Hi lovely Friends!
I was yard saling this Spring and from a mile away as I was nearing one particular yard sale, I spotted a trash pile on the curb. It was mostly old yard decor, but I also spied a few decent pieces of wood. Now how sad is it that I would be more interested in what these nice people were throwing away than what they were selling? I asked if it would be okay if I took the wood, and of course they were so nice about it, but it’s much easier to take someone’s trash when they’re not sitting there watching you ha ha! No shame here. 🙂
Here is one of the pieces I snatched:
I figured I’d turn it into some kind of sign eventually.
And that’s just what I did!
I got the idea for this sign when I was in Kohl’s the other day. We were having my son’s iPad screen replaced and it was going to take an hour, so we strolled through the mall. I haven’t done that in ages!
Anyway, Kohl’s had a sign with this sentiment on it and I just loved it! However it was $40. Um no thank you. I knew I could make one for free, so I left it behind.
Have you ever made a sign before? It’s not too hard at all.
I started by cutting my wood to the size I wanted, then gave it a couple of coats of white latex paint.
Next I created my text in Photoshop Elements. These fonts are Felix Titling and Bickham Script. Then I printed it out in the reverse and lined it up:
Then I took a pencil and rubbed it over the letters on the back…
and it transferred the ink to my board:
I painted it in with black acrylic paint using a script brush from Michaels.
After I let it dry overnight, I sanded the surface lightly to remove any raised areas. Then I waxed it to seal it. You could use a spray acrylic sealer instead, I was fresh out.
The brush makes ALL the difference! You can see more about how to transfer images here.
This Thursday is our Décor Enthusiast’s decorating challenge and it’s all about gallery walls.
(Join our FB Forum here and join in the fun. Plus you can play along on Instagram!)
I knew right away that I wanted to create a gallery wall above our bed, and I thought this sign would be a perfect addition!
Here’s a sneak peek of it in my gallery wall:
You’ll have to come back Thursday to see it all. I tried to make it meaningful without spending a lot of money. Using other people’s trash helped. 🙂
UPDATE: Here you go…you can see how it turned out here right now!
XO,
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Sue Farmer says
You’re the best at “Trash to Treasure” for sure!! Love it
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Sue!! It would be a shame for this piece of perfectly good wood to end up at the dump! 🙂
Heather @ Viral Upcycle says
Trash.. love it!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Heather…sometimes trash is a good thing. 🙂
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
That is gorgeous! Love it and probably looks better than Kohls! 🙂
Christy K. James says
Aww thanks, Anele! I wish I’d taken a picture of that one for comparison!
Tracey says
Absolutely beautiful!! I have what might be a remedial question though: how do you print in reverse? 🙂
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Tracey! Not remedial at all! I share here how to do that: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/how-to-transfer-letters-old-school-style/ 🙂
Nanette says
Thank you for the transfer info Christy; great timing! I will soon be transferring images on an outside table (for the first time) and your tutorial by far looks like the easiest!
Christy K. James says
Oh good timing indeed! Good luck with your table, Nanette!
Rinny says
Love it!
Christy K. James says
Thanks! XO
Amy says
This is one of my favorites ~ and I love the song too!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Amy! 🙂
Heather J says
Love this and this song! Song writer is our hometown hero:) John Legend:) I am trying this method. This is gorgeous:)
Christy K. James says
How cool is that?! Thanks, Heather!
Ange says
Love it! What a simple but classy project. You are very gifted, thank you for sharing your craftyness with us!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Ange!! It is a pleasure to share. 🙂
Addie says
Love it!!! You have a good eye for trash!!!…….I mean that in a good way!!!!
Addie
Christy K. James says
Ha ha, I never met a trash pile I didn’t slow down for. 🙂
Addie says
Me too!!! I know how to be trashy!!!!……lolololol
Christy K. James says
LOL!!
Carol says
Love this & I’m always following your fab. page.
I can’t for the life of me figure out how to flip print on my computer. I have Adobe Photo shop Elements 9.
Is that your program? Can you tell me how to do it? or just send me a copy of it already done? I’d really appreciate any help.
Thanks.
Carol
Christy K. James says
I emailed you, Carol. Let me know if you didn’t get it. 🙂
Terry says
I just saw this same saying today at Hobby Lobby and loved it too. I love not only your sign but the price of it!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Terry…you can’t beat free! Several people mentioned that they loved that song, but I hadn’t heard of it before. I looked it up and it’s actually quite lovely. Maybe that’s where that saying comes from, and why we’re seeing it in a couple different places? I just thought the sentiment was so sweet. 🙂
janet says
I love your sign and the price tag. You are such an inspiration to me. I so look forward to receiving your emails and seeing all of your latest projects.
Christy K. James says
You are so sweet, Janet! Thank you!! I’m honored to have you following along! 🙂
Tania // Run to Radiance says
Love this! What a great find and what sweet words! Love that song. 🙂
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Tania! I didn’t even know it was a song…after several people mentioned it, I looked it up on iTunes. It is a lovely song! 🙂
Carol says
Homemade signs look so much better than store bought! Did you use a laser or jet printer? Looks great!
Christy K. James says
That is so true, Carol! I used an inkjet printer. 🙂
Lena E. says
love it! what font did you use? i would love to recreate on my sillouette.
Christy K. James says
Hi Lena! This is Felix Titling and Bickham Script. 🙂
Lena E. says
Thanks so much!! 🙂