Tuesday, May 1, 2012

When Inspiration Hits!

It's hard to know just what will inspire me! We've been to TGIF'S hundreds of times (we like TGIF'S Ok!) and I've seen this sign, and ones like it, hundreds of times, but this time it hit me. I want that sign for the shelf that's going over the kitchen window (yes, I decorate things before they exist, doesn't everyone?)!
So, after much thinking on exactly how to DIY a vintage lighted metal sign I came up with this:

Whatcha think? OK so it's not vintage (but it's vintage-y!) and it's not metal (but it looks like metal!)! Want to know how I did it?

This is what I started with. Cardboard cutouts. I got mine from JoAnn Fabrics, but I've seen them lots of places. You will also need a good sharp utility knife. The first thing you want to do is carefully cut the top off of each letter using the knife. Slide the blade down between the top and side and go all the way around each letter. Be careful not the slice the sides. Take out anything that might be inside the letter- mine had some folded cardboard to re-enforce it.
This is what the letters should look like when you're done- no top and hollow!

Now that you have them all cut out, sand the edges so they are all nice and smooth, use scissors to snip off any large chunks that the knife may have left. Keep your knife and sanding block handy, you will need them again later!
Now we are going to paint. I'm not going to show you every step of painting, I'll just show you the important paint and tell you the rest! First I spray painted them all black (inside and out), then I sprayed them Krylon Chrome (inside and out) I've used lots of different "metal" spray paints and I feel this one has the most shine. Now the tricky part- flip your letters over so you don't get any paint on the INSIDE of the letters. Spray ONLY the OUTSIDE of the letters in whatever color you want- I chose Rustoleums Leafy Green.
Green paint on the outside, silver on the inside!
Get your sanding block out again and gently sand off some of the green so that some of the silver shows. Now, it looks old and vintage-y!
These are the lights I used. Got them at Target in the patio/outdoor lighting section- they were $9.99 awesome!
Flip your letters over and mark off where you want each light bulb to be. I drew lines down the center and then layed the strand of lights on the letter and eyeballed where I wanted them, then marked the spot with a marker.
You need your utility knife again for this next step. Make an X over the mark (ignore the double marks on mine, I decided I didn't like the orginal placement) Be sure this is where you want your light bulb before you cut, once you've cut there's no going back!
Unscrew the lightbulbs from the sockets and GENTLY push  through the holes. Taking care not to rip the cardboard. Use the knife to make the slits bigger if you need to. This is what the back will look like when you are finished. It's a mess, but no one will see the back and you can take the wires down so they don't stick out too much!
Screw your lightbulbs back in and plug it in! Now you have a cool vintage-y lighted "metal" marquee sign!

Linking to:

Savvy Southern Style                  The Well Crafted Home                  
Not JUST a Housewife                Doodles & Stitches
Shabby Chic Cottage
36th Avenue
House of Hepworths
Crafty, Scrappy, Happy
Primp
Chic on a Shoestring
Simple Home. Life
Lolly Jane
Freckled Laundry
Whipperberry
Be Different Act Normal
Funky Junk
Classy Clutter
Under the Table and Dreaming
DIY Showoff
AKA Design
Uncommon

30 comments:

  1. Seriously...super cute!! my son would love something like this in his room!!! You are super clever! :)

    Bonnie @ uncommon

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  2. So CREATIVE!! I really love this idea and concept! I am so inspired to do something like this for my son's room!
    Visiting from Link party:))

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  3. Very, very, very, cute!!! Thanks for all the great instructions. I would love to make one of these soon. I saw your post over at Funky Junk Interiors.

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  4. So cool! I have been wanting to do something like this but covered in nickels or pennies.

    Sarah
    Cable Car Couture

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  5. That is awesome and such a creative and inexpensive solution! Great job!

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  6. That is soo cool!! And such a great idea! Gina from Shabby Creek Cottage shared this on FB.

    Have a great day! =)

    ~ Catie

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  7. This is so cute and creative! I would love for you to link this up at Well Crafted Wednesdays! You can find it here:

    http://thewellcraftedhome.blogspot.com/2012/05/well-crafted-wednesdays-link-party-3.html

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  8. LOVE! I have been trying to figure out how to do this exact project for my daughters new room!!!

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  9. So cute I can't take it!! That would have caught my eye too at TGIF's. I might try it! So little time...so many things to try. I have clear lights I never use like those...hmmm...you really have inspired me. I'm posting this on my FB page! :)

    ~ Julie
    redheadcandecorate.com

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  10. this is amazing i love it what a fab idea xxxx

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  11. This is fantastic, I love it. Great way to get that lighted retro sign look without having to find a lighted retro sign!

    ~Bliss~

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  12. this is adorable! I have been looking for something as a "main" piece in my bedroom and I love stuff that gives off soft lighting.. this is perfect! Now find that right word...thanks for the inspiration.. :)

    Carrie

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  13. Are you kidding me?? This is FANTASTIC! This idea was pure genius!!

    Heidi@HomemadeBeautiesByHeidi

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  14. This is the coolest idea EVER! I cannot wait to do this. I found your link on House of Hepworth's link party. I would love for you to post this on my link party at... http://www.doodlesandstitches.com/2012/05/link-party-time.html
    Thanks for sharing!

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    Replies
    1. Super cool! Thanks for linking up at my party :)

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  15. I am CRAZY about these!! So very clever how you made them! Excited to follow!

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  16. I saw this at Uncommon Designs, and I have to say I'm mightily impressed. I bow down to your awesome craftiness. Such a creative idea. Can't wait to see what you do next.

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  17. Congratulations! You are being featured tomorrow on http://www.doodlesandstitches.com/. You're welcome to grab a "featured button" and add it to your blog! Thank you for posting this awesome lettering. I love it.

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  18. Came over from Knock Off Decor. Your sign is amazing! Wish I had that talent!

    - Angela Marie @ http://sunkissedivory.blogspot.com

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  19. These are precious, but I have 2 questions:
    1. How did you hang these?
    2. Is it safe to have a lightbulb touching cardboard for an extended amount of time?
    I absolutely love these, but wanted to double check!

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  20. These are great!! Found you on Knock Off Decor.

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  21. Saw this on Knock Off Decor and had to come over! I love it!!! :)

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  22. thank You. Your directions were written well. I am inspired.

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  23. Amber
    1. I dont hang mine- they sit on a shelf above my kitchen window
    2. I left mine on for a long time- the light bulbs I used did not get hot to the touch.

    Hope this helps!

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