July 14, 2011

Wood Grain Initial Plaques



I've been working on a gallery wall for my front entry way. I thought I would some personalized typography would be the perfect thing to break up all the frames. I had two pieces of scrap wood. (Actually 2 blocks of wood from some "never got made" pinewood derby kits.)

But I remembered a number 7 that was made from Young House Love. Here's my take on that project.

 [1]  Sloppily stain one side of the blocks of wood.

 You could also leave it plain wood tone, but I used some clearance stain so that it would somewhat match the dark wood in my home.

 
[2] Using Microsoft Word {or something like it} choose your font, change your desired letter into the dimensions of the wood piece, & print it out.

  [3] Tape over the dry stain with painter's tape, covering the whole piece front. 



[4] Tape the printed letter over the painter's tape.




[5] Use an Exacto knife to cut out the letter, making sure to press hard,
cutting through the paper and tape.


[6] Peel off tape around your letter and paint 2-3 coats of paint, peel of letter shaped tape when final coat of paint is still wet.

[7] Apply clear coat.

[8] You can attach picture hanging hardware- or like in my case, just drill a hole with your Dremel for the nails to fit into.

Here's an up close of the finished plaques, it's a little hard to see the wood grain in the pics but I tried my best!

As always, thanks for for checking out my project! And a BIG thanks for these oh-so-fabulous sites who've featured this project!!

36 comments:

  1. cool idea. I really like the arragement you have going on there. and the color pops I see too

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  2. love that you framed the thermostat! i'm thinking about a gallery wall, too, but i'm using all thrifted/free frames. i loove the clean lines of those frames from ikea, tho.

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  3. Those are fabulous! Definitely help break up all the frames. Can't wait to see your wall finished. But the empty frames sure make a statement. ;)
    Thanks for linking up to this week's Catch a Glimpse party. I'll be featuring this tomorrow.

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  4. Very lovely. I also love the turquoise lamp! Thanks for sharing. Karie

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  5. Oooh, me likey!

    Found your awesome project via Whipperberry!!

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  6. So cool, looks great!

    following from friday blog hop=)
    hope you will come check us out
    http://www.mommatotallyinlove.com/

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  7. How cool!

    Friday Hopping by to say hello.
    Have a great day!
    POSH!
    http://poshonabudget.com/2011/07/happy-friday-5.html

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  8. I love your letters! Actually...I love the whole wall so far!

    Thanks so much for linking to "20 Below Thursday"! :)

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  9. Lovely arrangement and blog! I'm over from the blog hop and am your newest follower. Hope you'll visit my blog when you can.

    http://cajundelights.blogspot.com/

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  10. Love em!! Saw those on YHL too!! Amazing idea!!

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  11. That really is an amazing idea!
    You can make it to fit any size you need! Clever!

    Thanks for sharing!
    The Miller's
    Prezidential Life

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  12. Super nifty idea! I'm using this one too!

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  13. Love the color scheme. I'm drawn to those neutrals with the blues incorporated as well. I find everything I do (blog and home included) ends up in those colors. Lovely post.

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  14. Love the little letters!
    I'm curious to see what's going in those empty frames....

    Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
    Hope you have a great weekend!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

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  15. Oh, I love the frame wall! You did a great job!

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  16. What an absolutely adorable DIY! Well done.

    I hope that you will stop by and enter my giveaway.

    Happy Monday!

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  17. Thanks for sharing this. I've been wanting to do a gallery in my entry as well, but stumped on what color I should paint this old dresser that I have. My frames are black from Pottery Barn. Any suggestions would be welcomed and appreciated.

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  18. What a great idea. And I love your wall grouping as well!

    Warmly, Michelle

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  19. Way to personalize your wall! Thank you for linking to Handy Man, Crafty Woman's Wicked Awesome Wednesday!

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  20. Super cute! And by the way, I think your pictures are cute too:)

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  21. I'm about to work on my stairwell wall, so thanks for the lovely idea

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  22. very cool. I was just thinking about doing letter blocks today.

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  23. How fun! I have a few of those pinewood derby blocks lying around too!

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  24. just wanted to say how cute this is...obviously my readers agreed (: glad you grabbed a featured button! XO

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  25. Great idea about the tape stencil -thanks for passing that on!

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  26. Becca, I love this! Great job!

    Thank you for linking up last week at Sew Woodsy! Please come back tomorrow and link up your most recent project!

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  27. This is brilliant! I have always wondered how I could put letters on things since I don't have a vinyl cutter . . . I am totally doing this. Thanks for the inspiration! Thank you so much for linking up to Strut Your Stuff Saturday! We are so grateful for your support and we hope that you will be back tomorrow to share more great ideas!
    Camille @
    SixSistersStuff.blogspot.com

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  28. Love that idea! They look great!

    Marie
    mylilpinkpocket.blogspot.com

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  29. Those letters are fantastic! I can't wait to see how you fill all those wonderful frames!

    Found you at the Northern Cottage party.

    -sara @ applestonedrive.blogspot.com

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  30. I want to make a gallery wall, too, and now have ANOTHER idea for it! Thanks so much for sharing this at Handmade Tuesdays!

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  31. what a cool project! i love the look of these!!!
    -marie

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  32. This is a great idea! I love the fact that they were made from unfinished Pinewood Derby kits--that sounds like something that I would have had around here a few years ago! :) And of course I love your gallery wall.

    Thanks so much for joining Grace at Home! I really appreciate it.

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  33. This is a great idea! I love the fact that they were made from unfinished Pinewood Derby kits--that sounds like something that I would have had around here a few years ago! :) And of course I love your gallery wall.

    Thanks so much for joining Grace at Home! I really appreciate it.

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  34. I love the wood grain showing through - such a nice touch...

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  35. I don’t waste my free time that’s why I read the informative things when I got this blog I really enjoyed reading this.important link

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