Monday, October 31, 2011

Thanksgiving subway sign

This sign was actually finished last fall, but it was too close to Thanksgiving to get it posted before everyone was focused on Christmas!

I’ve seen a lot of subway tutorials floating around, but they always seem to involve some sort of vinyl cutting device.  And I’m sure they’re fabulous to have.  But since I don’t have one…  my subway signs are of the hand painted variety.  And really.  It’s not that bad to paint a few words on a sign.  It may not be as perfect as vinyl would be, but that just adds to it’s “vintage” charm ;)

10-31 008

It all started with a plain pine board I found in the shed.  After a good sanding, I based it in dark walnut brown acrylic paint.  Next came a layer of mustard yellow and then a coat of red, allowing drying time between layers.  The final coat is a called old parchment. Perfect! 

Before the words were added, I gave it a another sanding.  Because I wanted it to look aged, I made sure to sand enough to allow a few areas of red, gold and/or brown paint layers to show. 

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Then it’s a matter of printing out a variety of words in different fonts and arranging them on the board.  Once I was happy with their placement, I used graphite paper to trace the letters onto the board, removed the paper and started painting! 

10-31 011Another bit of sanding after the letters were finished….

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a coat of clear matte spray paint to seal and protect….

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And we have a vinyl-less subway sign. 

Did anyone else notice the most prominent word is “pie?” 

Guess now y’all know what we’re really thankful for :)

22 comments:

Bevy @ Treasured Up and Pondered said...

I LOVE it!!!!!!

Maggie Massey said...

Shelley! Just wanted to let you know that I featured your subway art on my blog! Yay! Everyone loves it! It's gotten dozens of pins...;)

Maggie Massey said...

Ooops! Sorry! Here's the link:
http://midwesternsewinggirl.blogspot.com/2011/11/more-linky-featuresand-im-at-lil-luna.html

Blissful & Domestic said...

I love that you didn't have to use vinyl. I love subway art!

I'd love for you to link up to my linky party.
www.blissfulanddomestic.blogspot.com

Melanie @ bear rabbit bear said...

So wonderful! I'd like to invite you to join my weekly link party to link up anything that you like. I think my readers would love your stuff! It's live until Saturday noon EST.

Melanie
http://bearrabbitbear.blogspot.com/2011/11/things-ive-done-thursday-9-and-etsy.html

Laurie @ Laurie's Little Bits of Creativity, etc. said...

Love your sign. What an awesome job you did. Found you via Tatertots and Jello Weekend Wrap Up Party. Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

Really pretty!

Trish - Mom On Timeout said...

I think this is absolutely wonderful - you want to know why? Because I don't have a fancy machine either and I'm sure a lot of people don't. It's so nice to see something that's totally awesome that doesn't require a couple hundred dollar machine. Love it! If you have a moment and would like to share with my readers, please do! http://www.momontimeout.com/2011/11/taking-timeout-thursday-link-party-no-3.html

April said...

Im pretty much in love with this!!!! Great job...perfect for fall. I hope you will link up with me here:
http://www.thegingerbreadblog.com/2011/11/sweet-saturday-v12.html

Susie Buetow said...

This. is. awesome. I'd love for you to come link up this post in my Holiday Tips, Crafts & Recipes link up! Here it is: http://cafescrapper-scrapsoflife.blogspot.com/2011/11/crock-pot-pizza-soup.html

Thanks! Susie

Courtney said...

I LOVE this! I would love if you would share this at the Crazy Cute link party happening at Between U & Me right now! I've got a totally awesome giveaway this week, too!
OOH! AND, I'm your newest follower! ;)
www.betweenuandme.com

www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com said...

I love this sign. Now if I only had an old piece of wood or a shed to find one in I would be set.

TracyMB @ Crows Feet Chic said...

Love this and love that you did it all by hand! Silhouette, schmillhouette! :)

Polka Dot Bungalow said...

Good Morning!

Love this sign!!! Great work! Wanted to let you know that I featured you on todays {Marvelous} Monday!! Feel free to check it out!

http://polkadotbungalow.blogspot.com/2011/11/marvelous-mondayno-9.html

{H a p p y F a l l}
Stephanie

Unknown said...

I love this! Great job! And fabulous that PIE is the biggest...heehee. Would you share this here?

http://oneartmama.blogspot.com/2011/11/our-home-for-holidays-party.html

Ginger said...

I think you did a great job! Love it.

Mindie Hilton said...

Featurin on Thursday at Bacon Time :)

~Isabel said...

I LOVE it!! I don't have one of the circuits either....but to be honest, I think I like your way better!!

Malinda Jane Sieg said...

Beautiful! I love how classy it is!

Rochelle Barlow said...

I LOVE that you did the sign without the machine and all that vinyl. I love the hand painted look best! It looks so good, I'm going to have to find a board of some sort so that I can make one too!

Karen said...

This is darling! I love that you handpainted it and the vintage look is beautiful! I would love your to link this up at my new link party Friday Frolic. It's new and needs some love!
http://karismaheartsavannah.blogspot.com/2011/11/friday-frolic_11.html

Jessa said...

This is so beautiful! Thanks for joining the Thanksgiving party!

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