DIY CHRISTMAS SIGN

• Unfinished wood panel (smooth surface is best)
• Dark wood stain
• Vinyl letter stickers
• Star stencil (cut from cardstock)
• Off-white acrylic paint
• Paintbrush
• Cloth rag

Either purchase or build a wood panel (I used 1” x 4” scrap wood boards and cut them into 24”-long pieces. I assembled the panel by gluing two vertical boards to the back). Stain the panel and allow it to dry completely. Arrange the letter stickers on the panel (vinyl letters are best — they can be purchased in the mailbox hardware aisle at most large shopping centers). Use a plastic card to firmly rub the surface of the letters, so the paint doesn’t run underneath (it’s OK if a little bit does). Apply a thin coat of acrylic paint over the entire surface. Take a damp cloth rag and rub away any excess paint. Also wipe some of the paint away in the area where the star will go and near the edges to reveal some of the stain underneath. Allow the piece to dry and carefully peel away the stickers. Position the star stencil on the panel and use a cloth rag to blot acrylic paint within the stencil area. Lightly sand the edges of the piece to give it a more rustic look. If desired, add picture-frame hardware to the backside of the piece so it can be hung on a wall.