Today I’m sharing a fun Summer knockoff project. I love this sign from Pottery Barn. It sells for $69, but I knew I could easily make my own. I just so happened to have a scrap piece of wood in my garage, so my total out-of-pocket for this project was $0! Here’s my version:
I brought in my very first vase of Hydrangeas for the season too! I love them so much. They really remind me of Summer.
What’s that? You want to make a sign too? Great! Here’s a few tips…
To start, I spray painted my piece of wood black. This is actually chalkboard paint, because it was what I had but any black spray paint will do. I wanted a bit of black to show through when I sanded.
Didn’t I do a great job?
Then I gave it two coats of Annie Sloan chalk paint in Old White. Any off white paint will do.
While my paint was drying, I searched for a font that was similar to the one in the PB sign. I came close, but knew I would have to alter it some. The font I used was “BatangChe”. I use paint.NET to create my words and graphics. It’s a free photo editor and I am just comfortable with it. I typed out the words I wanted, to fit one sheet of paper. Then I reversed them, and went to blockposters.com to make it the size I wanted. You just upload your image and tell them how many pages wide you want it. It’s that easy. Here is a screen shot:
I wanted mine five pages wide. Perfect. It printed on six because of the borders, but put together, it’s five pages wide:
Just trim off the borders and tape together:
You can see how I transfer the printed graphics to my projects here.
Here they are transferred (I was working at night):
Then I painted them in with acrylic paint. After a light sanding, I gave it a coat of clear wax. Spray acrylic sealer would work great too.
We are lucky to be a mile from the ocean and a short walk to the water park, so I really feel like this is our Summer House!
Did I mention how much I love hydrangeas?
This sign was my Get Your DIY on project. In case you missed the memo, our theme for this Sunday’s party is “Knockoff Projects”.
Here’s what my awesome co-hosts knocked off:
Pottery Barn Inspired Rope-wrapped Mirrors House by Hoff
Ralph Lauren-Inspired Gold Striped Pillow Just a Girl and Her Blog
Pottery Barn Inspired Wall Art The Hankful House
Pottery Barn Knockoff Succulent Arrangement The Happy Housie
The fun starts this Sunday, June 1st at 7:00pm EST. Come link up your favorite knockoff projects or just come by to get inspired!
I can’t wait to see what everyone brings to the party!
One last peek at my Summer sign…
XO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Abby @ Just a Girl and Her Blog says
Beautiful job, Christy! Even with the transfer, I can’t believe you painted in those letters by hand! so awesome!! And I can’t wait to see the big reveal of your kitchen! Have a great weekend!
~Abby =)
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Abby! I can’t wait to share my kitchen 🙂 XO
Mandy Hank says
Love this sign Christy- and it fits perfect there. Thanks for the tutorial on how you do your letters. I need to try that!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Mandy! Have a great weekend! XO
Wendi @ H2OBungalow says
I love your sign! It sets the perfect tone for summer to start at the beach!! Thanks for sharing how you scale your graphics too…that’s always the challenging part for me:)
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Wendi! I have wasted so much ink and paper trying to get the right size font. Blockposters is much easier! Have a great weekend 🙂
Sherri Smith says
I am loving your version way more. Not sure if its the font or just that your’s is handmade verses the store made look; either way I really like yours! Oh yes, Hydrangea s are my favorite!!!
Hope your weekend is SUPER BLESSED…
~Sherri
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Sherri! Hope you have a fantastic weekend too 🙂
April Hoff says
Looks great, Christy! I can think of about 20 spots I’d like to hang a sign like that in my house! 😉
Christy K. James says
Thanks, April! Oddly enough, this was the only spot this sign would work in my house! Have a great weekend 🙂
Jackie Brown says
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Yvonne @ StoneGable says
What a great knock-off and you have a BEAUTIFUL dining room! I love that you can make something so amazing for such little money! Kudos to you!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Yvonne! XO
Krista @ the happy housie says
Fabulous Christy!! I love this – definitely pinning and I just might have to copy you (or pottery barn?!?).
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Krista! Copy away! 🙂
Andi says
Love the sign, love the hutch…
Now…kitchen!! 🙂
-andi
Christy K. James says
Ha ha it’s coming, I promise! I’ve been working in there non-stop 🙂
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
Love your sign Christy!! I feel the same way..with the water just down the road! We are lucky to live in “summer” homes all year long, right!? 😉
And….lol…I totally did not think your other post was wordy at all! But I’m with ya! I go back and read some of mine and cringe. ha
xo
Nancy
Christy K. James says
I go back and cringe at some of the old photos too lol. And yes, we’re so lucky to be right by the water! 🙂 XO
Erlene says
Love all your projects. Definitely inspires me to make more things on my own instead of buying them. Thanks for the inspiration.
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Erlene! 🙂