DIY Handwriting Copy Sign Tutorial

A new trend I have noticed is displaying portions of handwritten notes enlarged as a sign. I think it is a lovely way to remember special words. I was recently asked to create a sign with a portion of Clarence's note from It's a Wonderful Life so I thought I would snap a few pictures of the process to share a tutorial on the blog.

DIY Handwriting Copy Sign Tutorial

I happened to have the perfect size board already on hand. It is a rough cut board sanded slightly, so it has the rough edges and saw blade marks still visible. It really gives the piece some rustic character. I just lightly brushed some cream paint onto the board to get a weathered effect. You can also sand the edges to remove paint and make it more rustic.

Next, I resized the portion of the original note I was using and printed it out. (I just use Microsoft Word because I can use the page size to estimate dimensions.) I used carbon paper to transfer the image to the painted wood.

It's a Wonderful Life Quote
Use carbon paper to transfer handwriting to wood
How to transfer handwriting to signs

I used a fine tip black paint marker to paint the words onto the wood. It is more natural to make handwriting with a paint marker vs. a paintbrush. I also let the roughness of the wood texture the lettering by not filling in chips and grain.

How to easily make a sign from handwriting

Finally, I applied an antiquing wax to further age and seal the piece.

It's a Wonderful Life sign- Clarence's note

I think this technique would be really sweet for old love notes from your spouse, cards from special occasions, or even treasured family recipes!

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Romans 12:12 Canvas Word Art

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Once a week or so, I write Bible memory verses on our dry erase board. A friend of mine suggested putting them on canvas, so I told her to choose a verse and I would make one for her to try it out. This was my sketch on the dry erase board...

I rewrote it on paper and used carbon paper to trace over that and transfer it to the canvas. Then, I used a paint pen to write the letters, touching it up with black paint and a detail brush.

 

 

Then, we delivered it to her as soon as possible so that I would stop noticing and changing tiny details and the risk of my children destroying it would be eliminated.
Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer.
Romans 12:12
 
I have a feeling I will be doing a few more of these. :)

Mothers Day Proverbs 31 Canvas Painting

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I have never painted on a canvas before! I don't know what I was waiting for.

This was a really fun project to do. I just painted on the words with paint pen and then added the flowers all around. I hope they don't look too much like a little kid painted them. I think they look OK from a distance anyway.
It was inspired by THIS free printable, if you want you own!
 

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. Proverbs 31:28

Happy Mother's Day!

A thrill of hope...

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I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!!!

I know the blog has been quiet for a few weeks, but there were so many projects I had been working on that were Christmas surprises! You can expect a little blogging overload now that the presents have all been opened.

First up, this wood sign for my aunt:

 I was inspired by THIS Aimee Weaver design, but changed it up and put a chalkboard spin on it. So, it isn't really anything like hers anymore now that I look at it. I made it my own, and that is a good thing. I don't want to be a copycat.

A little behind the scenes reality here... I almost forgot to dot my "i"s- I did the one in rejoices and when I was getting ready to wrap it up I saw the "i" in thrill was undotted, too! Since that dot was still wet, I was going to wrap it in the car on the way there and then the "f" in "of" looked too much like a "t" so I made my husband turn around and go home so that I could fix it. I couldn't have lived with myself!

Just a short post today- I still have some recovery to do around the house- but I have lots more to share later!