Wednesday, June 30, 2010

An America sign

I grew up on the other side of the country from where I currently live, and have managed to keep in touch with my best childhood friend, Katie.  She just came out to visit her sister last week and stopped by my place for a night and the next day.  We had SO MUCH FUN catching up in person, eating snow cones, cooking blueberry pancakes, and getting our craft on.

Here's what we started that morning, that I just finished up today at lunch (and just in time for the 4th!):

It's constructed of a 3/4" x 12" x 24" particle board, with particle board 1x1s stacked on top of it as the frame.

I love the totally distressed look for this piece.  I hadn't planned on it at all, but Katie suggested doing a crackle coat on the base, and I was in love with it!

We purposely roughed up the layers of paint as we went so it didn't look too nicey nice, which added even more to the over all rough and rustic look.



After the paint dried and I sanded the entire surface of the A (including right over the top of that vinyl star), I rubbed some stain over the whole thing with a sock, then went over it immediately with another sock I had dipped in water.  I love how it turned out!



Then I sanded across the tops and edges of the blue frame



And cut a saying I love out of brown vinyl on my Cricut (I used a program called Sure Cuts A Lot 2, which allows you to cut any font on your computer.  I bought the program shortly after I bought my Cricut, and haven't bought ANY cartridges other than the ones that came with the machine. I love it!)  
The font I chose is Aquiline from Dafont.com.



Isn't it beautiful? 





18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Indeed it is beautiful!!! Love the saying!! Quite the treasure you've created that I'm sure is to be enjoyed for many years! I so need a Cricut!!

Amanda @ Healthy House on the Block said...

Oh my gosh! I LOVE this! You did an absolutely beautiful job! It's just perfect

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

Yes it is beautiful...great job and happy 4th!!!

Sarah said...

Dorese, it is beautiful! You are very talented!
Thanks for sharing this project.
~Happy 4th of July! ~

Kara said...

I love it!! I love all things distressed, and this turned out perfectly. Perfect saying too! Thanks for sharing!

the thrifty ba said...

LOVE THIS! happy 4th to you!

Kara @ Mine for the Making said...

love this! its gorgeous!

Sugarplum Creations Blog said...

Oh that is gorgeous! I NEED a Cricut!!

Terry said...

What a great project and even better that it was made with a friend. Love your style and you're definitely very creative! Have a great 4th weekend!

I {heart} Nap Time said...

I LOVE this! It turned out so cute! I'd love for you to link it up @ iheartnaptime.blogspot.com

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

it's gorgeous! I love what it says!
great job.
gail

Joy@Thrifty Parsonage Living said...

Great job on the sign! It will be great to hang up for the 4th. Have a great weekend.

Diane said...

Sounds like you and Katie had a great time. Lovvvve the sign Ü

Its So Very Cheri said...

I love this. It is adorable.

My lasat kitchen was done in patriotic decor.

Cheri from Its So Very Cheri.com

superpaige said...

I love it! Just another reason why I want to get myself a cricut.

Alison @ Oopsey Daisy said...

This is so fabulous!!! I need to make one of these next year for sure. Thanks for sharing!

~Alison
http://oopsey-daisy.blogspot.com/

Debi said...

Love this! I have americana decor in my house so I'd really like to make this! Where did you find the great wooden "A"?

Debi said...

Love this! I have americana decor in my house so I'd really like to make this! Where did you find the great wooden "A"?