After finishing the pantry, I wanted a sign so visitors would know it was no longer a coat closet.

I went looking for supplies online. I tried Amazon first. Amazon is always my go to place for most anything. They have a handmade section that is very enticing. I found some rusty letters that I liked. I have Amazon Prime and can usually find what I want with free 2 day shipping. I bookmarked them and then went to Etsy. I found exactly what I wanted there at a cheaper price. Occasionally vendors on Etsy are willing to work with you on shipping. That is especially true if they state that they will combine items for cheaper shipping. I notified the vendor what I wanted and she was willing to work with me. Purchased my letters and 2 other rusty items for a reasonable price and shipping.

Next I needed to prepare my board. I used a 1 x 6 pine board left over from the pantry. I stained it minwax slate like the pantry walls then whitewashed it. When I whitewash an item, I paint it on with a brush then wipe it off with a cloth. This allows the grain to show through. You can extend the amount of paint you have by adding a small amount of bottled water to your paint cup. I always pour a small amount of paint into a cup or whatever you want to use as a paint holder. Then I add the water. Don’t use tap water. It will make your paint curdle. Or ruin is a good word.

I even used a piece I had deemed unusable when we were making the pantry. It had holes in it and very rough edges.

Applied my stain.

Whitewashed it.

Laid out my letters and then decided to whitewash them also.

Hot glued my letters to the board. I added a tractor and butterfly to the sign for interest. My daughter asked me why the butterfly. The tractor could represent harvest and therefore food in the pantry. She couldn’t understand the butterfly. I replied that I just liked it. I outlined the letters with the slate stain to make them stand out.

I think it looks great! It is temporarily hung from a nail. My husband, Daniel, wants to install sliding barn type doors in the future. That would look amazing!!!