Hello friends! I have been wanting to tackle this project for a long time and I’m happy to report that it worked so I’m going to share how to make one of your own in under $10 since you most likely have many of these items around the house. And you don’t have to paint the letters or have a fancy craft cutting machine because we’re using an engineer print that I’m going to give you the free download for!
Materials needed:
* 2 – 1 X 2 X 8 wood boards (furring strips) I got mine for $1.05 at Home Depot – you may want to pick up an extra in case of mistakes. Take time to choose good boards but remember some imperfections are okay, this is more of a rustic frame.
* 2 or 3 foam core boards – I get mine for $1 each at the Dollar Tree
* engineering print picked up at Staples or wherever you like to have them printed (see below) The 24X36 at my store is $3.59
* your choice of stain – I had some leftover from a project and used a mixture of Minwax Provinicial and Minwax Classic Gray
* hot glue
* double stick tape
* finishing nails – I used 1.5 inch in my nail gun. If you don’t have a nail gun, you could use wood screws, just be sure to make pilot holes first so you don’t split the wood.
Here we go:
1. Order your engineering print at Staples or another print shop. The foam boards are 20 X 30 so get the 24 X36 size and we will cut it down. Here is the download for the It’s a Wonderful Life sign and I also included a download for a Joy to the World horizontal option --- Joy to the World vertical --- O Come Let Us Adore Him vertical because I realize everyone in the world may not be as infatuated with that movie like my family is. Just upload the image to Staples and then choose the 24X36 in black and white in the horizontal orientation and pick it up in the store.
2. Hot glue the foam boards together. I used two, you could add another if you want your sign to be thicker.
3. Place your print on top of the foam boards and make creases where you want to cut.
4. Cut the print and then attach it to the foam boards with double stick tape.
5. Line up your boards along the foam core and mark where you want to cut. If you don’t have a power saw, you could pre-measure and have them cut at the store. Mine were 20 1/8” for the shorter sides and 31 3/8” for the top and bottom pieces. Double check to be sure they all line up.
6. Stain the boards. I use a disposable foam brush and made a custom mixture of Minwax provincial and Minwax classic gray until it looked right. I brush it on and then wipe off with a paper towel. Let dry completely, usually outside or in the garage so you don’t have to smell it.
7. Then, nail the boards together with your nail gun, or you could use wood screws – just make sure you make pilot holes first so you don’t split the wood. The boards just kind of hold the foam core and print in.
And there you go!! Be so proud that you saved some major money! Prop it up on a mantel or shelf or add a hanger on the back if you will be displaying it on the wall.
Here is one to pin for later:
Thanks for stopping by, feel free to leave any questions in the comments below! Oh, and yes! A few of you noticed that the pine garland – it is indeed from Chip & Joanna’s Hearth & Hand line at Target. ♥
Here are the DEALS! These are the prices when I hit publish, they can change or run out at anytime. Lowest price means it is the lowest price within a year, within $1.
* Glenis tufted chair is only at Macy’s $197!
* lowest price: Wonder Woman Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Combo Pack $15
* These women’s crocs are 50% off today, only $12.50, shipping is free on $25 or $4.99
(from top clockwise around)
* lowest price so far this year: Instax Mini with rainbow film $54.99
* Tramontina 5.5 qt Enameled Dutch Oven $29.92 or the 6.5 qt for $39.98 – this is the one I have and I LOVE it. One of my favorite recipes for it is here
* I get a lot of questions about sales on artificial Christmas trees – they are so expensive! So far, the best prices I’ve seen for the quality is at Sam’s Club. 12 foot is $369 and a 9 foot with clear or colored lights is $269.
* Igloo 1.6 cu ft refrigerator $45
* Girls Cotton Bikinis 10 pack underwear only $5 at Walmart
* lowest price: Prepworks 6 piece prokeeper set
* Best Buy has 50% off Duracell batteries – I rarely see sales on C and D batteries
* Target has 30% off rugs today!
* Home Depot has a special buy on pressure washers and deck boxes today only
* Bluetooth Wireless Digital Body Fat Scale with free app $22.99
* lowest price: Calico Critters Starter home $24.99 plus there is a buy one, get 40% off Calico Critters promo going on – oh my goodness, these hedgehogs?? ♥ Or the van!
* Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Kit $18.04
* 87 piece magnetic blocks is $44.99 when you use code AZTMEPZP at checkout
* lowest price: Cottonelle 24 mega rolls only $18.61 when you clip the coupon
Stocking Stuffers ideas:
* Cambelbak Podium Chill Insulated Water Bottle $5.73 (in sprint green color)
* Family Size Peanut M&M’s with natural colors $4.70 when you clip the coupon
* Ecotools Travel Detangler Brush only $3.10 when you clip the coupon
I dropped off our stray kitty we have adopted to be spayed and get her shots and didn’t want to go all the way home and back again so I took advantage of the time and hit some stores nearby. Christmas is out in full force! I just wanted to share some things that caught my eye before they are out of stock in the stores just in case you are on the lookout.
At Sam’s Club:
These gooseneck outdoor dawn to dusk lanterns for only $24.98? I couldn’t find them online. If you zoom in you can see the numbers you will probably need if you call the store.
These little Thanksgiving and Christmas outfits made me want little girls again!
I think these red trucks are already out of stock, they were flying off the shelves.
These are great mug sets for only $9.91 at my store – I got them for my new mug rack in the kitchen
And I need to tell you the BEST thing that Sam’s Club has – their scan & go app! You just download it, scan your items as you put them in your cart, push pay and then head to the door and they just scan the barcode there and you are done. No lines!! And then your receipts are right in the app, I LOVE it. I wish every store had it…Costco are you listening?? Here it is on Itunes and Google Play. Just had to let you know about that one if you haven’t heard about it.
Okay let’s go to Hobby Lobby now!
I loved these wood signs, I couldn’t find them online:
These garlands! Here is the red and white online and here is the multicolored
They also had a good selection of buffalo check and the french blue stripe:
Okay, over to JoAnn Fabrics! I loved this snowflake pillow – it was $17.99 on sale but I can’t find it online but it was next to this one.
Loved these geometric tealight holders, they were $8.99 and $11.99 on sale, don’t see them online.
And these pillow & blanket sets were $35.99, I love this pattern!
They also had the buffalo plaid
And then across the street to Michael’s – I loved their choices this year!!
Comfort and Joy sign $17.99 – it looks like most of these are only in store…
This 12.25 one was $11.99
Except this one *is* online for $11.99!
The plaid travel kits were $7.99 and the pencil cases were $2.99
Such cute garlands this year – I loved the pom poms!! Most were $11.99 on sale
Tree skirts were $23.99
Bell garland was only $8.99
These tins wrapped with birch sheets were $7.99
Adorable striped pillow $20.99 and is available online!!
Tree skirts were $23.99
Thanks for coming shopping with me!! Now you don’t have to go to the store, except maybe you did see something you love and are grabbing the kids and your wallet (don’t forget your phone!) and heading out the door as we speak. Or perhaps you are saying, I’m good! and I saved you a trip. Either way, I hope it helped.
* 62 Utterly Adorable Handmade Costumes for Kids at Country Living:
* the most popular candy in every state at Delish
* right after posting about Zions, did you hear there may be a price hike – $70 entrance fee to get into the most popular national parks?
and of course, DEALS! These are the prices when I hit publish, they can change or run out at anytime. Lowest price means it is the lowest price within a year, within $1.
* crazy good deal: 4 pack Camrose industrial chairs in white for only $63.74 shipped!
* lowest price: Toy Dyson with real suction $20.99
* lowest price: Cuties 12 pack baby wipes $11.09 when you clip the coupon and choose subscribe & save.
* white wooden rocking chair $48.12 at Walmart
* Our Generation Deluxe doll sets are on sale + 20% off, so only $23!
* Wilton Gingerbread Houses $5.13 at Walmart
* Spanx event at Zulily -- up to 60% off!
* Men’s Nike Casual Sneakers at Macys $39.99
* 6 piece aromatherapy bath bombs only $9.99 when you use code EYA2WXRR at checkout
* Slimming fleece lined leggings only $6.99
* 8 count lip smackers – great for stocking stuffers or favors! $6
* lowest price: Leapfrog Number Lovin’ Oven $13.19
* lowest price: Fisher Price Little People Animal Rescue Set $25.59
Social Icons