Alrighty friends, don’t hate me for painting over this double-sided homemade art I found at Goodwill. I’m sure someone poured their heart into painting it and it had a sweet little home at one time, but eventually it was donated and I couldn’t pass it up for just 50 cents.
**Today is Trash to Treasure Tuesday with my thrifty blogging friends – you can see their creative projects at the end of this post. You can also see all my previous T2T makeovers Here.**
First up, I sanded both sides and painted it Old White.
This post contains some affiliate links, at no extra cost to you, so that you can easily find the same or similar products that I use.
Those flower napkins from my decoupage crate project (click Here for the full tutorial) were calling my name again so I decided to do a similar treatment for this piece. Find similar napkins for decoupage projects Here.
I separated one napkin, cut it in half, and lightly glued it onto the wood with Mod Podge.
When it was completely dry, I sanded it gently with 320 grit sandpaper.
Then I printed off large letters for VINTAGE, straightened the paper over the wood, and traced over the edges of the letters hard with a pen. The goal was just to press an outline into the wood, without any actual ink or other markings because I planned to paint the letters white.
I used a thin artist’s brush and Old White paint again.
This project calls for imperfection, so don’t try hard to make it look good! Seriously, just don’t. Distressed and worn is better than smooth and perfect. (Struggling with overcoming perfection and the fear of failure? Learn why Done is better than Perfect.)
This floral decoupage sign totally put me in the mood for spring (which I realize is ironic, because we had a few inches of surprise snow dumped on us yesterday), so I went all out and decorated my mantel for spring.
Happy, warm thoughts!
Click here for my free printable resource list: 11 Items to Always Buy While Thrifting
I’m starting to think ahead to my next market in a couple months, and I might do more napkin projects (crates or signs or …??). Still deciding about that.
And yes, “Vintage” was painted off-center. Remember what I said about imperfection? 😉
Happy almost-spring to you, my friend!
Here’s another before/after of this decoupage sign:
It’s Trash to Treasure Tuesday, which means some of the BEST thrifty makeovers on the web!
Below are the Before photos – click the blog links underneath the photos to see the After photos and read all about the transformation. Enjoy!
1. Confessions of a Serial DIYer
2. Prodigal Pieces
3. Artsy Chicks Rule
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Paula says
Cute sign and definitely an improvement over the original. Love the sign on your spring mantel! Now we just need it to feel like spring.
Paula recently posted…Smith Mountain Lake House Update–Living Room
Jen says
Thank you Paula. Oh yes, I’d be thrilled if it could warm up any day now and melt all this white stuff! Yuck.
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
Umm…that sign in the before was so bad. ha! I absolutely love the new look and your mantel decor, Jen! I am aching for spring any day now. Thanks for the breath of fresh air.
Christy@Confessions of Serial Do-it-Yourselfer says
Super cute transformation, Jen! Your Mantel is so Springy and fresh! I just don’t think I could handle snow, but we have dipped into the twenties here at night brrr…bring on Spring! XOXO
Christy@Confessions of Serial Do-it-Yourselfer recently posted…Message Board from a Roadside Find
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
That is so sweet Jen! I love it on your mantel with the rest of your pretties. 🙂
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule recently posted…$5 Thrifty French Script Table
Frances Batson says
I love the sign in the before. I hope you copied them before painting over it. I would love to do the sister one for each of my 4 sisters.
Nancy says
Does anyone else think that the laundry sign was a racial stereotype? I am very happy that you painted over that. It would make me uncomfortable to see that in someone’s home, and would certainly offend many. Your makeover with the flower print is so much nicer. Thanks for the interesting tutorial. I may try that technique on a clementine crate, just for fun.
Jen says
Thank you, Nancy. I love how the napkins look on the wooden crate I did! (and I agree that something was definitely “off” about the painted woman.. she’s gone now!)
Catherine Cooper says
I just LOVE this idea and now I have to go out and find all the pretty napkins I can! Great Job!
Love what you did with the old sign, as well. The old sentiment was tired about 10 years ago :-), so it was a good way to recycle!
Jen says
Thanks so much, Catherine. I need to go napkin shopping also! I know there are good ones on Amazon, but I’ve also heard that stores like Marshalls and HomeGoods may have them too. 🙂
Charlotte says
Nah. I would”ve left the sign the way it was. I don’t care for the flower power.
Marie|The Interior Frugalista says
I love how you decoupage with napkins, Jen. Really cute Spring sign idea! pinning
Marie|The Interior Frugalista recently posted…Mom’s Wooden Stool Got A Befitting Makeover
Just Justin says
I really like the transformation!
Linda says
I really like your creativity. The sign looks very springy!
Michele Main says
love, love, love all these ideas. Sure wish I could see an item and be that creative.
Rose L. says
I like the uniqueness of the vintage sign! Cute.
Rose L. recently posted…THE SHACK