Fall crafting has officially taken over! I’m having so much fun decorating for fall this year. Last year, we had only been in our home for a few weeks and I was still getting used to our new space. This year, I’m definitely in the groove and enjoying this season a little more.
This weekend I finished my Fall Mantel for this year (I’ll be revealing it this week) and I made this DIY Gather Sign for it. It was really easy to make and very inexpensive so I thought I’d give you a quick tutorials. It has a fun farmhouse look to it and I completed it on about 30 minutes.
I started with These fun metal letters I picked up at Hobby Lobby. They are the perfect size for crafting and are only $2.99 each (even less if you catch them when they are 50%).
I had a scrap piece of a 8″ wide pre-finished board and used that as my base. I love working with this type of wood if I know I’m going to paint it anyway. It is more expensive but it leaves a really smooth finish.
Then, I used Elmer’s ProBond Advanced to secure the metal letters to the wood. It’s specially designed to adhere porous and non porous materials together. Pretty much my favorite glue to use.
To finish off the sign, I dry-brushed a little black acrylic paint on it to give it a weathered look. If you aren’t familiar with this technique, you simply dip your brush in paint, then blot is off until it’s almost dry. Then you gently move the brush over the surface and it creates this look.
This sign was the perfect addition to our mantel this year! I can’t wait to show you the whole thing!
About Taryn Whiteaker
Taryn Whiteaker is the voice of style behind TarynWhiteaker.com (formerly Design, Dining and Diapers) ! Taryn is a previous PR/Marketing professional who got back to her creative roots after becoming a mom and now shares her passion for home decor and design for the world to see. Taryn lives in the greater Seattle area with her husband and three kids and loves coffee, the outdoors, and exploring with her family.
Rebecca says
September 10, 2015 at 2:52 pmSo simple but so cute! I can’t wait to see the rest of your mantel decorating. When you were dry brushing the black onto the sign did you just apply it to the wood or did you swipe some on the letters as well?
Taryn says
September 12, 2015 at 11:11 amI just wiped it on the wood, I left the letters as-is :)
Rebecca says
September 13, 2015 at 9:49 amThat’s what I thought but wanted to make sure. Thanks! I love the rest of your mantel by the way.
Sarah says
November 14, 2016 at 9:06 pmI love your sign and the mantel. Beautiful!
Rosemary says
November 22, 2016 at 3:58 amThis is such a beautiful mantel and neat technique for your sign! Where did you get your Home Sweet Home and give thanks sign? Thank you!
LINDA BOUFFARD says
May 29, 2018 at 9:44 amI made this and put it in a house we are selling. I love it so much!! Thank you! I ordered the letters through your link and they were 50% off. I had Home Depot cut the wood board, I sanded it a little, painted it and dry brushed it like you demonstrated. WOW. SO happy with this. Best wishes, Linda @Crafts a la mode
Taryn Whiteaker says
June 3, 2018 at 9:18 pmSo glad it worked for you!