DIY Initial Wooden Sign

Add custom flair to your holiday décor this season with a DIY initial wooden sign!

When the holidays roll around, I love adding new pieces to my décor.  It’s fun to switch out the old with something new and fresh.  This year I decided to add a custom piece that’s not only perfect for the holidays, but can also be used as everyday décor!  How awesome is that?  I love when pieces can transition from holiday to everyday use!  

Check out the full video tutorial below to see how to make your own DIY initial wooden sign!

Materials:

• Square Craft Shape (Material: Baltic Birch Plywood, Longest Dimension: 12 inch, Shape Thickness: 1⁄4 inch)

• Baltic Birch Wood Letters (Text: Q, Font: Melody Sans, Finish: Unpainted, Height: 6 inch, Thickness: 1⁄4 inch, Mounting: None)

• Script Wood Letters (Text: quinones, Font: Apricots, Finish: Unpainted, Height: 2 inch, Thickness: 1⁄4 inch, Letter Connect: Each Word Connected)

• Two ¼" Square Dowel Rods

• White Acrylic Paint

• Paint Brush (angled and Foam)

• Beacon Adhesive Mutli-Grip Adhesive

• 12”x12” Sheet of Adhesive Vinyl (Red)

• Paper Trimmer

• Clamping Miter Box and Saw

• Sandpaper - (150)

• Craft Knife and Cutting Mat

• Paper Towel

• DecoArt Americana Gel Stain (Oak)

Step 1: Add a layer of white acrylic paint to the wooden square shape.  Let the paint dry.  If it needs additional coverage, add another coat of paint.

Step 2: Add a coat of paint to the top of the initial letter as well as the full last name using a foam paint brush.  For both of these, you’ll only be painting the top–the sides will have the pretty wood finish

Step 3: Once the paint is dry on the initial letter and last name, use sandpaper to rough up the edges and top to give both a rustic look.

Step 4: Using a paper trimmer, cut 8 strips of red vinyl measuring ¼" and 2 strips measuring ½".

Step 5: Starting with the ½" vinyl pieces, peel off the backing of both and add them to the center of the wooden square in the shape of a cross.  Press down on them with your hand to make sure they’re adhered. Then, add two ¼" vinyl pieces to each side of the ½" vinyl piece, leaving a space of ¼".  You”ll do this step with both the horizontal ½" strip and the vertical ½" strip.

Step 7: Flip the wooden square over and trim any excess vinyl using a craft knife or scissors.

Step 8: Add adhesive to the back of the initial letter and glue it the wooden square.  The last name will be glued below.

Step 9: Cut the wooden trim so you have 2 pieces of 12” trim and 2 pieces of 11 ½" trim.

Step 10: Using a foam paint brush, add stain to all 4 of the trim pieces.  Then, use a paper towel to remove the excess stain.  Let all of them dry.

Step 11: Starting with one of the 12” pieces of trim, add adhesive to the back and add it to the top of the wooden square.  Then, add the other 12” piece to the bottom.  Add the other two trim pieces to the sides.

That’s it!  You are now left with a beautiful and custom home décor piece for the holidays and beyond!  To take this project one step further, you could add a different paint color to the wooden square and choose a different color of vinyl.  Since this project is 100% customizable it also makes the perfect gift! If you want to make your own DIY initial wooden sign, head on over to Craft Cuts were you can currently get 20% off their website. Don’t wait, this sale ends November 17th! After that, you can use MEGHAN10 to get 10% off of your order until November 20, 2021!