Rustic Blue Bird Sign Tutorial

As I was working with my {rescued!} planks, I realized I wanted to make some signs that were larger than just one plank width. After experimenting around with a few different methods, we finally came up with this one…

My husband cut some of the planks to be equal lengths. I squeezed a line of wood glue onto the edge of one board and stuck another board tightly up against it, and repeated until I had as many boards glued together that I wanted. I then clamped it with a wood clamp and let it sit overnight.

Although this is sort of a lamination process, it wasn’t sturdy enough that way. {I found this out when I dropped one and it broke!}

So, I laid 2 thin wood strips across the back and marked where I wanted to nail them, and predrilled with the drill press. {It prevents the wood from splitting during the nailing process.}

After the holes were drilled, I squeezed a thin layer of carpenter’s glue on each strip,

turned it over, and then nailed carpet tacks through the holes I had pre-drilled.

You can use any type of nails that you prefer, but I love the look of the big, black nail-heads.

I attached my “Harbour Breeze Creations” tag on one of the nails (we’ll talk more about that later…).

Now that we’ve done all the prep work, let’s move on to today’s project…

I really love it when I see signs with special verses on them. I guess the “special verses” part is sort of a personal preference. By it, I mean that it has special significance to me, and usually if it moves my heart, chances are, it will move someone else’s too!

Today’s project idea was born when I saw a sign with a bird on it. I’m not much for “birds” necessarily, but when I saw it, I thought of one of my favourite verses out of the book of Psalms. (You can read why here.)

This time, I decided to go for a bit more “rustic” look and left the wood just stained.

I first traced the words out using white tracing paper. (I bought it years ago, but I’m sure it can be found in an art supply store.)

I cut out a bird shape and put masking tape around where the edges would be.

With a pen, I traced around the bird.

Using an xacto knife, I cut along the line and peeled out the inside.

Using a turquoise color, I filled in the shape in a “dry-brush” method so that a bit of the wood grain would show through.

Peeling off the tape is so fun… (It works best to take the tape off while the paint is still wet.)

I painted the words on using Light Buttermilk paint. The font was “Pea Bea”.

Tomorrow I’ll show you the “sister” painting to this one…

**Update: If you are interested in purchasing this sign,you can so so at my {new!} Etsy shop here:  www.etsy.com/shop/harbourbreeze

Linking to: Thrifty Decorating