Handpainted CREATE sign {& tutorial} -

So.. I needed something fun and cute to put on my new (to me) desk (that post coming REALLY soon) and I didn’t want to buy anything… Don’t you hate that?! So I came up with something I could make with things I had lying around the house.

I had this kitchen drawer front that had fallen off of the front of my drawer at my old house and instead of throwing it out, I held on to it thinking as usual “I can make something out of this someday..” My hubby just rolled his eyes and tossed it in our garage. We’ve moved 4 times since then, yes 4! … and somehow this random piece of wood never got thrown out.. Anywho… Here’s what I did!

First I painted it black… then changed my mind and painted it Ivory…

See my little helper sticking his tongue out back there. 🙂 Love that kid.

Next I found a font I liked and printed the lettering out on my printer. I printed it using “fast draft” and grayscale to save ink. {I HATE replacing ink cartridges} I, meaning my hubs, used my Xacto knife to cut out the letters to create a stencil. I tried first but he has a much steadier hand than I. Perhaps why he will make a good dentist (He’s applying to dental school right now – hehe!)

Next, I used spray adhesive (I like Elmer’s Craft Bond) and sprayed the back of the paper stencil.

Then I placed the (now sticky) stencil on the board and lined it up so it would be straight and everything.

Finally I was able to paint the lettering on… I used a foam sponge brush and cheap acrylic craft paint for this. Don’t you love my fine china??! 🙂 Paper plates are the best when you have toddlers!