, or bright and Boho! It is up to you. Follow the steps below, and just be sure you are having a good TIME while doing it.  Supplies: Wooden Mantle Clock Home Stencil – “ALWAYS” Miss Lillian’s NO WAX Cholk Paint – Italian Lace (taupe/tan)  *or your choice of paint color Paintbrush Spray Paint: Bronze Black Paint Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Paint Black Soot Paint Dabbers Paint daubers Heat Gun/dryer Sanding block Spray Polyurethane  Steps to Revamp a Mantel Clock Makeover Prep your Wooden Mantle Clock by carefully removing the innards. Spray paint the circular piece that helped the clock rest back in easily that you removed from the wooden base. I used a bronze color to give it the oil rubbed effect. Apply 2 coats.  With a sanding block, rough up the wood a bit all over your mantle clock.  Wipe clean with a baby wipe to remove debris and dust. Use a heat gun or blow dryer to speed up the drying process.  Grab your desired paint color and paintbrush. Begin to cover your entire mantle clock. Don’t forget the back and bottom too. Allow time for your paint to dry completely. Use that heat gun or blow dryer. Apply 2 coats of paint to your clock. Remember to keep all of your brush strokes going the same direction. Repeat steps to dry before moving on to the next step.  Grab your desired word to stencil on your craft. I chose the term “ALWAYS.”  But you can choose what you like best. Ideas to consider: Family, gather, time, love, together, memories Lay your stencil down on the bottom section, making sure it is centered. Start applying your paint using finger daubers and gently working from top to bottom applying paint over your desired stencil area. I used a black color.  Dry again.  To pull out the detail of the edges, grab your black acrylic paint and your paint daubers. Lightly rub along the edges to help the black pop. Careful in the center around your circle, going a little heavier than on the outside.  I will stop here because it is my simple farmhouse style. But if you want to add any more detail, feel free to do so. Think flowers, ribbon, jute, etc. just be creative and have fun.   Once completely dry, apply a top coat to seal your hard work with your fast drying Minwax Spray Polyurethane.  Pop back in your clock innards when dry and determine what to pair it with on your mantle? So cute! But, hmmm. A plant? A candle? Maybe a sign? Check out this tutorial for an idea.  Why Do You Want To “Rough Up” the Wood? Roughing up the wood, with a sanding block or anything gritty, is so important for many reasons: It removes any finish that may be on your wood to begin with to give it a clean base to start It helps removes any scratches or tiny dents to give a more even surface Most importantly, it allows the new paint to adhere easily.  Can I Glaze the Face of the Clock? For this type of clock face, I would say NO. Since the face is so slick, I don’t think anything would easily adhere to it. It might be possible to add a rusting effect on there, but I think it turned out great as is. But you know me, I do enjoy a distressed look all the time, so that is a great question! Just pin this How to revamp a mantel clock tutorial below to find the instructions later!

Tammy Huls 0

Craft Your Own Floral Home Sign

This floral home sign using transfers and stencils is going to be the perfect addition to your living room wall! Follow along step by step as I show you how to make your own using just a piece of wood, stencils, some paint, and a floral transfer! When you are crafting one project, are you thinking in your head of all the other projects you could be doing next? Are you picturing where you can decorate with that future project, even before you have even finished it? You may even be thinking this will make the perfect gift! That my friends are my thought every sing day. Everyday! Crafting one project just leads to inspiration for the next. These floral transfers were all the inspiration I needed for my DIY Floral Home Sign… and I got it while finishing up another project. I know I can’t be the only one who is always thinking ahead when it comes to crafting. DIY Floral Home Sign Using Transfers and Stencils Painting pieces of wood of all shapes and sizes makes me happy. Painting pieces of wood that are shaped like a house makes me even happier. Slapping a stencil on that wood with a pretty floral transfer… well, that is what you call being on CLOUD 9. Y’all. I am on Cloud 9 for sure with this craft. Using leftover pieces of a Prima Floral Transfer to make it even more special, has my heart going pitter-patter. This DIY craft using transfers is simple. It goes to show that nothing ever should go to waste. Save those old pieces of wood, no matter the shape or size. You guys it is possible to craft with the unused parts of transfers and scrapbook paper. The possibilities are endless. You can truly turn those scraps into something AMAZING!! Mix and match those paint colors to accent your home or office. This craft is just so versatile based on whatever you choose to use. Just follow the steps below and have some fun! Few questions though. Are you keeping this for yourself? Are you making one for your neighbor? What about your niece who just got married? Doesn’t she need one in her home? Supplies: Wooden sign – Preferably the shape of a home  Algonquin Fusion Mineral Paint  Masters Touch Acrylic paint   Sunflower Farms by Prima ReDesign Prima Transfer Tool HOME Stencil from the Stencilsmith Paintbrush Paint daubers Heat Gun/dryer Sanding block Spray Polyurethane  Steps: Grab your home-shaped piece of wood. Paint your wood sign covering it with a base coat, preferably chalk based paint –  color of your choosing. Don’t forget to do the sides. It doesn’t have to be a thick coat because we will distress the boards. Dry completely with a heat gun/dryer to speed up the process.  Touch up any spots that you may have missed. With your leftover piece of floral transfer, or new piece. Whatever… just get a cute floral transfer. Determine the pieces you want to use on your board by moving them around before committing. Remember to keep the backing on your transfers until you are ready to apply them to your project.  Lay your transfer down on your wood up on the rooftop. Press it down firmly using your plastic tool that came in your transfer kit. If you ever have a bubble, just carefully pull it up and try again.  With your sanding block, lightly rub the edges to remove any excess off sides of the wood sign.  Apply transfers, remembering to leave enough space for your stencil so it rests only on the wood.  Grab your HOME stencil and your finger daubers. With dark brown acrylic paint, begin to lightly tap your small amount of paint. Pushing lightly and using small amounts of paint is this trick to not having your stencils bleed through on the board.  When finished with paint, set aside to dry. Or, use a heat gun or hair dryer to speed up the drying process. If you feel your sign needs a little more, feel free to add some twine, jute, string, or even ribbon of your liking, and unravel a bit so you have some to wrap easily. Apply a thin line of hot glue to start your wrapping, to help it stay in place. Wrap around several times to make it thick. Cut and hot glue the end to secure. I personally am using mine as is! Last but not least, enjoy your simple DIY Floral Home Sign, anywhere you decide to put it.  Where do I find Floral Transfers? There are several places you can purchase floral transfers from. I can find some great floral transfers on Amazon but shop Prima. Prima has a great selection and I love their Floral Transfers so much. They are cute and so easy to work with. I know you will love them Wasn’t this so simple and so much fun? I think it was cute, simple, and a great way to use up those scrap pieces. Just pin this Floral Home Sign tutorial below to find the instructions later!

Tammy Huls 0

How To Seal DIY Projects

Just finished a DIY project? Check out this tutorial to learn why and how to properly seal DIY Projects! I had such a fun time stenciling the perfect quote onto this family heirloom we have in our family now. This was my husband’s uncle’s milk jug. One day I asked my husband if he knew where we had stored this old milk jug. I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it. When he told me he had found it I was so happy! I had the perfect stencil and wanted to use it as my new front porch decor. Stenciling this milk jug was the best thing that has happened to it and now I am going to teach you to seal it! Sealing DIY Projects Are you a crafter who likes to make your own projects? If so, you know how important it is to seal them properly. Sealing your projects helps keep them looking new for longer and prevents damage from accidental spills and exposure to the elements. No matter if you are gifting these craft projects as gifts or keeping them for yourself it is important to know how and why to seal them. Check out these tips and tricks below for sealing DIY projects and ensure your hard work lasts a really long time. Supplies Needed: Paint Brush Dixie Bell Top Coat – Clear Coat in Satin I used Dixie Belle on these projects but have since transitioned to Fusion 🙂 – Fusion Tough Coate, Matte Quick Dry Polyurethane in the Can Spray Polyurethane Steps to Seal A Project: Pour some fast-drying polyurethane from your can into a bowl.  Dip your brush into the bowl of polyurethane and then start brushing your brush over the milk jug.  Make sure you cover every inch of the jug.  You will see the shine appear as you go. This makes it easy to see which areas you have not covered.  Finish off by doing the top and inside that you can reach.  Be careful if your milk jug is rusting like mine and leaking out the bottom. It is is just be sure not to get the rusty drippings on the paint brush you are using to seal your jug with. Does Polyurethane Yellow Your Craft? Yes, it will turn some things yellow but I do not typically use it on a white background. Try to avoid having a white background so you can avoid the yellowing it can cause.  Why Should Use Fast-Drying Polyurethane in A Can vs Spray? I do find that the spray can is much quicker and easier however I mostly perfer to use the one you apply with a paint brush vs. spray. Applying with a paintbrush is more accurate and you can see exactly where you are applying it. I just feel that painting it on is way better than spraying it on. You will see me using both but when time allows I will always paint the sealant on. How to determine if you should seal or not seal your project? You can debate this all day long. I typically always seal. I do this to add a glossy clear finish to my projects. However, it is always best to seal when you Modge Podge, stencil, or use transfers. It will help hold things in place and give it good protection as well as presentation.  Hope these tips and tricks help when it comes to adding the finishing touches to your DIY projects. Keep crafting and finding joy in your creativity. Just pin this How To Seal DIY Projects tutorial below to find the instructions later!

Tammy Huls 2