Trash to Treasure!

Check out this awesome sign I picked up at the Salvation Army (please forgive the fact that it's sideways - for some reason it wouldn't flip for me).  I picked this bad boy up for $2.  I brought it home and showed it to Stephen who was immediately confused as to why I would want that.  I showed it to my mom and told her that I was going to give it to my sister for Christmas (I was kidding) and her response? "How sweet!".  Really?  Because I think this sign is not one that I would give to anyone, even my sisters.  No, no, when I first saw this sign, I immediately knew what I wanted to do with it and keep it as is was not it.  My inspiration grew when I went here and saw this.

So, first, I spray painted it:

I then taped it off so that I could paint a border on it as well as paint the sides:

Next, I decided what I wanted my sign to say.  Because the board isn't that big, I knew that whatever I put on there had to be short and sweet and to the point.  That's when I went generic.  Once I knew what I wanted it to say, I played around with fonts on my computer and finally figured out which one I wanted and the size and printed it out.  I then cut them down and then colored all over the backs of them with a pencil.  Once I'd done that I taped them onto the board where I wanted to words to show up.

I proceeded to trace the letters with a pencil so I could see where I had already traced.

After I had traced all the letters, I peeled off the paper and could see the letters on my board.  This is what I will use to guide me in my painting process.

I then (very patiently) painted all the letters onto my board.  When I was finished, I went to town with some sand paper and sanded it down to make it look worn out and old.

Next, I watered down some brown paint and kinda wiped the board down with it.  Once it had finished drying, I sprayed it with a clear spray that gave it a glossy finish.

I then displayed it in our dining room for all to see when they walk into our apartment - including ourselves.  We need the reminder sometimes (often).

This was SUPER easy and you could do it with any piece of wood you can get your little paws on.  Cathe, at Just Something I Made used a cabinet door - super easy.  

Meanwhile, check out this beauty:

I went with my friend, Amy on Wednesday to help her at her school.  Little did we know that we were going to stumble upon a treasure chest of furniture that someone had just left for trash!  We both picked up one of these (and some other stuff) that we're going to work together to refinish.  I feel like I may be a bit too ambitious for my own good, but who can pass up a free chair?!?!

I'll keep you posted on the progress of this adventurous project!

I hope you're enjoying your weekend (and that your weather is as beautiful as ours is right now)!!!

I've linked up to these parties:

Tools Are For Women Too; The DIY Showoff; Making the World Cuter; Skip to My Lou; Between Naps on the Porch; Cottage Instincts; Keeping It Simple; Support Blog for Moms with Boys; Mad in Crafts; House in the Roses; It's So Very Cheri; Southern Hospitality; The Pumpkin Patch; C.R.A.F.T.; All Thingz Related; Silly Little Sparrow; Today's Creative Blog; Sugar Bee; The Gypsy Corner; Coastal Charm; House of Grace; These Creative Juices; Domestically Speaking; Thrifty Home; Someday Crafts; Me and My Bucket; Organize and Decorate Everything; My Backyard Eden; Blue Cricket Design; Just a Girl; It's So Very Cheri; Nikki's Nifty Knacks; The T-Shirt Diaries