DIY Handmade Wood Sign Tutorial / Cricut Coupon Code
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DIY Handmade Wood Sign
Tutorial / Cricut Coupon Code
Have you ever wondered how artisans make all those great handmade signs that are so popular? We thought it would be fun to give you a tutorial to show you what goes into making one of these signs. At the end of this post you can find the Coupon Code for an additional discount AND Free Shipping on all purchases from Cricut.
At Christmas, I received a Cricut Explore One. I had a smaller 6" inch version from many years ago, but my new Cricut far exceeds anything the other one can do.
The Cricut Explore One can cut:
•Vinyl
•Paper
•Iron-ons
•Cardstock
•Fabric
•Poster Board
•Even Custom Materials
One of the more fun features of the Cricut Explore One, is that I can hook it up directly to my computer/laptop. By using Cricut Access on their website, I can have access to creating/uploading almost any kind of image. Not only will it cut those images/text, it can also draw them. The possibilities are so many.
•Signs
•Cards
•Garland
•Gift Tags
•Gift Boxes
•Paper Dolls
•Iron-ons for Shirts, Bags, Pillows, etc...
•And on and on....
For our purposes today, I'm going to show you how to use the Cricut Explore One to make a Handmade Wood Sign. I first painted a piece of wood a solid color. This will end up being the color of your text.
I went to the Cricut Access page and created the wording I wanted for my sign. (We'll do additional tutorials at a later time to show you other ways to use this page to upload images, shapes and more.) Cricut has some Free Fonts and also some that you must pay to use. However, it will let you access any fonts that are already in your computer.
I then attached my vinyl to the cutting mat.
When you buy your machine, it comes with a 12"x12" cutting mat. I purchased a 12"x24" mat for larger projects. (I'm using "Oracle 631" Vinyl. I did buy this off another website. Honestly, it's one of the best I've used.) Load the vinyl in your machine and then press "Go" on your online screen. Make sure your dial is turned to "Vinyl".
Once your vinyl is cut, you'll unload the sheet from the machine and "weed" the vinyl off the paper. You're going to take off the surrounding vinyl, leaving the actual wording on the sheet. You can do this with a Weeding Tool, a toothpick, tweezers or a small knife.
Next you'll need some type of Transfer Tape. I really like the Cricut brand Transfer Tape. It's thick and can be re-used many times, unlike other brands.
Take a sheet of the Transfer Tape and press it on to your wording. You can use a scraper, edge of a credit card or even your fingers to make sure it is sealed to the Transfer Tape.
Once done, you'll take the edge of the Transfer Tape and peel the wording off of the backing sheet.
Take the Transfer Tape with the attached text and place it on your painted piece of wood. Measure to make sure it's centered. (Aesthetically, you'll want a little more space at the bottom of the sign. It's easier on the eye.) Press it down with a scraper.
Peel off the transfer tape, leaving your text on the wood, and press the edges down with your fingers.
Next comes the fun part - painting. I use a contrasting color to the base (white/gray or white/black). For this project I used Amy Howard One Step chalk-like paint in "Bauhaus Buff". Be generous. make sure all the edges are completely painted, then go over the entire piece with long sweeping strokes to even out the paint.
Let it completely dry and then use a Weeding Tool, tweezers, toothpick, etc... to take of the lettering.
This is a different sign, but you can see what it starts to look like when taking away the vinyl.
If you have any areas that bleed, you can touch them up with a small brush and paint.
For the finished piece you can leave it as is, distress it slightly with sand paper or even trim out the sign in reclaimed wood.
What projects would you use with a Cricut Explore One? Now, until May 3, 2016, Cricut is offering 10% off their site and FREE Shipping on all purchases with the Coupon Code CRICUTSPRING. (There aren't often deals for the machines in stores, so this is a great time to take advantage of this offer.) Maybe you could leave a "hint" for your husband. Come on ladies, they so want to get you something that you want. Help the guys out!
By the way, you can view more of our handmade or hand painted signs on our Etsy page.
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Have a blessed day!
