"S" is for Script

Handpainted holiday sign in script:

And the backside:

This is one big sign - about 36"w x 30"h.

Heavy and thick too.

A customer, AnnMarie, brought me this piece:

Her brother had constructed and carved the frame to mimic a sign they had in their family as youngsters.

AnnMarie needed me to paint the sign.

I came up with these drawings:

She approved and I started painting.

I did pull some inspiration from historical postcards found via Google:

And everything came together in the end:

Here's how I made the sign:

1. Basecoat the inner rectangle two coats red.

*Tape off outer frame edges.

2. Print out lettering to size, layout, trace around edges with ballpoint pen to create indent in wood:

3. Paint inside indent:

4. Sketch holly, ribbon and candy cane details with pencil.

Paint, layer up the colors starting with the darkest green first:

5. Make leaves more realistic with lighter green on edges:

6. For candy cane paint white background first:

7. Add red details and holly:

8. Stain edges with Minwax Ipswich Pine.

Seal with 3 coats Helmsman exterior grade satin poly.

Definitely a different project, fun and nostalgic.

The details are perfectly simple:

And just to see the difference a little paint can make:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Thanks AnnMarie for a great Christmas project.

I'm linking up to:

Whatcha Got Weekend @ Lolly Jane

SAS @ Funky Junk

Weekend Wrap Up @ Tatertots & Jello

Sundae Scoop @ I Heart Naptime

Sister Sunday @ Sisters of the Wild West

Sunday Showcase Party @ Under the Table & Dreaming

Just Something I Whipped Up @ The Girl Creative

DIY Fall Festival @ The DIY Showoff

Made by You Mondays @ Skip to My Lou

Making the World Cuter @ Making the World Cuter

Nifty Thrifty @ Coastal Charm

Tuesday Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Tutorials & Tips Tuesday @ Home Stories A to Z

Good Life @ A Beach Cottage

Delightfully Inspiring @ Delightful Order

Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Creek Cottage

Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple

Share Awesomeness Thur @ The 36th Avenue

Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring

Tickled Pink @ 504 Main

Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest

SAS @ Just a Girl

Feathered Nest @ French Country Cottage

Remodelaholics Anonymous @ Remodelaholic

inspiration board @ Carolyns Homework
Wow us Wednesdays @ Savvy Southern Style