Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Making Antique Signs

by Lois Breneman

A few years ago I painted a few signs, trying to make them look like that had been around a very long time.  My sister-in-law, Linda Walker, gave me some tips.  First I found an old piece of wood in my husband's wood shop, with his permission, of course.  He sanded it for me and I painted the front and sides with black acrylic paint. 

After letting it dry well, I painted it burgundy.  Next I used rough sandpaper to make it look antique, by allowing the black paint or even the raw wood to show through in places, especially along the edges.  After this step, if you'd like, splattering with paint would be fine too, if you'd like that appearance.  


After the wooden sign looked as I wanted it to appear, I painted a saying on the board, using white acrylic paint.  It's a good idea to first print out the words on paper the size of your sign, to be sure everything will fit and be centered.  A scripture verse or part of one would be very fitting, such as, "Above all else, guard your heart."  For another sign, I painted the words, "Our Country Home" for our son and his wife who live in the country, next to cattle fields.  It's a fun project to try, because you don't need to make it appear new, but antique.

My niece, Kelly Fritz, Linda's daughter, even painted an amazing antiqued monopoly board as well as other game boards, which she has hanging in her adorable country home.  She and Linda have made antiqued checkerboards, which I think would be so much fun to do, and they would be more simple than most game boards.  You can purchase a stencil for a checkerboard at a craft store, would simplify the process. 

Then using the antiquing method as described above or a similar one, you will have an antiqued checkerboard to use or hang in your home, or give as a gift.  Some oil stain rubbed into the finished product can enhance the antiquing appearance even more.  Why not give this a try sometime, using a small piece of scrap lumber?  You might be pleasantly surprised at how well it turns out!





INTERESTING SIGNS
Author unknown

On a Plumber's truck: "We repair what your husband fixed."

On a Church's Bill board: "7 days without God makes one weak."

At a Tire Shop in Milwaukee: "Invite us to your next blowout."

In a Nonsmoking Area: "If we see smoke, we will assume you are on fire and take appropriate action."

On a Maternity Room door: "Push. Push. Push."

At an Optometrist's Office: "If you don't see what you're looking for, you've come to the right place."

At a Car Dealership: "The best way to get back on your feet -- miss a car payment."

Outside a Muffler Shop: "No appointment necessary. We hear you coming."

In a Veterinarian's waiting room: "Be back in 5 minutes. Sit! Stay!"

At the Electric Company: "We would be delighted if you send in your payment.  However, if you don't, you will be."

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