I am so excited to be participating with a few of my blogging friends in my first Knock Off project!
Be sure to see the other projects at the end of the post!
I've been wanting something above the cow in our kitchen for a while.
I was inspired to create the DINER sign by Pottery Barn.
Pottery Barn sells theirs for $59. Mine cost nothing because I already had the supplies.
I had this leftover piece of wood from the chalkboard menu board that I recently made. It's just a piece of plywood. It is 48 inches long and 9 inches wide.
After printing the letters, I taped them together 2 inches apart.
I painted the board in Everlasting by Americana Decor Chalky Finish Paints.
I centered the font on the board and taped it in place. I also folded over the sides so I could find the exact spot if it came away from the board. I did this first because with the next step, I wanted to place in the correct spot so I wouldn't transfer over any of the oil pastels unnecessarily.
I then turned the paper over to the wrong side and traced the backside of the letters very roughly with oil pastels.
Flip it back over and carefully place back on the board centered. I then trace the letters and the oil pastels leaves an outline. You can find the full tutorial for my font transfer method HERE.
I'm left with my traced letters. Just fill in with paint. I used a flat artist brush and painting in Relic by Americana Decor Chalky Finish Paints.
After I painted the letters, I just eyed it and applied painter's tape for 2 thin pin stripes in Relic as well.
I measured a piece of painters tape 8 inches long and placed it on a piece of cardstock. I cut it out and used as a template to trace. This was faster that taping off stripes on the sides.
All of the painting is complete. I then lightly distressed and wiped away all the dust with a dry cloth.
Before distressing
Using Americana Decor Chalky Finish products I applied clear and then dark wax. You can see the waxing method and tips HERE. These paints and waxes are so affordable and can be found at Home Depot, Hobby Lobby, Michaels and AC Moore.
The dark wax really gives and aged, vintage look.
To use my letters visit each link to save or print:
I hope you are inspired! Be sure to check out the other projects below!
Link Parties that OSH parties at on occasion! Sunday: DIY Show Off Monday: Between Naps on the Porch, Home Storis A to Z , Inspiration Monday– Refresh Restyle Tuesday: Not Just A Housewife, All Things Heart and Home, The Scoop at Cedar Hill Farmhouse and Inspire Me Party at A Stroll Thru Life, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia Wednesday: Savvy Southern Style Thursday: My Repurposed Life, From My Front Porch to Yours, Friday: French Country Cottage, Miss Mustard Seed Furniture Friday, Common Ground, Imparting Grace, Keep Calm and Link Up, Craftberry Bush – Inspiration Gallery Friday, SnapCreativity – Show and Tell, Tatertots and Jello
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Christy says
Thanks bunches!!
Christy says
Thanks bunches!!!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Pamela!!!
Pamela says
Your knock off Pottery Barn Dinner sign turned out great Christy!
Marty says
Perfect. I love this and such a great tutorial too. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me.
Christy says
You are so sweet!!! Thanks so very much, Jeanette!
Robin AllThingsHeartandHome says
Christy that’s the BEST knock off! I love signs and want to much to make them and you’ve made it sound like I can do it! (I have oil pastels 🙂 ) Thanks for linking to Twirl and Take a Bow..I’m pinning and going to ck out your font tutorial xo
Debbie says
Love it!! Great price too 😉
Debbie
Richella Parham says
Christy, I just love your Diner sign! You did a beautiful job on it, and it looks smashing in your lovely kitchen. You are a talented woman.
Thank you so much for joining Grace at Home–it means the world to me. I’m featuring you this week!
Christy says
Thanks so much!! I’ve found this method my go to for lots!!!
Kimm at Reinvented says
I LOVE IT! That’s a new technique for me to transfer the letters, so I’m thankful for new knowledge! 🙂 The sign looks amazing above that cute cow.
Wendi says
Great project choice and super tutorial. Thanks for sharing your transfer method too!
Jen says
Christy, I love how this turned out! I had no idea it was 4 ft long at first. It really compliments the space above your hutch – and it looks so much like the original. Great job!
Jeanette says
Your projects always look so high-end…absolute perfection. I love everything you do, Christy. Excellent tutorial as usual!
Nancy says
Oh that sign is awesome Christy!! I am such a sucker for a good sign!!! And that’s a really good one!! Love it!!
Nancy
Dria says
Christy this came out fantastic! I want something like this for my living room! You did an incredible job!
Christy says
Thanks Martina!!! Hey…I’m still not getting post emails from you. I’ve subscribed and confirmed twice. [email protected] if you are able to check.
Christy says
Thanks!!! I haven’t tried the varnish yet, but want to! Love how affordable it is! Nothing wrong with spray poly!!! I use it…fast and easy!!!
Christy says
Thanks, Paula! I only started using them because Ash had them to play with!!! They are great for this! Happy weekend to ya!
Christy says
Thanks! Have a great weekend!
Christy says
Thanks bunches sweet friend!
Christy says
Thanks! I’ve only done a couple of signs, but really love them!
Christy says
Thanks bunches!!! I will!
Christy says
Thanks so much! It was my first knock off project!!
Christy says
Thanks bunches!
Christy says
Thanks!!! This was my first…not sure why I haven’t done before!! Kind of addictive!
Christy says
Thanks so much! I’ll be sure to visit!
Christy says
Thanks so much!
Meegan says
Really CUTE! I could use this above my pantry door. I love the price, too 🙂
I am excited to pin it to for future reference
Kathy says
This is lovely, I’m featuring it on my Weekend Reflections with a direct link back here! Thanks for sharing.
Christy says
Great knock off, Christy! And free? Nothing is better than free! After I did my first knock off, I thought this was so easy…I created a fabulous project with no thought required since it was someone else’s idea…just call it a knock off ha ha. It’s a wonder I don’t do more of them. Yours is perfect! XO
Tami says
Christy,
Your sign turned out fantastic! I have yet to try the paints but definitely need to after seeing the results!
Have a great weekend!
~Tami
Cindy Jenkins says
Fantastic sign! I think it’s something I could actually make. And the cow just totally makes it!
Ashley says
Thank you so much for the great tutorial! I am so happy to see your painted your letters the old fashion way instead of using a die cut machine. 😉
I would love for you to share this project at my Show Me Saturday party this weekend. We go live at 7:00am EST. My readers would love this!
~ Ashley
Cindy says
Christy you did a great job. I really like that you aged and sanded this piece, it gives it more character.
Cindy
Marty says
I love it, looks fabulous. Great job.
Leslie says
Love it! Your version is great and thanks for the printable letters!
Paula says
Great project, Christy! This looks terrific above the buffet in your kitchen. I haven’t thought about using art pastels in years. I used to make posters with them in my first few years of teaching.
MK says
I love you sign–great job! I have the Americana Dark Wax but haven’t tried it yet. So far I’ve painted a TV stand, two Night Stands, and a side table with Americana Chalky paints. On a few, I just sprayed on satin Poly. But on the side table I used the Americana varnish on the top (where things will sit), and then I sprayed poly on the legs–both out of laziness and to stretch my varnish so I have plenty for other projects.
I love the Americana Chalky paint and accompanying products. So, SO glad for a company to produce this kind of paint/wax/varnish at an affordable price!!!!!
martina says
That looks awesome Christy!!