Saturday, August 28, 2010

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:


23 comments:

  1. Kari! My mom gets awesome stuff at Salvation Army and Goodwill all the time! I think the best deals probably come when u have time to go a lot! I need to blog and share some fun things with u. I might just email though bc Im not too great at blogging! I miss u! I know if you were close we could do projects together! :)

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  2. ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS!! You really made ME look good with your sign makeover!! Thanks so much for linking.

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  3. The sign is great! Thanks for the inspiration. :o)

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  4. I LOVE your sign. It looks beautiful and you found the perfect spot for it! Thanks for the inspiration! Becca @ Adventures in Decorating

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  5. What a great re-do!! Now I'm gonna have to go hunt down an old sign too! :)

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  6. You did great with your sign and i love the place you hung it too.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  7. I love it!! Want to make one for me? :)

    Thanks for linking to Messy Monday!

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  8. Fabulous job! I love the sign! Sweet and to the point!
    crazycraftbugs.blogspot.com

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  9. great sign, can't wait to create my own!

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  10. Nice job...I really like the distressing and it fits in your dining room perfectly!

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  11. Wow...what an eye you have! It looks perfect above your hutch!
    Visiting from It's So Very Creative...
    Theresa

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  12. I love signs and you did a great job on yours. What is the size and name of the font? That's the hardest part for me to decide on.
    Cheers!
    Rita

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  13. very nice, i really like it. Want to do one for myself, but i just dont have the patience or TIME yet.

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  14. Your sign looks great and that FREE chair is sooooo pretty...luv that style!!! Thanks for coming to my NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAYS PARTY...hope you are having a fun time here!

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  15. Very cute sign. I love the way it looks over your hutch. Great job!

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  16. Great job on the sign, and I think your chair finds are terrific.

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  17. Gorgeous! I love this and I love that when you make your own sign you totally get to choose what you want on it!

    Thanks for linking up to Upcycled Awesome!

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  18. i laughed at this post, funny. turned out cute-you are so patient to paint by hand!

    new follower. come visit me sometime (:

    http://lollyjaneboutique.blogspot.com

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  19. OMG that is toooo cute!!!!!! Thanks so much for linking up to gettin' crafty on hump day :0

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  20. Very pretty! Thanks for linking to We're Organized Wednesday.

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  21. Awesome re-do! Thanks for linking up to Mad Skills Monday!

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