How to Make a Wooden ABC Sign

Not only am I a teacher, but I am a soon to be mother. And when I’m not creating for the classroom, I am in search of the perfect nursery. I am a lover of barn wood and lettered signs, but my patience and wallet disagree. Imagine my surprise when this week, I totally threw together this little ABC wall hanging and DIDN’T SAY ONE BAD WORD THE ENTIRE TIME. And it came from my own imagination. And, I only spent about $20.00.

1. Go to Lowe’s. In the lumber section, get 2 pieces of 4×6 wood. They should be $4.58 each.

2. Next, go to the picture hanger aisle. Get picture hangers. I bought a pack of 6 for $1.50. They are the kind that look like pointy teeth.

3. Mosey on over to the paint aisle. Get a can of ebony stain. I used Rustoleum, but any ebony will do–half pint is MORE than enough.

4. Next, drive your crafty self to Michael’s where you will purchase vinyl letters, hopefully with a 40% off coupon. I used 3 inch, Helvetica in white. They are found in the stencil aisle.

Other things you will need: yardstick, hammer, some type of sponge or paint brush, a bowl of water, and 2 old rags. I won’t insult your intelligence by posting photos of those, I assume you are familiar with those items 🙂

Okay, so this next part is super easy. You will want to shake your stain (shaken, NOT stirred). You are going to drench your rag in the water and wipe down one side of your board so that sucker is soaking wet (I’m talking WET). Next, use your brush to paint stain on the part you have soaked. Quickly after, use your dry rag to wipe off all of the stain. Much of the stain will remain, but it will have a faded look rather than a solid. Repeat this on all surfaces of your board & feel free to repeat on some areas to achieve a darker look. This took me about 15 minutes and my boards looked like this when I was done:

          

Happy (no, really) crafting!