I was asked to repurpose a metal sign, or letter, from Hobby lobby into decor to be autographed by friends and family at a Graduation Party! What a great idea!
Here I will show you how easy it is!
Step 1
Acquire your supplies.
I purchased this letter R at Hobby Lobby when it was on sale for 50% off. In addition, the Leshen family I was doing this project for LOVE sunflowers…
…and the flower decor was also 50% off this same week, SCORE!
You’ll need your choice color of chalk style paint, paint brush, primer (I used Dixie Belle’s Slick Stick), water based sealer in flat or matte, hot glue sticks, hot glue gun, your choice of flowers or other embellishments.
I used Dixie Belle’s Slick Stick as my primer since I am painting on metal. I also used General Finished Flat out Flat Sealer once everything was painted. I wanted the paint to be extra durable so it could be signed with permanent markers without any shine.
Step 2
Clean your letter with soap and water and let dry thoroughly. Then you can apply your primer.
Less is more. Just like painting, it’s best to put on a thin coat and go back for a second coat if needed rather than trying to do it all at once.
Once I have the entire piece coated, let it dry thoroughly. I came back the next day to paint since I ran out of time and I wanted this to be thoroughly dry.
Step 3 and Step 4
This is where you get to paint your letter in your choice of color!
Since the Leshens are going with a Sunflower theme for their daughters graduation party, we went with Dixie Belle’s Cavier, their black!
Apply in thin coats, I did two coats and overall this project took very little paint! If you purchase the small 8 ounce jar, you could do this plus a small piece of furniture and still have some paint to spare!
When it comes to painting dark colors such as black and reds, let the paint cure one day before applying a sealer. With Dixie Belle paint, there is a sealer in their chalk style paint products so if you chose to go that route, there is that option.
With applying a sealer, it’s best to take your time, apply a light layer and go over it once. If you need to cover areas you missed, let the first coat dry first before applying a second thin coat
Step 5
Here is where you get to add your embellishments. I had the sunflowers placed in different areas and snapped and sent photos for approval before gluing them on. We also wanted to have more area for their guests to sign so that is why we went with the upper side of the R.
Step 6
Time to party!
The Leshen family used different colored permanent markers for friends and family to use at their sign in table.
I loved how this turned out!
If you have any questions I didn’t address, please drop me a note! This was a really easy project to do!
On a Personal Note:
I am currently working on a sign for a young boy who love Paw Patrol.
Ever experience a road block? This one had me stumped for almost a week looking at the design trying to figure out which parts of the stencil I was going to “weed” out that would be painted.
I was stumped until Monday and then it just hit me! Looking at it now I’m wondering why? Of course!
I am taking lots of pictures of this project so I can share later in a future post so hopefully I can help someone else if they’re experience the same road block I did!
Southern Iowa Junk Jaunt
Today is the last day!
If you’ve never gone junkin’ its basically a shopping road trip looking for vintage or antique treasures! And if you like this kind of exploring, bring a truck! You never know what your going to find along the way!
Until next Sunday,
xoxo
Melissa
My favorite Products:
My current audiobook
I am just starting up Rachel Hollis recent audiobook, Girl Stop Apologizing. I’ve read (listened to) her previous book, Girl Wash Your Face and I’m sure I will enjoy this one to! Let me know what you think if you’ve already read or listened to her recent book.
Do you have any audio books you’d recommend for me to listen too? As long as it’s not political I am game! LOL! I love history, historical-style fiction, self-help, and drama-mystery.
My local retailer is, Anna, in Knoxville, Iowa at the Furniture Boutique. This is where I get my paint, Caviar and Slick Stick for this project. You can find her here on Facebook.
General Finished Flat out Flat matte sealer
This is my ALL time favorite sealer I have used on my projects the past 12+ months! It provides great protection without the shine that I want for my signs. I use this sealer on all projects that will be used indoors where most of my signs are placed. If I have a customer request an outdoor sign, I use a different sealer for that purpose.
120 piece Sawtooth Hanger and Nail set
I am a FIRM believe in completing (or painting) the backside and sealing all my signs. To me, that just completes the look and protects the wood. I also use these sawtooth hangers and nail set on my signs also. Easy to use, and a great price!
This is the same camera I purchased in May for my Mother’s day present and I absolutely love it! Yes this is one of those items that I needed so I gifted myself, it was a nice but needed “treat”.
This camera has bluetooth technology so I am able to sync with my phone and laptop to download the photos! Once again, I went to You Tube and did a search on Nikon D3500 for beginners and found a few videos that walked me through step by step on how to set it up on manual, when I’m ready!
Falveys Lumber, Albia, Iowa
1″ Pine wood. Purchased and cut down from my local lumber store, Falveys here in Albia, Iowa.
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