So I was out the other day and I happened upon the cutest monogrammed outdoor flags. But, as in all things monogram, I always have a hard time finding a “J”. I don’t usually buy flags, but these were very elegant and I wanted one. I know I could go online and find exactly what I wanted, but a quick trip into Michaels for something unrelated, and I found myself looking for an alternative. I decided to make my own version from a wooden plaque! I got a little fancy with mine, but that is not necessary. The flags I had seen earlier that day were very simple.
Here is my version:
This is a perfect afternoon project.
Here are some of the supplies you’ll need:
- Wood plaque (Michaels, $6 with coupon)
- Paint brushes
- Ivory paint, Black paint
- Frog tape
- Stainless eye hooks (Lowes, 88¢)
- Stainless “S” hooks (Lowes, 88¢)
Not pictured:
- Spray sealer or brush-on sealer and foam brush
- Script liner brush (if you decide to add finer detail)
- Drill and drill bit just smaller than your eye hooks
- Paint the base with two coats of ivory and allow to dry.
- Tape off a rectangle with frog tape.
- Paint outer edges and back with two coats of black.
- Remove tape while paint is still wet.
- Print a monogram of your choice in reverse. (This is actually a flag I found for sale online.)
- Place face down and burnish with a pencil across the back to transfer the image.
- Image transferred
- Paint image using acrylic paint. Use a script liner brush if choosing to add finer details. I also added the rounded detail at the corners to follow the shape of the plaque.
- Seal with an outdoor approved sealer. I used the sealer shown , by Martha Stewart. It made my black paint smear a tiny bit because I probably didn’t wait as long as I should have before applying. (You can see a close up of that below. It really just looks aged a bit which worked out great actually.) A spray acrylic sealer would work perfectly.
You can see more about transferring images here.
The next step is to pre-drill holes for the eye hooks:
Add the eye hooks…
And you’re all set! Go hang it somewhere where all your neighbors can see it. You are indeed a crafting machine. 🙂
The “S” hooks are perfect for attaching it the sign. The only issue may be it sliding left or right easily. I’ll probably add a little piece of electrical tape or something around the holder on either side to stop it from slipping.
It’s perfectly at home in my Petunias, but it will end up in an empty spot by the mailbox. The soil in the ground there is a bit sturdier.
I would recommend sealing it with a coat of spray sealant every so often to keep it protected outdoors.
I hope you enjoyed this little project!
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to start gathering endless piles of junk because I drag so much crap home and then never find a use for it all treasures for our neighborhood’s annual yard sale next weekend. I better get a move on!
XO,
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Kim (TheKimSixFix) says
I love this! I like it a lot more than a flag since you can always read it! Beautiful!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Kim! 🙂
Cherie says
I really like this – well done !!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Cherie! XO
Beverley Leonie says
Wow. I have this flag and I removed it from the little flag pole because it had become scruffy and bleached out by the sun. What a great idea to reinvent it in wood!!!!!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Beverley! I loved the look of this flag online. I’m hoping my wood sign wears better 🙂
JaneEllen says
Love your monogram flag, very nicely done. Tried to pin but didn’t find it yet. Have to come back for it. Happy week
Christy K. James says
Thanks, JaneEllen!
Jamala says
I love this project.. I’ll have to copy-cat 🙂 it
Christy K. James says
Yes, please do, Jamala! XO
ECKDesign says
Liking this a lot! I have the expensive flag kind (only because I received it as a gift) but it has really faded down and really needed some sprucing up. Thanks for the idea and tutorial! 🙂
Christy K. James says
So glad you like it 🙂
Sherri S. says
I really like it! I too have problems finding a “S”. Would be great with a house address on it…
Have a blessed week!
~Sherri
Christy K. James says
Oh I love the idea of putting house numbers on it, Sherri! I almost like that better…maybe next year! 🙂
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
Oh need to do this too Christy! I LOVE it! Wood is definitely a better choice! Now another project to add to my “to-do” list. 😉 I need to switch out that awful Spring fail flag I made anyway! lol
Nancy
Christy K. James says
You’re so funny…I took down my bunny crossing sign too! I’m excited with how this little sign turned out. 🙂
Cathy says
Christy, I love this. Such a clever idea and so easily customizable… Pinned it…. Cathy
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Cathy! Someone else suggested adding your house numbers. I like that idea too! Have a great day 🙂
Trisha says
I love this! I am a sucker for anything monogram and I think this would be so much sturdier than a flag. Thanks for the tutorial!
~Trisha
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Trisha! 🙂
Andi says
You are a dang genius. I love it!
-andi
anna says
Love it !
Anna
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Anna 🙂
Krista @thehappyhousie says
Looks fabulous Christy!! Good luck with gathering your treasures to sell!!
Cindy Eikenberg says
Christy, oh, I’m so glad you shared this at Best of the Weekend – I totally want to make one! Thanks for bringing all of your fabulous projects to the party and I pinned them all (again!) 🙂 In case I miss you before Sunday, wishing you a happy and fabulous Mother’s Day!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Cindy!!!!
Meredith Wouters says
What a great idea! I have a plaque just like this, that I was wondering what to do with. Thanks for the great instructions. (Found you on Say G’day Saturday, and now I’m following you on Pinterest.)
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Meredith! So glad you stopped by!
Katie Goldsworthy says
That is so cute! Pinning to our Monday Funday board. Thanks for linking!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Katie!
Jody says
LOVE THIS idea! Thanks! I can make this for that hard to buy for person. And I need a J as well!
Christy K. James says
Yes…the perfect gift for someone! So glad you like it, Jody! 🙂
Lori says
Hello! I LOVE your wooden sign!! Would you be able to tell me where you found your design? I would really like to make one for our home! Thanks!
Christy K. James says
Hi Lori,
Thanks! I found my inspiration by googling monogrammed flags. Give that a try. 🙂
MiCa says
Hi there!
Love this!! Was thinking of making one for a Christmas gift and have two questions – 1) has the weight of the wood bent your sign holder at all? 2) how often do you respray it?
Thanks so much! Love your blog!
Michele
Christy K. James says
Hi Michele! The wood did not bend the holder at all. The sign kept wanting to slide though with the wind and all, so I wrapped a little black tape around the holder to keep it from sliding and it wasn’t even noticeable. I would definitely recommend respraying it every couple of months. I didn’t and by the end of Summer, it was just starting to get a few little dots of what looked like mildew, but it was in great condition overall and would have still looked like new had I taken a minute to respray it. This would make a lovely gift! XO
Pam says
What a totally cool idea! Love the way yours came out, looks amazing.
Christy K. James says
So glad you like it, Pam! Thank you 🙂
rndatc1 says
Just curious to see what size font was used. Thanks.
Christy K. James says
I don’t recall exactly since it’s been a while since I made this sign, but if I had to guess I would say between around 350-400.
Katie says
I love this sign! It is definitely on my to do list but I am wondering what kind of paint you used??
Christy K. James says
Thanks Katie! I used the folk art acrylic craft paint in the supplies photo. 🙂
Denise says
Hi – I just saw this and love love love it !!! can you tell me the size of the wood plaque please?
Thank you,
Denise
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Denise! It’s 11 X 14.
Kristen says
This sign looks great! Do you remember where you got your sign holder? Or what it’s called?
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Kristen! I know you can find the taller ones at Walmart, but I think I got this at Garden Ridge. I’m not sure if you have one of those where you are. Try any place that sells the small flags. I believe it’s called a flag stand.
Jeanette says
What a great idea! It turned out very pretty. I also just found “garden flag stoppers” that might help to stop it from going back and forth on Amazon.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Jeanette! It’s been a couple of years so I probably need to freshen mine up a bit for this Spring. I didn’t know there was such a thing as “garden stoppers”. Thanks for letting me know! 🙂
Amanda says
Could i put Vinyl letters on this Instead?
Christy K. James says
The vinyl would probably not hold up to the elements if you plan to use it outdoors.
Melissa Sink says
Just curious…..since you used craft paint and sealed it, have you had problems with the paint peeling as this is in the elements? I wonder if I should buy outdoor paint instead??????
Christy K. James says
Hi Melissa, No I have not had any issues with the paint peeling at all, just be sure to reseal it every couple of months with a spray sealer. 🙂