The following homemade Christmas gift idea was submitted by Duffy Teague.
Professional framed name signs can run $60 on up. This cost me (with buying all of the supplies) about $5 a sign! I have only made last name signs using this technique, but any word or words will work. Your imagination is your only limit!
Everyone who received a sign from me said they loved their gifts. Now I just need to make myself one!
Thorp
Name Plaque Homemade Christmas Gift
Supplies Needed
- Pictures (see #1 & 2)
- Wood to fit the pictures
- Paint or stain for the wood
- Mod Podge
- Foam paint brush
- Embellishment for edges (see #7)
- Hot glue gun and glue
- Hanger (see #9)
Instructions
1. Choose a theme for the letter pictures – some options: architectural details; beach; items in nature; wild west; cut letters out of maps, magazine, etc. (these were all themes that I have used – let your imagination run wild)! I have even taken my own pictures and used them.
2. Print out the pictures on regular printer paper.
3. Find a leftover piece of wood or purchase a scrap at Home Depot or Lowes for a couple of bucks! Size will depend on your pictures. I brought them with me and wound up making four from one long piece of wood.
4. Treat the wood – white wash, paint, stain, etc. Think of your theme.
5. Mod Podge the paper letters to the board with a foam paint brush. Leave a little space in between each letter. Let Dry.
6. Repeat coats of Mod Podge. I proceeded with about 6 coats – it was my sealer too!
7. Choose an embellishment to cover all the edges.
On my first batch I primarily used rope (again found at Home Depot or Lowes – make sure it is NOT treated). You can paint or stain rope to match the project.
I have also used upholstery tacks, but depending on the wood you might have to drill small holes – our wood was very hard.
8. With assistance from your better half or a friend, embellish the edges. With the rope, I hot glued it on, and my husband went behind me and tacked with little finishing nails.
9. On the back, attach something to hang it with. I have used traditional picture hangers, extra rope, ribbon, etc. Use your imagination.
Botsford
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Diane says
Easier said that done, however, can be done. I did this for my son for a Christmas gift for one of the people he worked with. I got the shapes and did the name, then went to Walgreen’s and did a mouse pad. Something unusual and different. I had a hard time finding an “R” and finally took a picture of our lawn furniture that was scrolled to look like an “R”. I think people like it when you take the time to make something like this.
Sharon says
I would appreciate some suggestions on where to get pictures online.
Toni Anderson says
Jessica has a link in this post. The link is to a Flickr page with a picture for each letter of the alphabet.
http://lifeasmom.com/2012/12/diy-on-a-dime-make-fun-photo-art.html