How to Fake a Reclaimed Wood Sign

In my Powder Room Progress post, I touched on the fact that my happy accident in breaking a 10" pine board practically down the center gave me an extra piece of scrap wood to work with. After some thought, this is what came of that scrap piece of pine that could:

I wanted a painted wooden sign badly, but did not have transfer paper handy or a fancy cutting machine to create a stencil of sorts and I didn't feel like leaving the house, so I worked with what I had. 

It was fairly easy:

Find a font you like. Print it large enough to your liking. I wanted an old-time rustic look, so I picked...a font. I can't remember which one now. But pick one you like! The sky (or your willingness to download new fonts) is the limit here.

I'll admit: I had already taken the taped-down words off at this point, realized I forgot to take a picture,
and then hastily stuck it back on for a photo. #getittogetherwoman

Once my words were printed, I cut each word out and taped it to my already-sanded-and-stained board, making sure that they lined  up nicely and were level.

And then this is where I fail at providing you with more pictures. Sorry, friends.

Take a ball-point pen or a pencil and trace over the outline of each of your letters. You can press firmly, but not too firmly. If you're working with pine, it's pretty soft so it won't take much pressure. You'll want to apply enough pressure while tracing to make an imprint of each letter's outline on your wood piece.

Once that's done, take a fine paint brush and fill in your letters with the paint color of your choosing. I used two coats of Martha Stewart Acrylic Craft Paint in Wedding Cake. And then I took a black acrylic paint and painted a faint shadow along the left side of each letter's outline.

Just a note, that tiny paint brush will do wonders. I didn't have one and was determined to not leave the house. I tried a pen dipped in paint to fill it in, my pinky finger, and a q-tip. All of those methods sucked, so I finally had to bite the bullet and drive the two miles to A.C. Moore.

I know, guys, it was so hard.

Let your masterpiece dry, then gently sand over the letters to distress your sign. Below you can see how it turned out after taking a sanding block to it.

Looks pretty legit, no?

Originally, I was going to paint the words "Powder Room" on the sign, but I feel like "Powder Room" is so twee and precious and not meant for rooms with awesomely rustic wooden shelves. "Powder Room" probably would have worked if the walls stayed purple, but not today. Not in this bathroom, no sir.

I now dub this room the W.C.

Linking up with: Sunshine and a Summer Breeze, Glued to My Crafts, Kreative Creationz, Julie is Coco and Cocoa, Embracing Change, French Country Cottage, Jennifer Rizzo, Finding Fabulous, Young and Crafty, My Romantic Home, Craft Dictator, 504 Main, Place of My Taste, House of Rose, The Shabby Nest, Chic on a Shoestring Decorating, DIY Vintage Chic, Tatertots & Jello, Funky Junk Interiors, The Winthrop Chronicles, Ella Claire, City Farmhouse, Yellow Bliss Road, Clean & Scentsible, Coastal Charm, Cozy Little House, Savvy Southern Style, DIY by Design, The Happy Housie, The Turquoise Home, The Blissful Bee, Place of My Taste