Expressing Festive Joy: A DIY Guide to Making Your Own Painted Holiday Sign

Hey there! Christmas is so close now and I am so busy with all my Christmas party celebrations, but I'm still decorating here and there. 

If you are still decorating, like me, and want something special that can be used every year, let's make a fun sign that you can use to create a festive space in your home!

As the holiday season approaches, the desire to infuse our homes with warmth and festive cheer grows stronger. Crafting your own holiday decorations adds a personal touch to your space and allows you to express your unique style. In this step-by-step guide, we'll explore the delightful world of creating a Painted Holiday Sign that not only captures the spirit of the season but also serves as a beautiful, handmade addition to your home decor.

Materials Needed:

1. Wooden Board:

• Choose a wooden board of the desired size for your sign.
2. Several years ago, my uncle was cleaning out his workshop and gave me a lot of scrap wood and other things.  I chose this piece of wood as the perfect sign board.  My board is 3' 10" long x 11" tall x 3/4" thick.
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4. Acrylic Paints:

   • Select a palette of holiday colors that resonate with the theme you have in mind. I used black and white for a simple elegant look.

5. Paintbrushes:

   • Gather an assortment of brushes in various sizes for different painting techniques. I used a chip brush and a sponge brush.

6. Stencils or Lettering Guides:

• Decide on your holiday message and use stencils for a clean and professional look. Of course, off to Etsy I went to find a stencil maker.  I found an awesome one with great prices.  Click right here to visit her shop and please tell her I sent you!
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8. Sealant (Optional):

   • Consider using a sealant to protect your finished sign, especially if it will be displayed outdoors.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Select Your Design:

   • Decide on the message or imagery you want to convey on your holiday sign. Whether it's a festive greeting, a favorite holiday quote, or a whimsical design, the possibilities are endless.

2. Prepare the Surface:

   • (Optional) Lightly sand the surface to ensure a smooth painting experience.

3. Paint the Background:

   • Apply the background color to your sign. This sets the tone for your design and provides a base for the other colors. I used white acrylic paint and gave my old board a little dry brushing to fill in some of the bare wood spots and to make it as smooth as I possibly could.

NOTE: According to the stencil directions, you have to have a smooth clean surface for the stencil to work properly.  I used a damp cloth to clean off the dust on my board before I painted.

The one time use stencil comes with step-by-step instructions on how to use the stencil, be sure to follow them.

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   Pencil Mark Up:

   • Use a pencil for marking up your design on the board before painting. Before you peel the backer paper off your stencil, center it on your board and make pencil marks on the corners so you know where to place the stencil after you've peeled the backer paper off.
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   Stencil Application:
3. For best results, make sure you follow all the directions that comes with the stencil.  Spend extra time smoothing the stencil onto the board.  After you smoothed as much as you can, gently start peeling the topper paper off the stencil. GO SLOW and keep your hand resting on the board.  You do not want to pull straight up on your topper paper, your stencil will not fare well!
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   This is how your stencil should look after the topper paper is removed.
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   Attention to Detail:
6. Use your thumb and go around the edges of all the letters to make sure the stencil is tight to the board before painting. If the stencil is not stuck well, you will have seepage and that's not pretty!
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9. Add Details and Lettering:

   • Once the background is dry, use your chosen colors to add details, lettering, and any additional elements to your sign.
   • For the lettering use black acrylic paint and a sponge brush.  With very little paint on the brush, gently tap the paint in thin coats.

10. Let It Dry:

    • Allow your sign to dry completely between each layer of paint.

11. Seal and Display (Optional):

• If you've used acrylic paint, consider sealing your sign with a clear sealant to protect it from the elements.
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    Display with Pride:

    • Find the perfect spot to showcase your creation. Whether it's indoors as part of your festive decor or outdoors to spread holiday cheer to passersby, let your painted holiday sign shine.
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    Crafting your own Painted Holiday Sign is a wonderful way to celebrate the season and infuse your home with your unique style and sentiments. Embrace the joy of creating, and let your imagination guide you as you bring the holiday spirit to life on your beautifully painted wooden board. Whether you're a seasoned artist or a novice, this DIY project promises a festive and fulfilling experience.

For more fun Christmas ideas, go visit my Instagram. I post every single day. Find me @TexasBlueBunglaow on Instagram.

• If you loved any of these ideas and want to save them for later, be sure to pin it to your favorite Pinterest board.  I have a Pinterest board set up for all kinds of wonderful Christmas ideas and it's called Cool Yule.  I'm pinning something new on Pinterest every day. Won't you join me?

• 1. ***I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.**

Crafting Charm: A Beginner's Guide to Making Rustic Feather Christmas Trees

Hey there! Are you ready for Christmas yet? I just need a few more stocking stuffers and I will be ready! I'm still decorating here and there and today I want to show you how I made this adorable Rustic Feather Christmas Tree.

The holiday season often sparks a desire to infuse our homes with warmth and creativity. Crafting your own Rustic Feather Christmas Tree is a delightful way to bring a touch of nature and handmade charm to your festive decor. In this step-by-step guide, we'll walk through the process of creating a simple yet beautiful twig Christmas tree using readily available materials and a hint of patience.

Originally feather trees were created by first dyeing goose, turkey, chicken or swan feathers green, to simulate pine needles, and attaching them with metal wires or sticks to form the branches. A wooden dowel was used for the trunk.  Today I'm using some garland ties from the dollar store and a dowel to create mine.

Materials Needed:

1. Twigs:

   • Garland ties (Dollar Tree)

2. A Stick and Base:

   • 3/8" Dowel Rod (WalMart) - cut to 12"
     Scrap block of wood - cut to 3" x 3"

3. Floral Tape:

Floral Tape (WalMart)
• While brown floral tape is commonly used, green tape is a suitable alternative. Read the package instructions for guidance on application.
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5. Extra Supplies:
6. Drill and 3/8" Drill Bit
7. Wood Glue
8. Wire Cutters
9. Scissors
10. I also used my chop saw to cut the wood and a scrap piece of sandpaper to smooth the cut edges of my dowel rod and wood block.

Prepare the Base:

NO! DO NOT drill a hole in your wooden block on your dining room table that took you 16 hours to refinish! Don't be silly!

I drilled the holes outside on the patio where it was safe! I just snapped the picture inside where the lighting was better. Heehee!

Only drill a very shallow hole in your wooden block, its unnecessary to drill all the way through.  It's ok if you do though, but it will let your glue leak out.

Secure the Base:

• Secure the bottom of the stick to a stable base using wood glue or another suitable material.

Add a small amount of wood glue to your freshly drilled hole.  I prefer to use Gorilla Wood Glue, but any wood glue will do, or hot glue will work too if you prefer.

Too much glue looks like this! Lol! Press your dowel rod into the glue, wipe off excess and let dry while you're completing the next steps.

At this point you can paint or stain your base if you want to, but I chose not to paint or stain mine because I'm impatient!

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Prepare Your Twigs:

   • Gather a collection of twigs.
   • Trim the twigs to various lengths, creating a graduated effect for a more natural appearance.

Use your wire cutters to cut the lengths of garland ties you need.  This part is totally up to you on what lengths you want each branch to be.  I didn't measure, I just started out short at the top and then made them longer as I went down.

NOTE: You can also use old faux Christmas tree branches as well instead of the garland ties.

Trim Your Twigs:

Trim the stems as short as you can, trimming really close at the bottom where you will be attaching them to the dowel with the floral tape.

NOTE: This is extremely messy, and I suggest you doing it outside if possible.  Static and little, tiny plastic pieces resulted in a giant mess to clean up!

This is how I left my branches; I did go back and trim the bottom end very short so I could attach it to the dowel.

Attach the Top Twig:

• Take the shortest twig and use floral tape to attach it to the top of the stick.
• Follow the instructions on the floral tape package for the best results.
• Keep in mind that working with floral tape might take some getting used to, so be patient as you master the technique.

1. Continue Adding Branches:

   • Working your way down, attach longer twigs one by one using floral tape.
   • Overlap the twigs slightly to create a layered, tree-like structure.

2. Adjust as Needed:

   • Step back and assess the shape of your Christmas tree.
   • If necessary, trim or adjust the length of the branches to achieve the desired look.
   • Consider cutting the top branch shorter for a balanced appearance. Add more branches if you like.

Crafting a Rustic Feather Christmas Tree is not only a creative endeavor but also a journey back in time, evoking the nostalgia of bygone eras. As you adorn your home with this unique decoration, you'll not only create a festive atmosphere but also build lasting memories for years to come. Embrace the joy of handmade holiday decor, and let your creativity soar as high as the feathers on your beautifully crafted vintage Christmas tree.

For more fun Christmas ideas, go visit my Instagram. I post every single day. Find me @TexasBlueBunglaow on Instagram.

• If you loved any of these ideas and want to save them for later, be sure to pin it to your favorite Pinterest board.  I have a Pinterest board set up for all kinds of wonderful Christmas ideas and it's called Cool Yule.  I'm pinning something new on Pinterest every day. Won't you join me?

• 1. ***I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.**