How to make a bushel and a peck sign out of reclaimed lumber.
Do you remember when the tree fell on my house? It crashed through my very old and weathered privacy fence. It so happens, several sections had to be replaced. I, of course kept the old fence pieces.
Make a Reclaimed Lumber Sign
I used my sawzall to cut the braces apart, then used my circular saw to cut the fence boards. It is four boards by about 37 inches.
Whitewash Rustic Sign
I sort of did a whitewash on the boards using Glidden’s Crisp White Linen--
So, I used a very old brush because the boards were very rough and had lots of places that snagged the brush. Because the boards were so weathered, they turned gray instead of white.
Bushel and a Peck Stencil
I designed the stencil in my Silhouette program. I used the font BOSTON TRAFFIC (dafont.com) It was too large to cut out all at once, but I designed it and then moved the words where it would cut in two different sessions.
I cut the words I Love You a Bushel and a Peck etc. out of contact paper. I peeled away the letters. The best thing about this font is that there were no “oodles” and “boodles” to work around.
edited to add: I have a new way of stenciling large signs like this. You can see a video with my step by step instructions in my post Repurposed Pallet Coffee Cup Rack.
I was very careful to burnish the edges so that there wouldn’t be a lot of “bleed”. I used one of Martha Stewart Foam Pouncers
to paint the letters with Martha’s sample paint Francesca.
I Love You a Bushel and a Peck DIY sign
The paint covered a little too well.
I sanded it back a little. I LOVE how this sign turned out. My mom used to sing this song when I was little, and I sang it to jamie when she was a baby EVERY time I put her down to nap or bedtime. EVERY time! This will hang over the bed in the guest room, should I ever get it done. I still have quite a bit of fence left . . . hmmmm I wonder what is next?
Did you sing something special to your children?
UPDATE: In the room--
gail
More rustic fence projects here
Jenn
Love this. What did you use to hang it with?
Gail Wilson
I use d rings on 99.9% of my projects. They are so easy to install and work great.
gail
girlfromwva
I love that!!! What a cute song and sign. I remember my Mom singing "The Itsy Bitsy Spider". I usually sang nursery songs but I would change the words to fit whichever of the four kids I was singing to. I love "You are My Sunshine."
karen
I love this song, but for me it makes me think of one of my favorite musicals. "Guys and Dolls". I used to know every word to every song. Yes, show tune geek when I was younger! The sign is fantastic. Love that you used your fence boards.
melissa
Love this sign! My mom sang this to me and I sing it to both of my girls (even though they are now 13 and 8). Someday I will sing it to my grandchildren I hope. I also just bought a necklace with this saying.
Kathleen
Your project is gorgeous! if that privacy fence was made of pressure treated wood I would not advise hanging your GORGEOUS sign indoors. Lots of health related issues related to pressure treated wood.
Susan
I love it Gail! I want to learn how to print in 2 sessions... do you have the Cameo or the portrait? I'm finding my Portrait is too small to make large signs without making it in a lot of pieces. Will the Portrait cut in 2 sessions? Thanks for the info 🙂
Susan
Jennifer
Thank you for posting this. My grandmother sang this to me all the time. It brings back great memories.
Allison
My mother also sang this to my sister and I
when we were young. She passed away four
years ago as of this month, it was very
unexpected as she was only 49 years old.
Seeing your sign was a very bittersweet
moment for me, I like to think of it as a
"sign" from her. Great job on the tutorial!
MaryAnn
This is awesome! Please tell me what is the "Silhouette program", and how do I get it?
Gail Wilson
MaryAnn--Silhouette is an electronic cutter, like a Cricut. It cuts vinyl and paper. http://www.silhouetteamerica.com/
I currently use the Portrait, and I LOVE it!
thanks!
gail
thistlewoodfarm
I love this sign! Thank you so much for sharing....I am pinning this!
Michaela @ coveredinmodpodge.blogspot.com
I'm a huge fan of this sign. It looks wonderful and its such a sweet message filled with so much meaning. I recently rescued a palet and I've been waiting for the right thing to do with it. This is great inspiration!
Southern Gal
I'm new here, but wanted to say this project caught my eye. I had to comment. My grandmother used to sing this song to me when I was little. She passed away five years ago. While she was in the hospital I would sit next to her bed and talk to her. She would get tired and wouldn't talk much, but would smile and nod her head acknowledging what was said. I got close to her bed and whispered this song in her ear. She squeezed my hand, smiled and looked right at me. I was just giving back something she gave to me for so many years of my life. You have inspired me to make this sign in honor of my grandmother. Thank you.
Krista
This turned out great. My mom used to sing that to me and all my siblings when we were younger. What a great little centerpiece for your guest room.
Krista @ While He Was Napping
Suzanne@Meridian Road
I love this sign, Gail! The font and the color are perfect, and the song lyrics are so sweet!
I used to sing "You are my sunshine" and "I Am a Child of God" to my kids.
kristinwithani
I could not love this any more. One of my all time favorite phrases/songs. Thanks for sharing!
mylittlegems
I sing this song to my baby all the time (from Guys and Dolls) and I love your sign 🙂 What a great idea to make a sign using lyrics from a "special" song 🙂 so cute
The DIY Show Off
I love your sign, Gail. The vintage look and sweet quote are perfect together. So cute!
Em
I'm almost 30 years old and my Grandma still sings this song to me! I thought I was the only person who knew it!
Faith, Trust, and a Little Pixie Dust
Awww, so cute! I love this expression & this project.
Warmly, Michelle
Tammy @ Type A
i love this! when i was little my grandparents would sing this too me, mostly my grandma...i was just singing it the other day. what a wonderful memory!
Alison @ mommadidit.blogspot.com
I love this song! My mom used to sing it to me, and now I sing it to my kids! Love this sign!