Oh have I got a good one for you today {I hope}. What I want most out of this blog is to connect with you girls. My prayer is that you leave every post with a giggle,touched heart,new found friendship or INSPIRATION! And girls...do I have some for you! I have been working on this picture above for days now and I'm going to take you step by step...
I first started with some good ole' inspiration. I saw this sign and it just tickled my fancy! But for $329.00 I will just enjoy their inspiration for free~
Now I know some of you worry about getting it just perfect,letters and all... Take a close look at Pottery Barns version...perfect? No...so do you think you can? Great I just knew you would say Yes!
I used a thin piece of board for mine because I didn't want to hang anything too heavy. I measured out my squares. 6 across and 6 down. You can make them any size you want depending on your board. I tried to stick with PB dimensions.
I painted it an ivory color. You need to go with something light because we will be staining later. I used a cup to draw my circles.
Paint your circles in black. I used craft paint from walmart if your wondering.
For those of you that are like me and need some extra help....print your font on paper and use as a guide.
You can use trace paper or I tend to just trace over the font and use a little bit of pressure.
You are now ready to paint in your letters. It will seem like you will spend days here but just take your time and have some fun with it!
Now for those neat little accent lines around your letters..I used a lid from a thermos.
Just dip in in a saucer of paint and press down.
I didn't make a complete circle on all of them. I just had fun with it and tried not to copy PB line for line. Be creative with yours. Let YOU... show through!
After your beauty dries completely you will need to age that baby up. This is always my favorite part of the process. I just used a stain that I had around my house.
Now the only problem you may have is deciding where to put your art!
You know we have to move it around the house a time or two...you know, playing house!
And just so you leave here with a giggle. This is me trying to be all cool and stuff...showing you my before hair picture..
Yesterday I had them take out my boo boo that I did back in May. I decided to brighten up myself and go a bit lighter for the first time in my life. No after pictures here just yet. I will have to go back a few more times because it is an on going process with this dark hair. Who knows ...you may just catch me off guard and get a sneak peek of the "in between" look. Husband and kids like it and allowed me to stay the night in the house so I guess all is well....now go girls. Inspire someone today. Even if it's just a smile~
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133 comments:
Oh. My. Word. That is brilliant! Gorgeous! Do you think you could send it to my house?
Okay how cool are you!!?!?!! I LOVE IT!! You did such a great job, I think my house needs one but I'm with ya, where would I put it? Ahhh I'm sure I'd be able to find a spot. :)
i love that! how clever.
I did a post on this a little while ago about how easy it would be to do and how much pottery barn knocked up the price--you did an aaaaaamazing job!!!! :)
Very pretty Susie! You are so creative. Love it! :)
How fun and Whimsy is this?! Love your tutorial...I can't tell the diffrence from your inspiration picture...are you going to sell these too? Beautiful and creative work!
Hugs,
~Victoria~
Excellent! and what do you know I have those same cups. Glad you showed us how to do it. You are just too smart!! I'm working on a couple of sewing projects, but would love to give this a try. Jackie
Susie! You have out done yourself on that one! I LOVE it! Thanks for such a great tutorial.
Love, love, love this!! Inspired? YES!! I will be attempting to copy this! (Notice I said "attempting"??!!)
You are so unbelievably CREATIVE and ISPIRING! I just wish I had a wall big enough in my house to do something like this...but it gives me an idea to just take a one letter, or a few and scale it down a bit! Oh, I can't wait! Thank you for the tutorial. Oh, and also, I'm now on the hunt for a shutter!
SIMPLY LOVE IT...HAVE A GRAND DAY
Oh good morning Miz Susie,
You've definitely given me a smile this morning, several in fact *smiles* and I needed those smiles. Thank you for being you!
SMILES!
xoxo!
What a great project! Absolutely love it.
I don't know if I'd have the patience to do it but may have to try.
Thanks for the tutorial.
Ok, you just verified my suspicions. You. Can. MAke. ANYTHING! Love this and it looks so fantastic! I may have to give this a try on a smaller scale. LOVE how it turned out.
Ok, you just verified my suspicions. You. Can. MAke. ANYTHING! Love this and it looks so fantastic! I may have to give this a try on a smaller scale. LOVE how it turned out.
Oh Susie - I would love to see your hair! My hair is also very dark and I use a rinse to cover those pesky grays!!! But, the last few months I've been adding a few highlights hoping it will help the grays blend in and also to keep me from ending up with that *too old for that dark* hair look. heehee!!
Are you highlighting or lightening your color all over?
LOVE the number/letter pic - great job!!
tina
tinam61@yahoo.com
Susie,
That picture "tickles my fancy" too so I think I'm going to have to paint one. Thanks for all the excellent directions.
Can't wait to see your hair.
Gretchen
Awesome! Awesome! Great Job
Susie, honest to goodness, when I saw that in the Pottery Barn catalog I just knew you would make one!! Awesome job. I love it. :)
WOW!!! I think it's so awesome that you took something that they spit out on a line, and made it your own. It's fabulous!!! :) Great work, Susie. I am having so much fun getting to know you through your blog. :)
wow, that is amazing! you did a fantastic job. love it.
You are AMAZING! What a cute idea. I don't know if I have the patience for that or not. I will pass the idea on to my daughter - she is the one with the painting talent. Have a super day and thanks as always for sharing.
Charla
love it!!!!!!
That is so cool. You've inspired me today!
Thanks again.
Oh, and thanks for the nice comment you left on my blog.
WOW It looks like a lot of work but it turned out fantastic. What a great one of a kind for your home, or did you make one for sis too? I have a feeling you'll be making another.
Now, what about those yard sticks?
Oh I LOVE this! not sure if I'd have the patience to do it, but it sure would look good in my new office I'm working on!! ....hmmmmm, may have to give it a try- what size board did you use?
~TidyMom
Love it! What a great idea and yours looks beautiful!
Susie,
I love your board! Must have taken you hours to paint all those circles and letters in. Wish summer wasn't drawing to a close cause I might have to try it myself.....
Happy Thursday!
FANTASTIC!!!
Well now yours looks like you could have easily paid $300 for it!! Great job, there was a lot of work involved. Thanks for sharing the step by step!
~Michelle
WOW!!! I love this! I have to decorate the town's middle school's lunch room and need some art. Although, how could I EVER get rid of something so cool? Thank you for the step by step instructions. And, you have a cute personality that made it even funner!
Cute mirror pics, too!
You ROCK girlfriend!
I love it! I "dog-eared" that page in the PB catalog, too. I was actually thinking of decopauging printouts of a typewriter key font (http://www.typadelic.com/typekeys.html) onto a canvas and then staining it...but I think I like your version better! What kind of board did you use? Thanks for sharing!!!
oh susie! that looks great! it is so perfect! you are talented my friend! i needed a smile today! thanks! julie
I just wanted to thank you ahead of time for sending me one...
you are toooooo sweet.
xo
AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING... Did I ever mention my favorite thing {well one of them} is TYPOGRAPHY?? I am so making this!! What size piece of wood did you use?? Thanks for doing a tutorial!
FaNtasTisc JoB! Don't you love old looking stuff that doesn't have to be perfect. Vintage Eclectic has to be the best decorating style around. I have an entire folder of fancy/expensive magazine pages tha I'll copy one day (when I move to a huge house that had enought space for all the ideas in my head).
Love it!
Absolutely love it!! You did an amazing job on this!
Love it, and you made it look so easy to duplicate. Thanks!
That is great!Gave me an idea.
I'll share it on my blog when i get it done.
blessings,
Barbara Jean
What a great project! So thrifty of you, too :)!! It turned out beautifully, and thanks for the instructions!
Blessings,
Stacey
Susie what a fabulous project! I would have looked at that in PB and said wow I'd love to have that, and that would have been the end. But girl you are so talented and said "I can do this". Thank you for showing us how!
That is beautiful!
Now THAT is neat! Very generous of you to share how you did it! Love your blog! Karen
I JUST saw this in my PB catalog and was wanting to make it. Thank you so so so much for the wonderful tutorial!!
That's fantastic! I love your very professional tools, too. ;) My mind immediately jumped to a twist- a "word search" type thing with your family name, or homey-type words hidden among the jumbled letters.
Girl, you ROCK! I love it!
Oh, Susie! This is absolutely divine!!! I am in love with it, and I love that you gave a tutorial! It's brilliant!
Dang Girl! You really did an amazing replica of the PB version. Shoot, I don't know if I'm talented enough to make it myself though - but you sure did provide a kick butt tutorial. I don't know if I even dare to try.
Oh ma gosh, that is one awesome piece of artwork! I love the graphicness (is that a word??) of it. Gosh, it's gorgeous! I have about 200 spots in my home that would love to be decorated with that baby. Thanks for the inspiration!!
Oh yeah one more question:
What font did you use??
You did an AMAZING job on that art piece! You are so creative.
That was so sweet of you to share how you made it.
Have a great week!
Aimee
Awesome job! Very creative, too! I have some copy-cat projects in the works myself...just really slow to get them finished! It takes time, doesn't it?! You have been an inspiration to me!
Susie, you make it look so simple! Thanks for the tutorial...I get catalogs like PB and Ballard and Wisteria just for the inspiration!
And I can't wait to see the "afters." : )
That turned out so great! You did a wonderful job! I have been reading your blog for a long time now, and I love it! Keep up the good work. So inspiring!:)
It looks amazing!!! Way to go girl! Thanks so much for sharing your techniques. I may have to try my own...one day...when my laundry room gets done. In 2012. ;)
Wow - I just came across your blog today and I am just sitting here with my mouth hanging open in awe of how creative you are!
I can't wait to see more....running off to read the rest!
Your posts always inspire me to make my house pretty! You make it look so easy.
Love it! I may have to try and make one but in primary colors for the boys playroom.
I say that a couple of weeks ago in PB. Couldn't believe the price, but wanted one. Your vision is great, fab, and I'm doing one. Thanks so much for sharing Suzie. You are the best.
That is so fun Susie! Great job! You are so creative.
I'm a fan of PB but their prices make the hubby shake his no.
I saved your piece in my Etsy favorites. Hopefully I'll be able to make a purchase soon.
You are amazing, and super uber talented! Really.
Can't wait to see your new do =)
I LOVE this, Susie. It's so cool!!
okay i've never ever comment although i do love your blog and follow you <3 but this is just so over-the-top~i love it!!! awesome job! thanks for sharing~Liz K.
Susie, you have outdone yourself on this one. And I love it! What a great project. You made it look workable and actually easy. I love wood projects but don't attempt them because I feel nervous about trying something I don't know much about. But this I have got to try. Thank you. My little poopsie is leaving in 6 days....I was glad to read that your son is nearby. I'm glad for that.
Blessings,
Debbie
I saw your art on etsy...yesterday I believe and I LOVE IT! Great job! It's gorgeous and just my style. I hope that when I have the time... that I can make one it and turns out as beautiful as yours. If not..I just may have to shop! ;) Thanks for the inspiration!
Can't wait to see your new look!
TGIF! Enjoy the weekend!
Roeshel
Hey...I can't wait to see that hair either...What ya doin this weekend? Call me at work later...I have a project idea for you...remind me of tha kitchen wall!
this is amazing...thank you for sharing your plan for making it with everyone. i love love love it. it would be so great in my house.
Wow ~ you certainly are the creative clever type gal! Love it.
Jo
This is impressive my friend. Good thinking!
Wow! Very clever and extremely cute!
i think the other commenters have taken all the good words! let's just say that you are a genius!
You are just amazing is all I can say! Actually I can say more...LOVE IT SO MUCH!! How cool is that! You are so smart! Beautifully done!
Manuela
Oh that turned out fantastic!
I guess I haven't gotten a new PB catalog in awhile, cause I have not seen this one! You clever thing, you. It's too cute!
You may never have a chance to read this comment; you're getting so many on this post. But you should be getting this many! This is awesome! I cannot believe you did this. I am SO BAD at painting little things that I never would have thought to try this. But it's so wonderful. . . maybe I should give it a go! Oh, I love it. I'll say it again--it's so wonderful.
Love what you have done Susie, that is amazing and you are so talented.
Thanks for sharing.
Glad the family like your new hairdo and look forward to seeing it, if you want to show us.
Hugs and have a happy weekend
Carolyn
Your are amazing! I love it, what a great project. I think yours looks better than PB.
I give you the tutorial of the year award, that was amazing, thank you for posting and sharing...
I believe it will look great no matter where you place it.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Regards, CAM
THat is fabulously awesome!
We are going to Donnie and Pams camp for the weekend. Camo Man is gonna cook steaks and I think Donnie is cooking shrimp. Will be back Sun. around noon. I need to come over and see your hair. This is sad, we live five miles from each other and have to talk on a blog.... Its late call me tomm. on Camo Mans cell.
what a great tutorial! i love it.
i want to see your hair, though!
PB needs to watch out for you! Your version looks awesome.
It looks amazing. I'm new to your blog and I love it. I wanted to remind you to participate in my giveaway. It started yesterday and it will go on until Monday. Have a wonderful weekend!
That is a super nifty project!
WHOA...that is one amazing conversation piece! LOVE it. And thanks for the instructions on how to make our own!
~Amanda
You are brilliant! I like your version of the sign better than PB, because you can tell it is hand painted and not screen printed.
That came out so incredibly amazing!!! I can't get over it..
Thank you so much for the tutorial!
This is fabulous! I love getting expensive catalogs in the mail or visiting their websites for inspiration. Well done!
Jane
Wow! You did an eXcellent job re-creating an (over-priced) PB piece with your own creative touches. I loooove typography art. Saving this inspiration in my "must-do" project file. ThanX for the tute (and the smiles).
You are so clever! I saw this in Pottery Barn catalog and just sighed. It was so vintage-y beautiful, but I'm not paying that much. I'm taking your button, girl. Brilliance should always be rewarded!
Brenda
oh girl you out did yourself!!! I love it!!! Way to go!!!
Thanks for the step by step instructions!!The not so talented (me!) need those! ~amy
Wow! You did an AMAZING job and such a great tutorial!
Beautiful!! Love the little details!
Stopped here by way of Hooked on Houses. Love this! Thanks for the how-to.... would love to copy this!
Blessings ~ Eileen @ Star's Fault
Absolutely awesome!!!! Necessity really of the mother of invention!
m ^..^
FANTASTIC!!!!!!!
Well, as the 99 before me, I too am wowed by your take on the PB piece. I think yours looks better. I found your blog through the Hooked On Houses blog and am adding you to my blog list next!
Inspirational!
It looks amazing, thanks so much for the tutorial!
You are soooo clever! I love that "PB" look but never the high price! You outdid yourself on this one!
Absolutely darling!!
I always try to copy PB and Ballard looks but just on a shoe-string budget. Makes it more fun....kind of like a treasure hunt!
Thanks for a great post!!
That is so clever! Thank you so much for the step by step guide! It makes me think about other ways to use this technique - super cool!
THIS IS THE PERFECT THING FOR THE LETTERED COTTAGE!!!
You rock for figuring out how to make such an incredible look-a-like!
Can't wait to give you a big squeeze on Friday! :-)
Layla
The Lettered Cottage
I just put my ABC's up on my mantel and posted about it... Thank you for the tutorial... I LOVE how it turned out!!
Just returned from Home Depot with my 42" x 42" board! I have the perfect spot for this awesome piece!
Thanks for the tute! I can only hope mine turns out half as gorgeous!
Ellen
Gosh are you talented...I love it!!
:) T
Another awesome project! I have not seen the new PB catalog so I wouldn't have known...this is simply cute!
truly fabulous! I just knew one of the talented girls in blogland would make one of these. Just gorgeous and love the tutorial.
So beautiful and inspiring. Wow.
Steph
What an absolutely gorgeous sign. You did such an awesome job.
I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can't wait to see your after picture.
Ruth
amazing! You are so inspiring-you make everything look so easy. Thanks for sharing.
Just brilliant! I love this!
This is an absolute inspiration! I love it and can't wait to try on my own. Thanks for the tutorial! Love your blog!
You've inspired me! I too saw the PB version in the catalog and knew it was way out of my budget. I'm going to give this a try for sure! Thanks for the great tutorial!
It's so perfect! I love it!!
Hello! New to your blog! I love it. Love all of your ideas. Thank you.
Ok, so... I've wanted that sign since I saw it in my catalog. Now I have one. Thanks to you! I made it today. It's not perfect, but I'm super excited about how it turned out. Thanks for the inspiration!!! xoxo
Oh wow do I love this! I should start looking at those catalogs rather than tossing them!
very cool! do you still have one for sale? i went to look but zip... :(
Here's my version.
http://nouveaustitch.wordpress.com/2009/08/17/all-keyed-up/
Thank you SO MUCH for the tute!
Ellen
be still my heart! some people are just born with a gift and talent and the rest of us just try to copy lol!!
BRILLIANT-I have been looking at that too. I have an idea to make one step easier.
Once you draw the circles on, couldn't you print off all your font on sticker paper and put all the stickers down, then paint the circles black and when drt pull up the stickers, then do the thermos lid, stain and be done. Just my crazy thoughts.
I hope you will post this on next weeks Knock Off Knock Out party.
Cheri
Its So Very Cheri
I LOVE this! Glad we keep Pottery Barn around for the ideas, but I love being able to create the same look for a fraction of their prices. Thanks!
I love browsing the PB catalog, but I never buy anything. It has such great ideas, but the prices amaze me. Thank you for sharing how you made this picture, for much less.
I don't understand how you got the letters onto the black circles. You printed out the letters, laid the on the black circle, traced the outline, and it made an indention on the wood that then you could follow as you painted the letters white?
love it! I'll be making one very soon!
I just tripped over your blog and am I glad I did... I will be hanging on this link let me tell you... thank you so much for sharing your inspiration... and your tutorial was excellent... fantastic job... I love it.
No way. That is so awesome! I love it and will probably use this tutorial someday! Thank you! I've got a PB look alike too that I did that I'll have to show you sometime. :)
Oh.my...sooo awesome!You make my dreams come true!!....you and my hubby.tee hee Thank you for inspiring me and making it easy!! Thank you Thank you. I'm sooo tickled with excitement.Evelyn
WOW!! You are a woman after my own heart! I love what you created! I'm forever making my own art to save a buck, and everything around me inspires!
Love your blog...just found it today...I will be stalking...I mean following! :)
Blessings!
Wow! This is amazing! I will be remembering this for future projects!
I love this and will be going to get the supplies to make it tonight! Your blog is absolutely wonderful and has definitely inspired me to get back to being the creative crafty person I am! I was wondering if you knew how to get look of the "Planked Pony" on Pottery Barn's website? Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
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