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Decorating and Home, Tutorials

Giant Distressed Fall Sign

September 11, 2013

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Make a big impact this Fall with a GIANT Distressed Sign!
Make a big impact with this Giant Distressed Fall Sign! from LoveGrowsWild.com #diy #sign #fall

It may be 97 degrees here in good old Indiana today, but I just can’t take it anymore! Ever since I planted some pretty yellow mums in a galvanized bucket by my front door I’ve been wanting to dress my breezeway up for Fall! You may remember the original makeover my patio got a month or so ago and how much of a difference a little paint and fabric made! I kept the patio furniture and area rug neutral colors so it would be easy to change up the decor for each new season. To make the transition to Autumn, all I need to do is switch out the pillow covers and add a few Fall accessories! 
I’ve been a little obsessed with making distressed signs lately (have you check out this one and this one from my kitchen makeover?), so of course I wanted to make one for my patio too! I spotted this extra big sign from Priscilla’s on Pinterest one day and knew something like this would fit perfectly next to my front door!
I did a really great detailed post a few months back about how to create distressed signs, so I’m just going to give you the basic run down of how I created this new sign for my patio. If you want to see all my tips and tricks for creating perfect distressed signs, you can check that post out here!
I first picked up a 6 foot 1 x 12 from the hardware store. 
Make a big impact with this Giant Distressed Fall Sign! from LoveGrowsWild.com #diy #sign #fall
I wanted to create a gorgeous distressed finish on the sign with creamy white paint on top and dark wood stain underneath. I’ve used this Minwax Dark Walnut stain on quite a few projects, and I just love the color! So I first applied a layer of dark walnut to each side of the board using a foam brush. I’m NOT a big fan of cleaning stain out of brushes, so I usually stock up on inexpensive foam brushes and just pitch them when I’m done! 
After letting the stain set for about 15-20 minutes, I wiped away any stain that hadn’t soaked into the wood yet. Then I gave the side I wanted as the front of my sign a light sanding to prep it for paint. Paint  won’t want to stick very well to the stain if you don’t sand first!

Make a big impact with this Giant Distressed Fall Sign! from LoveGrowsWild.com #diy #sign #fall
After sanding the board, I wiped away all the dust to get it ready for paint. I wanted to leave the letters on my sign the dark wood, so I applied vinyl letters I created using my Silhouette CAMEO. Using a cutting machine like the Silhouette is such an easy way to create custom lettering like this! I use mine ALL the time! (Psst! There’s a big Silhouette sale going on through 9/13! You’re welcome!)

Make a big impact with this Giant Distressed Fall Sign! from LoveGrowsWild.com #diy #sign #fall
I just stuck the letters on my board and painted over them in my favorite white paint, Heirloom Lace. I applied two coats and removed the vinyl letters as soon as I finished my second coat. It’s better to take them off when your paint is still wet, versus letting the paint dry around the vinyl! Once the paint was all dry (which didn’t take long in this crazy heat), I took my palm sander to the sign! I sanded over the entire board, focusing especially on the corners and edges. I sanded and sanded until I was happy with the amount of “distress” I created on the board. And my hand was numb. And the sun went down. It was a rough day. (Get it?? Rough… sanding… OH Liz, you need sleep!) All that gorgeous walnut stain peeks through behind the white and makes the sign look like it has been around for ages! I just cannot get enough of making these lovely signs!

Make a big impact with this Giant Distressed Fall Sign! from LoveGrowsWild.com #diy #sign #fall
I plopped my extra tall Fall sign in it’s new home by my front door along with some yellow mums and white pumpkins. I LOVE the impact this large sign makes, and it creates such a fun focal point when you walk into my breezeway! It definitely feels more warm and cozy in there now! 

Make a big impact with this Giant Distressed Fall Sign! from LoveGrowsWild.com #diy #sign #fallra 

Make a big impact with this Giant Distressed Fall Sign! from LoveGrowsWild.com #diy #sign #fall
Now I just need some new pillow covers for my chairs and a few more Fall accessories, and my patio will be officially ready for Fall!

Make a big impact with this Giant Distressed Fall Sign! from LoveGrowsWild.com #diy #sign #fall

So what do you think about my new Fall sign? Where would you put a tall sign like this in your home? What colors would you use? I’d love to hear what you think!
Check out more wood projects from Love Grows Wild:
Rustic Wood Kitchen Sign
Rustic Kitchen Sign
How to Create Distressed Signs
How to Create Distressed Signs
DIY Photo Clipboards
DIY Photo Clipboards

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P.S. I’m sharing this post at some awesome link parties… Check them out HERE!
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DIY Decor Fall
by Liz Fourez 
34 Comments

About Liz Fourez

View all posts by Liz Fourez

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Comments

  1. Susan D says: September 11, 2013 at 2:29 am

    I love it! I definitely to make some kind of sign for fall!

    Reply
  2. [email protected] says: September 11, 2013 at 2:43 am

    I LOVE this!!! I want to make one now, too. 🙂

    Reply
  3. Hilary Cook says: September 11, 2013 at 5:37 am

    I think it is funny that the fall sign is by your stairs.

    Reply
  4. Tanya Runkle says: September 11, 2013 at 7:21 am

    Oooh I want one of these!!! This is awesome Liz, Pinning and making one 🙂 xo

    Reply
  5. Kelly || Old Blue Silo says: September 11, 2013 at 2:08 pm

    This is adorable! It has been hot. Ugh. I am chilling inside, AC on 70 with coffee and things like broccoli cheese soup in a state of denial. I haven’t made my annual mum purchase yet because I want it to cool off!

    Love your porch. So cozy 🙂

    Reply
  6. Paula says: September 11, 2013 at 6:37 pm

    I love Hilary’s comment:) Your sign is wonderful, I love how large you made it!

    Reply
  7. AngelaMuir says: September 12, 2013 at 12:33 am

    this is SO cute. i need one asap
    http://www.handmadeintheheartland.com

    Reply
  8. Carissa Rasmussen says: September 12, 2013 at 2:31 pm

    i really love all your signs. i can’t wait to make one for fall now:)

    Reply
  9. Fender's Mom says: September 13, 2013 at 1:40 am

    I LOVE this sign!

    Reply
  10. Lyuba @ Will Cook For Smiles says: September 13, 2013 at 2:57 am

    I love how you made a brand new sign look rustic! Beautiful!
    Love this sign 🙂

    Reply
  11. AndiWinslow says: September 13, 2013 at 11:15 am

    LOVE it I just made a sign copy cat of pinterest. Sent to my daughter in Texas. I love how it came out. Your sign is wonderful You did a great job. Thanks for posting. I am currently making a subway sign for Thanksgiving. So I will be working on that this weekend. Andi

    Reply
  12. brittany renee says: September 13, 2013 at 2:50 pm

    This adds such a nice touch to your porch. I love that a sign of that size makes such a statement. Nice job!

    Reply
  13. Jocelyn says: September 13, 2013 at 6:15 pm

    Ok, so this is exactly what I want for my cupcake sign above my cupboards….but probably not quite so big. Want to make me one???? 😉 LOL!

    Reply
  14. Sarah says: September 13, 2013 at 6:52 pm

    I am in love with wooden signs! Awesome job! http://churchstreetdesigns.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  15. Kelsey Poofy Cheeks says: September 14, 2013 at 1:15 am

    I am really smitten over this sign and your cozy porch area! -Pinned!

    Reply
  16. Adina Johnson says: September 14, 2013 at 1:59 am

    I love this sign! Just pinnedd it.

    Reply
  17. keri @ shaken together says: September 14, 2013 at 8:47 am

    GORGEOUS! Featuring this today on my FB page – thanks for linking it up at the {what’s shakin’} link party, Liz!

    Reply
  18. Carrie This Home says: September 14, 2013 at 2:26 pm

    I love this Fall sign! It’s so cute and simple–thanks for sharing how you did it! I’m stopping by from Get Schooled Saturday (#13 How To Put A Label On A Photo) Have a great weekend!

    Reply
  19. Taryn @ Design, Dining + Diapers says: September 15, 2013 at 3:29 am

    I absolutely love this Liz!!!! Its perfect on your porch.

    Reply
  20. kristi dominguez says: September 15, 2013 at 4:15 am

    Amazingness. Seriously….amazingness.

    Reply
  21. Jennifer Hughes says: September 15, 2013 at 6:51 pm

    I wanted to invite you to the Friday Flash Blog Party, the best linky in town! I hope you’ll join us and link up. Who knows. You may just get highlighted!

    The party goes on ALL weekend.

    Jennifer @ The Jenny Evolution
    http://www.thejennyevolution.com

    Reply
  22. Jody and Stan says: September 16, 2013 at 3:50 am

    Love your Fall Sign!! Would love for you to share at Simple & Sweet Fridays. So Creative!!

    Hugs,
    Jody

    Reply
  23. Capturing Joy with Kristen Duke says: September 16, 2013 at 4:10 am

    That looks gorgeous!! I will have to make one of these signs soon, I love the distressed look!

    Reply
  24. Deonna Wade says: September 16, 2013 at 6:41 pm

    I love this sign…so simple but pretty…I would want one for every season!

    Reply
  25. Suzie @ Dorothy Sue and Millie Bs too says: September 17, 2013 at 1:41 am

    I love it…. It’s gorgeous…. Great job!

    Reply
  26. Life With The Crust Cut Off says: September 18, 2013 at 7:55 pm

    This looks amazing!! I love it!!
    I would love to invite you to link it up at our new party Lovely Ladies Linky where you link up once and get seen on 6 blogs!!
    Link up starts Wednesdays!
    http://www.lifewiththecrustcutoff.com/lovely-ladies-linky-link-up-2/
    Hope to see you there 🙂
    Parrish @ Life With The Crust Cut Off

    Reply
  27. [email protected] says: September 25, 2013 at 6:37 am

    This is just awesome, I totally love it!!! Great job!

    Reply
  28. [email protected] says: September 26, 2013 at 1:21 pm

    Featuring YOU today over on my blog! Thank you so much for linking up to {wow me} wednesday!

    Ginger @ GingerSnapCrafts.com

    Reply
  29. delightfullynoted says: September 26, 2013 at 6:41 pm

    I love all your signs but have a quick question. I swear every time I attempt to make a sign with a vinyl stencil my letters bleed, most of the time too bad to even play it off as “rustic” or “distressed”. Have any tips on how to avoid that? I make sure my vinyl is rubbed down really well but it doesn’t seem to help at all!

    Reply
    • Liz Fourez says: September 27, 2013 at 10:01 am

      I’ve honestly never had an issue with the paint bleeding under the vinyl, but I’ve only tried it on wood so far though. My only suggestion would be to sand the piece a bit first so that the vinyl has something to cling to. For example, some glossy paints or stains have a really slick surface, so maybe the vinyl isn’t sticking very well. Try sanding first and wiping away all the dust VERY well. Also, maybe the brand of vinyl makes a difference? I usually use the Silhouette brand vinyl with no problems. I hope this helps!

      Reply
  30. Haley says: August 28, 2014 at 2:05 pm

    This is so great! Would you mind sharing font and rough size you did? Thanks a ton!

    Reply
    • Liz Fourez says: September 1, 2014 at 10:43 am

      Hey Haley! I don’t remember the exact font and size I used… I apologize!

      Reply
  31. Chels says: September 22, 2015 at 10:56 am

    I pinned this tutorial back when you first posted it and I’m so glad I did. My husband made me a “Welcome” sign over the weekend similar to this and I’m so thankful that you put the wood measurements down. When we were searching at Lowes for the right piece of wood, I was trying to describe what size I wanted it to be and I’ve pinned a few “signs” like this but you were the only one who put measurements down! So while I didn’t distress our sigh (we might still do that) and my husband painted the letters for a more personal, rustic touch, it did turn out beautiful with the help of this post. Thanks so much!
    IMG_8413.jpg

    Reply
  32. Julie says: October 3, 2015 at 8:14 pm

    Would it be possible to take measurements of your letters? That would save me a lot of time guessing and trying to figure it out myself. I just bought a cricut and this project has been on the top of my list! Thank you ever so much!!

    Reply

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Welcome, sweet friends! My name is Liz, and I started Love Grows Wild in 2012 with a passion for interior design and homemaking and a dream to help others create a home they love.
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Liz Fourez started Love Grows Wild in 2012 with a passion for interior design and homemaking and a dream to help others create a home they love.  From simple project tutorials, to holiday and entertaining ideas, to her journey renovating a 1940’s farmhouse, Liz demonstrates how to create a beautiful and inviting home with a handmade touch. She turned her signature cozy, neutral style into a best-selling book in 2016 and continues to inspire readers with her captivating photography and easy decorating ideas. Read more about Liz > > > >

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Did you know that I started blogging almost 9 year Did you know that I started blogging almost 9 years ago? It’s crazy to think I started building this little brand of mine almost a decade ago, but in 2017 I began wanting to share more than just online inspiration and reach people in a more personal way. 

That summer I opened a small retail shop in my favorite antique store in my home state of Indiana and filled it with items that I love and decorate my own home with.  Opening this little shop has been a natural extension of what I create on my blog and in my home and allows people to find my favorite things and decorating ideas all in one place.

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A few of my favorite finds were: an extra-long lumbar pillow for my sofa, beautiful black textured bowls that I can't decide if I want to actually use in my kitchen or decorate with, a bouquet of dried greenery, and a new dog bed for Remington. I will be sharing how I styled these items on the blog next week, so stay tuned!

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Which are you most excited to see? P.S. still absolutely obsessed with the new dining chairs 😍

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Yesterday I had a design meeting with one of my to Yesterday I had a design meeting with one of my toughest clients yet... my teenage son. 😂 Actually, he is probably the easiest person to please, and his requests for the upcoming bedroom makeover we are planning were pretty simple:

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