This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Plaid. All opinions are my own.
Decorating for my kids is kinda kicking my butt these days. It’s a lot harder for me to decorate for someone else rather than going with my style. However, I’ve been enjoying the process since it’s forcing me to open my eyes a little wider and stretch my decorating skills. My 8 year old wants a Halo bedroom…. uh, no. My almost 3 year old just wants whatever his brother wants. So since halo is kind of industrial we are going with an industrial theme and that way my oldest can add some of his Halo figurines and posters into the mix so that when he changes his mind we can just switch out a few things and be ready to go for his next obsession. Luckily my 2 year old just smiles at everything and says it looks good. He knows how to make his mama happy! : )
This DIY Wooden Sign is the first finished project for the boys room. As my youngest gets a little older and is able to keep up with the older kids he is really starting to bond with my oldest. It’s so cute to watch and I just wish they could stay sweet and innocent forever! It will be weird in 5 years when I have an almost 8 year old and a teenager. Yikes. Let’s just pause right here and look at cute signs that say things like “brothers” mmmmkay?
To make this sign I got to play with a few new products from Plaid, it’s called FolkArt Ultra Dye. As someone who is constantly using wood this is seriously the coolest stuff ever. It’s so hard to figure out exactly what I want to do in the kids’ rooms because I haven’t finished their furniture yet, but I will be using more of this Ultra Dye, that I do know!
FolkArt Ultra Dye is a polymer-based dye and will not bleed, leech or rub off like traditional dyes on porous surfaces, making it very easy to use with stencils. Since the dye allows the wood grain to show through and actually soaks into the surface, it will not chip or peel. So basically this stuff can withstand kids! Another fun fact: you can mix the colors together and create super awesome ombre effects. Here are some frames we made at the Plaid Creators Summit back in April. You guys are going to love dying some wood!
So let’s make a DIY Wooden Sign now that I have shared all about this fun new product!
Supplies:
(Some of the links provided below are affiliate links that help support this blog without any additional cost to you!)
- Blue Bayou FolkArt Ultra Dye
- 3/4″ Plywood or Craft wood
- FolkArt Ultra Dye Satin Varnish
- FolkArt Ultra Dye Brushes
- 1×2’s for Framing the Sign
- Wood Glue
- Nail Gun
- Sander
- FolkArt Alphabet Stencils
- FolkArt Home Decor Chalk Paint
- FolkArt Home Decor Chalk Paint Brushes
DIY Wooden Sign Tutorial
To start making your sign, you will first need to either cut some plywood to your desired size. If you want to frame out your sign you will need 3/4″ plywood.
Make sure your plywood has been sanded and then prepare to use the FolkArt Ultra Dye.
The FolkArt Ultra Dye Brushes are made with soft, black taklon® bristles for a smooth application and are designed to work specifically with the Ultra Dye. Using your brush, apply the Ultra Dye to your plywood brushing with the grain of the wood.
I sanded mine just a little bit after I applied the dye because I wanted it to look distressed. Once dry it’s time to stencil the letters on. I used the FolkArt Home Decor Chalk Paint, but you could really use any of the Plaid paints if you already have some on hand.
Once the paint dried I applied the FolkArt Ultra Dye Sating Varnish which is a waterbased, non-toxic, and a super-tough polyurethane brush-on varnish. Once dry the varnish provides a beautiful satin finish that will protect the Ultra Dye and seal the surface.
After the sign was completed I framed it out with 1×2’s (that I previously stained – choose from varying FolkArt Wood Tint Colors ) using wood glue and my brad nailer.
Now I just need to figure out where exactly I’ll be hanging it in their room.
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I can’t wait to try this product! Thanks for the introduction.
I literally laughed out loud when I read that your 8 year old wanted a Halo bedroom. My 7 year old has a mish-mash of Halo and Lego theme going on in his bedroom. He is obsessed too! We must have atleast 2,000 pieces of building blocks in his room. He likes to keep the kits together and not take them apart, which this mother is very thankful for because I don’t have to worry about crying in agony if I were to step on a Lego piece. ;)
I did not even know that Plaid made a dye like this. You have just given me a TON of ideas for both his room and my newborn’s room. Also, where would I be without my brad nailer! It is seriously the best tool ever.
Do you have any posts about how you organize all their toys? Needing some inspiration in that area.
Very cute. I have 2 boys so this is a must-have for my house. I’ll definitely put this on my decor to-do list. So cute, thanks for sharing!