DIY Merry and Bright Pallet Sign

It's time for another Monthly DIY Challenge!

I have to say, I have been feeling a bit off lately and really needed this challenge to kick me in the butt to get motivated. I'm sure you have noticed it's been awhile since I've actually completed and posted a project, so it was nice to finally get out my paint and tools and get to work.

This month's theme was "reclaimed wood" and I knew right away I wanted to use pallet wood. It's free and the boards are perfect for creating DIY signs. Since Christmas is only a few weeks away I chose to go a bit festive this time and create a "Merry and Bright" sign for our freshly painted fireplace.

SUPPLIES NEEDED TO MAKE PALLET SIGN
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- Pallet Board (see how to easy remove boards here)

-Dark Stain (I used Minwax Epony )

- White Chalk Paint

- Sand Paper

- Alphabet Stencils

- Sharpie Oil Based Marker

HOW TO MAKE A PALLET SIGN

First and foremost you have to get your pallet boards apart without breaking or cracking them. The easiest way I've found to dismantle pallets is with a hammer and rubber mallet.

If you take your time and do it properly you can remove full boards without cracking or breaking them. Older, aged pallets will need to be taken apart with more care.

As with most projects, this one evolved over time. I originally thought I wanted to make the sign red, but after washing the board (I mixed paint and water) with red paint I hated how it looked. It ended up way too pink and not the look I was going for. I then decided to go over the board with ebony stain, which I still wasn't feeling.

The ding, ding, ding, moment came after I covered the stain with white chalk paint. After sanding the edges (do not paint all the way to the edge) and distressing the board the sign was ready for lettering.

Instead of applying paint over the stencils I opted to trace them and fill in the letters using a black oil based Sharpie. It takes a bit more time, but I find it's the best way to avoid bleeding paint.

I debated whether or not to distress the letters, but in the end I left them as is for a cleaner look. The sign looks like it was made to be placed just above our metal fireplace surround.