Sunday, September 12, 2010

{ My Take on a Ballard Wall Sign }




I was so excited to open my Ballard Design catalogue { I heard the name on several blogs I visited } and wanted to know what this Ballard talk was all about.
250.00 {Ballard Price}

Needless to say I LOVED so MANY things but when my eyes laid on
this...see above sign.....my heart skipped a beat.  I knew I didn't have the budget for it ~ so I laid it aside ~ for awhile.
Time for the Fall Nesting Party came around, and as I was envisioning what my Fall Front Porch would look like....the Ballard sign came sneaking back into my mind.
It would look "befitting"

I just recreated it "or winged it" so please be kind : )

My husband...sorry I have no cute nickname...I do have a name but it isn't cute...:) cut the board and molding for me...I havne't "YET" learned that part.

We drew the sign onto a 1/2" mdf board and CUT that baby out!!  He cut it to fit above our door { about 5' long 18" tall }

I primed it first with the grey Behr Ultra

Then I went about the process of using the tea chest {more about that color HERE} by brushing it on and wiping it off.  I did that color first over the entire board.  Some grey from the primer showed through which is what I wanted.
I repeated this with the Folkart pure black paint...brushing on and wiping off until I got the desired look I wanted.

He attached the brick molding to the top and I painted it with the Tea Chest { brushing on/wiping off } then on the molding I brushed some Folkart paint in Skyline over it and wiped it off.

NOW for the Letters ~

The easiest FOR ME was something that would stick.  At Joann's, Post-Its has repositionable paper that is Cricut approved - so I bought some. 

My Cricut is new and I only had 2 cartridges so I didn't have many fonts to choose from.

I cut out the letters I wanted and centered them on the board and STUCK them ON!  It was that easy ~ even for a newbie!  I put the letters where I wanted them first ~ finding my center and THEN peeled the back off. 

Next came some light sanding on the edges and over the whole piece. 


$7 {My Sign}

Just a note:  The letters didn't really " sand " well.  I wanted them to look more " aged" but not really a big deal.  I really think the paper was easy to work with though and I will definitely use it again.
All that was left was a couple of coats of Spray Acrylic and it was ready to go.

IF YOU HAVE STUCCO like us ~ we found that the 3M command strips for pictures work really well for this kind of thing.  We used 4 and it is still hanging 

I really do like the finished product.  I figured when I tire of it outside I can use it inside somewhere.  
I am now working on some different signs just for women.  I will post one soon.
In the future I will work on my tutorial skills...more step by step pics: )

Linking up with...

Between Naps on the Porch

Always Building~
Tiffini 

19 comments:

Star Talks said...

great job. love it!

Anonymous said...

Tiffini! You brought back life to that sign, it is beautiful !!!! WOW, I would love to try to make one. Thanks so much for sharing all you do which is always great!

Missi
m_hodgkiss@yahoo.com

Cheri said...

I love it! I'm inspired to create something similar for our home. Thanks!

Melissa said...

It looks fantastic! I love it. And what a great job! And Seven Bucks!?!? wow!

Sue@Uniquely Chic said...

I like yours better than Ballards but oh how I love the stuff in that catalog.

Jen said...

What a great job!
I loved that sign the first time I saw it!
Visiting from BNOTP

Ann said...

I'm so amazed at such a close replica!! The two of you did a fantastic job!
Thanks for sharing it and the all the great tips.
Fondly,
Ann
@
The Tattered Tassel

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Wow, I have loved this sign since I first saw it in the Ballard catalog. Your sign turned out wonderful! Congrats on a great job.

Vanessa said...

Hi! I absolutely love how you recreated that sign! I love Ballards but I don't like their prices so this is a great way of showing how you can get the look for less AND make it your own!
I love your blog and I'm heading over to become a follower right now! :-)
Vanessa
http://southerninmyheart.blogspot.com

Jules said...

There are so many useful tips here! We have alot of stucco, so great to know those command things really do work! Great job! Jules

Jules said...

Clever girl!

michelle said...

That turned out great!! I love Ballard Designs but they can be pricey. Your sign is perfect!!

Becca Bertotti said...

I LOVE your sign! I've spotted that in Ballard myself, but just couldn't (and can't) bring myself to pay $250 for it! Your "take" on it is beautiful! Take care, Becca@Adventures in Decorating

Heaven's Walk said...

Hi Tiffini! Happy Met Monday! Well, your sign is certainly Ballard-approved! What a beautiful job you did on it, and your paint job is just wonderful! :)

xoxo laurie@heavens-walk

Pamela said...

I love that sign as well and have been trying to figure out how to recreate it! You did a fabulous job and great tip on the stucco thing!

Frances said...

Hi Tiffini, I have been admiring this sign in the Ballard catalog for going on 2 years now, but was not willing to pay their price. Yours is wonderful-what amazing creativity!

Vintagesouthernlife said...

It turned out great.I have got to get a Cricut. Thanks for sharing, Annette

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

I love it!! I too, love that sign in Ballards catalog! This is a great reproduction of it! You did a great job!! Coming over from Met. Monday ~ nice to meet you! :)

How Sweet It Is-A lifestyle blog said...

Hmmmm you say Joann's has repositionable Cricut Approved vinyl! I'm on my way there!

Great job!

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your encouragement-stories and prayers mean much...always feel free to email me @ tiffkilgore@live.com

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