Decorating with natural wood elements can really add farmhouse style to your home. Check out how I made a personalized nursery wood slice name sign to give my nursery a bit of farmhouse character.
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It’s time for another Create With Me Challenge! Last month, you voted for us to make a project using natural wood, which is speaking my DIY language!
Since I found out baby #3 was a girl, I knew I wanted to make her a farmhouse style nursery. Don’t worry, I’ll be sharing alllll the details very soon.
Natural wood is an essential part of farmhouse style decor, so I knew I could make something for her room with a cheap wood slice I picked up from Michaels.
After failing at a couple different ideas (note: you cannot do iron-on transfers to wood slices), I decided to stick with simple, neutral colors and her beautiful name: Evelyn Rose (more on that in another post).
I started by painting the wood slice in Martha Stewart Vintage Decor Paint in Linen.
Next, I used one of those brushes with thick bristles (aka not a really expensive brush) so that the paint lines would show through. I also left some of the edges exposed.
Next, I tried to do the iron-on transfer of some pretty watercolor flowers and boy did that fail.
While I tried to figure out how I was going to salvage the ruined portion of the wood slice (because I had already ruined the OTHER side of the wood slice), I decided to add some pretty cursive for her name.
I love the dramatic swashes before and after words. I Think I mentioned before that I’m a font junkie. Tell me I can download a free font and you bet I’m going to do it. Especially if it comes with pretty doodles. I designed her name on Picmonkey.com (SO easy) and printed it out.
Using the same method I’ve used to transfer words to any material before, I transferred the printed out name onto the wood slice. Basically, color the back of the paper with pencil, tape that side onto the wood slice, then trace overtop with a pen or pencil. It magically transfers the the perfect font onto the wood slice. No free-handing required!
(See the gross watercolor transfer in the corner. It turned out so yellow ewwww!!!!)
With the pencil tracing on the wood slice, I was easily able to color along the lines with a regular black sharpie. I really wanted to use a gray chalk pen, but didn’t have one (the horror!!!).
Because the black sharpie was a little too harsh (I prefer a more muted tone), I applied some white wax over the surface. Then, I quickly wiped off any excess with a paper towel. A quick wipe with some antiquing wax added a vintage look that I absolutely love!
With the name complete, I had to do something with the yellow disaster in the corner. I ventured to my faux floral stash and found the perfect peach blossoms from last spring. They were a white/beige/cream color. With my handy glue gun, I strategically placed the flowers over the gross yellow.
I think I actually like it better with a bit of dimension that the flowers add.
And that was it! If I didn’t try two other designs first, this really would have only taken me 15 minutes (not including drying time for the paint/waxes). Plus, it only cost me a few dollars for the wood slice!
Ahh doesn’t it look so vintage and cute?! It’s perfect for my sweet little girl’s room. I can’t decide if I want to hang it on her door or put it on some shelves I’m planning to make over her new dresser (oh that’s also a makeover!).
The combination of antique and white wax really transforms the whole sign.
So, what do you think?
What should we use for our next challenge? Vote on these Valentine’s Day – themed supplies below!!
Images via Amazon.com, Joann.com, and Freeimages.com
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Want to see more natural wood projects? Check out these other creative projects from some talented blogging ladies.
Personalized Nursery Wood Slice Sign- Making Joy and Pretty Things
Driftwood Mirror- Little Bits of Home
Wood Slice Winter Garland- My Life from Home
Natural Wood Shelf- Our House Now a Home
Mini Wood Slice Wine Charms- Two Purple Couches
Art Using Twigs- Knock it Off Kim
Wood Slice Garland- Our Crafty Mom
Wishing you a joyful day, friends!
Kim says
So adorable! What a lovely idea for a name sign – I bet it looks so sweet in your daughter’s room!
Sarah @ Making Joy and Pretty Things says
Thanks so much, Kim!! I can’t wait to put it in her room 🙂
Patrice Pawlak says
JUST BEAUTIFUL!!!!!
Sarah @ Making Joy and Pretty Things says
Thank you so much!! 🙂
Samantha says
Oh my word, I would have never guessed that this was your Plan B! It is so beautiful!! I love her name and I love how the flowers look on the raw wood! Pinning!
Sarah @ Making Joy and Pretty Things says
Aww thanks Samantha! I love the backup plan more than my original plan! When does that ever happen haha. I’m so glad you like it!
Michelle James says
This turned out so lovely! What a great personalized sign & I love the flowers!
Sarah @ Making Joy and Pretty Things says
Thanks so much Michelle!
Amy @ My Life From Home says
It turned out great! I love the combination of the rustic wood and the pretty flowers! Adorable!
Sarah @ Making Joy and Pretty Things says
Thanks Amy! The flowers did pair so nicely with the wood. Glad I have extra flowers lying around 😉
Bonnie says
That is such a cute idea! I love it because it looks so feminine.
Sarah @ Making Joy and Pretty Things says
Aww thanks Bonnie! I’m excited I get to actually make feminine decor now that I’m having a sweet little girl!!
Emily says
This is adorable! I love the dimension that the faux flowers add!
Sarah @ Making Joy and Pretty Things says
Thanks Emily!! The flowers turned out to be my favorite part!
Chelsea @ The Johnsons Plus Dog says
I absolutely love how it turned out!! 🙂 super cute. Can’t wait to see the whole nursery. Congrats.
Sarah @ Making Joy and Pretty Things says
Aww thanks Chelsea! I can’t wait to get started on the nursery!
Chelsea Wolf says
I love happy mistakes! The fake flowers really make the whole piece! Love this idea and might have to use it for my boy nursery! Minus the flowers 🙂
Sarah @ Making Joy and Pretty Things says
Thanks so much Chelsea!! You could definitely do a wood slice name sign for a boy’s nursery, too! Though, I agree the flowers may not work 😉
Lora says
Very cute! I love wood slices for wall art because they add nice depth and texture – the flowers even more so!
Sarah @ Making Joy and Pretty Things says
Thanks so much Lora! It’s definitely going to be a focal point in her new nursery!
Naphtali says
This is adorable. My first born daughter is named Evelyn Rose!
Sarah @ Making Joy and Pretty Things says
Thank you so much!! It’s a beautiful name 🙂
Shani | Sunshine & Munchkins says
So cute! I love how you just came up with another idea to cover up the mistake. I’ve totally done the same thing, haha.
Sarah @ Making Joy and Pretty Things says
Thanks Shani!! I’m pretty sure I’m covering up a mistake more times than not, I just don’t always admit it haha!! Glad you do it, too!
Vanessa (nifty thrifty things) says
This is such a cute idea and a beautiful name!
XO! Vanessa
Sarah @ Making Joy and Pretty Things says
Thanks so much Vanessa!
Kendra @ www.joyinourhome.com says
So sweet! Congratulations!! xo
Sarah @ Making Joy and Pretty Things says
Thank you!! We are so excited!
Lindi says
Is Evelyn Rose your daughter’s name? I saw this on Pinterest and I HAD to click over! That’s my daughter’s name too! Crazy!
Sarah @ Making Joy and Pretty Things says
Is it really?! That is my daughter’s name (who is due April 14th!). Evelyn was my grandma’s name 🙂 Great minds think alike!
Amber says
This is beautiful! I would love to make one for my daughter’s bedroom. What is the name of the font you used? It’s gorgeous handwriting!
Sarah @ Making Joy and Pretty Things says
Thanks so much Amber!!! The font is called “hide away” and I purchased it from Creative Market. Honestly, it’s probably not worth it to buy the font. Creative Market gives out 6 free items every Monday so watch out for a pretty font you like and download it for free 🙂
Emily says
I was just wondering where you found the wood? It’s such a cute idea and I’ve been looking for planks for awhile now.
Sarah @ Making Joy and Pretty Things says
Hi Emily! I found the wood slice at Michaels! It was from a few months ago but I’m pretty sure they still sell it. If not, you could try Hobby Lobby 🙂
Jeni Herriman says
Absolutely stunning I love this. Would you mind telling me what font that is please xxx
Sarah @ Making Joy and Pretty Things says
Thank you! I’m sorry I don’t remember what font I used. I get all my custom fonts from Creative Market though. Canva also has some nice free fonts!