A West Elm inspired Merry Christmas sign:
I borrowed the idea straight from the West Elm Holiday 2011 catalog:
Every page has beautiful lettering done in chalk and the combination of fonts and layout are amazing.
A kind reader informed me the artist behind the chalk drawings is Dana Tanamachi.
She has a beautiful website full of more inspiration and even a video clip of her at work, definitely worth a visit.
Here’s how I made the sign:
1. Paint 3/4″ plywood board 2 coats Behr Tile Red.
Print out lettering to fit.
(MERRY font is: Copperplate Light 250 pt)
(CHRISTMAS font is: Edwardian Script ITC 600 pt)
2. Trace the lettering with a ballpoint pen to leave an indent in the wood.
Paint in and on the indent:
3. Sand with 220 grit to distress:
4. Seal with satin poly.
Add wood frame using 7/8″ lattice wood, stained with Minwax Ipswich Pine:
Detail of lettering:
My friend Cara actually bought the sign this weekend.
Hope she found a good spot in her home for this fun sign.
I’m linking up to:
Whatcha Got Weekend @ Lolly Jane
SAS @ Funky Junk
Weekend Wrap Up @ Tatertots & Jello
Sundae Scoop @ I Heart Naptime
Sister Sunday @ Sisters of the Wild West
Sunday Showcase Party @ Under the Table & Dreaming
Just Something I Whipped Up @ The Girl Creative
DIY Fall Festival @ The DIY Showoff
Made by You Mondays @ Skip to My Lou
Making the World Cuter @ Making the World Cuter
Nifty Thrifty @ Coastal Charm
Tuesday Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Tutorials & Tips Tuesday @ Home Stories A to Z
Good Life @ A Beach Cottage
Delightfully Inspiring @ Delightful Order
Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Creek Cottage
Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple
Share Awesomeness Thur @ The 36th Avenue
Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring
Tickled Pink @ 504 Main
Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest
SAS @ Just a Girl
Feathered Nest @ French Country Cottage
Remodelaholics Anonymous @ Remodelaholic
The detail on this one is perfect! You did a fantastic job.
Once again, your sign is beautiful! You are one amazing painter, girl!
It is wonderful! Great job!
Oh wow! That lettering is amazing! I'm so impressed! And I love the sign!! Might have to make one after the holidays for next year (playing Santa's elf for the rest of the month). Lol
Aloha,
Charlie
Love the festive red and white!
I noticed the lettering in the holiday catalog as well, nice rendering.
What a beautiful sign! Thanks for the tip about tracing the letters with a ballpoint pen. Should make things so much easier!
You always amaze me! Maybe I will be inspired to paint a sign soon! Love your work!
Debbie
This is amazing! I love it. Did you use a paint pen or a brush? Thanks for the inspiration… I would love to try this, but it might have to wait till next year. 🙂
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This is absolutely beautiful! I really need to find a place to hang a sign like that in my house just so I can make one! Thanks for your post!
Your sign is beautiful! The artist is Dana Tanamachi: http://www.danatanamachi.com/chalk/
Found you through knock off decor. Your sign is beautiful! Love the lettering as well.
Wow…this is so awesome….
Thanks for sharing your ball point pen method!
Cathy. Creatingmyownbliss .com
Can I ask what font you used for the word "Christmas"? I have been trying to do something similar with a nice easy to read but still "fancy" font and I haven't found one yet!