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. Do you have a favorite "white"
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
As I often do, 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.
So, I cut the words I Love You a Bushel and a Peck etc. out of contact paper. Then, 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”. Because I love them, 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?
gail
More rustic fence projects here
see more bits and pieces projects here
Gail Wilson is the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. She is obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believes that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again, including herself!
Gail reinvented herself during a midlife crisis and has found purpose again. She hopes you will find new ideas for old things and pick up a few tools along the way.
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 š
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 š What a great idea to make a sign using lyrics from a "special" song š 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!
Full Circle Creations
Great job! I sing that to my dogs. Does that count?
Holly
Crafty Mischief
Of course, I'm sorry about your tree and your fence! You sure turned lemons into lemon aid!
Crafty Mischief
Gail, I love this! My grandpa used to sing that song to me.
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper
i love this, gail! so rustic and i love the saying, too!
Pat
Love the sign! Did you use regular ol' contact paper you can buy in the hardware store? or the silhouette vinyl?
Korrie@RedHenHome
My dad used to SAY this to us! I literally didn't know until I was 37 years old that it is a song š
Debbiedoo's blogging and blabbing
That is an awesome sign you made Gail. I love the quote!
Kelley
so cute... I love it.
Have a great week
Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal
Well that is a pretty great sign to come out of a broken down fence! It will look great in the guest room.
Laura at Ms. Smartie Pants
Adorable! I always sand Que Sera Sera (sp?) another Doris song. Way to make lemonade out of lemons!
Leslie
I love this sign - my mother used to always say this! She still signs it in the cards she mails me and my kids too. :o) Thanks for the warm fuzzies!
Shannon
Cute! I don't really know the song, but always sing these lines š
How perfect to hang it above the bed in the guestroom! It looks great! I really like the colors of it!
Curtains In My Tree
ahh sweet memories
you did a great job on the sign
LizzieT
Oh the memories that brought back to me. My sweet Grandma who passed away when I was thirteen used to sing that to all the grandchildren. When my girls were babies (they are now 20 & 22)I'd sing it to them. I haven't thought of it for a very long time. Thank you for the sweet memories - I love the sign!
Debilou ~ Mississippi Mama
love the sign Gail,, I never knew this was a song i dont guess, but I always told my kids this when they were little.
I Play Outside The Box
That is so neat!! I love it! How sweet that it't a reflection of your special song.
I used to hum to my babies as I rocked them during their feedings. It wasn't any specific tune...just whatever popped into my head at the time. Ć
jamie
adorable!! it turned out great! š
Grammy Goodwill
I want this! I sang this to my kids, too. You did a great job, as usual.
Sheila
Love the sign. I just picked up real old barn wood from my grand as old old barn and was trying to figure out what to do with it and this gives me ideas. You r so talented
Terri
This is so darn cute. Apparently I did not know this was a song, I am just familiar with the first part as a saying. This will be awesome hung above the bed!
Can't wait to hear your big news!!
laxsupermom
Oh, how sweet! I love that your mom sung it to you, and now you sing it, too. Thanks for sharing.
Lesley
I sang, You Are My Sunshine to both my kids. Even though they are teens now, I will rip it out sometimes. They 'act' like they are suffering, but they always melt down and give me a hug!!! LOL
Renewed Upon a Dream
I love signs like this! Yours is lovely! I think the white wash turned grey looks great!
Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.
Well too bad about the fence, but gosh Gail, you can now make a ton of really great signs! And I love the sweet sentiment behind the saying. I bet it just makes you smile!
Barn Weddings
Yah! Really nice designs indeed. I like how the way it was.