I wanted to make a cool number for SNS’s number theme this weekend. So when I came across the perfect plywood scrap at one of my work locations, ideas danced around in my head on what I’d whip up!
I started by freehand sketching what I had in mind. Should I cut a decal to stencil it on?!? Nah… I’ll just wing it this time. Hmmm… which style…
I chose the bad side of the wood in case I left the finish woodsy. The other side was like brand new and we can’t have that! 🙂
The image was sketched on with chalk and tweaked to my heart’s content. It was even easy to wipe off wet and start over in some places.
Cut it out with the jigsaw… so far so good!
Huh… not too bad. A little squiggly but I’ll just palm sand that all off, no big deal. I kinda liked how it looked hand done anyway, as if ol’ Ned the Grocer banged out his own signs in the stock room right before he needed them.
So thinking about colour, I climbed on FJI Facebook and asked the gang for their advice. Nearly ALL wanted RED. Here’s a small sampling of the comments. You gals rock! 🙂
And this is where things got veeeeery interesting. I envisioned a nice beat up coke red for where this was going. But I didn’t have the right red on hand. Drat! I’m fussy about tones so I did it anyway, hoping…. And didn’t like it.
And then the circus came to town.
Oh good GRIEF. I kid you not. This is how many times I painted the thing. The middle one? I had given up by that time and Picaso’d it. But it didn’t rake in any good reviews from me. No quitting my day job that day.
Paint – I used any latex I had laying around. Craft and house interior. The finished paint is white house ceiling paint.
There was actually a reason for me going crazy on it. I later coated it out with white then lifted some paint. (bottom left image) The finish was pretty neat but NOT what I wanted that day. NOW what?!?
And then this little girl beckoned me to listen up. Ahhhh…. now THAT I like! One of my little authentic cow sign labels save the day.
I sanded the edges until they were back to wood, and slapped black on the edges and white on top, using pretty rough cross hatch kind of strokes and built up a texture. Then did a wash of watered down taupe paint. (wipe on, wipe off, nothing technical) The glaze sunk in nicely in all the right rough places.
MUCH better! Although I knew where I wanted the two hung, I couldn’t resist playing just abit.
junk coat hook wall HERE
This thing is BIG.
And this is where it ended up taking residence. There was nothing on these walls yesterday. And there may be nothing tomorrow. But for today, I had some fun!
That cog is not the real deal. Friend Dan created the design and ran it through his router as my name plate for the last workshop event I helped with. Pretty cool, huh?
Numbers numbers everywhere! I think I’m ready for the party now. 🙂
Making the number was actually VERY easy and looked neat in quite a few places. And the totally best part was not having to fork out a zillion dollars in order to have one. Give it a go!
~*~**LOVE it!!! LOVE it white!! Great job!~**~Hugs,Rachel~*~*
Wow, you have been a busy girl! Love your ginormous 2. I wish I had some scraps to make a 3. I may just have to paint one somewhere. I have NO numbers inside. Shocking I know. Just the house numbers on my big pot outside.
LOVE what you’ve done to your stairway walls! I would not have been satisfied with the red number either. Thank you for the inspiration as I have been thinking about trying to free hand larger numbers on scrap plywood too.
have a creative day! 🙂
Darn it all Donna! Now I really wished I had gotten that ship rinch for you at the junk yard!!! I found out it was $50.00!
Mel
I love what you’ve done with your stairway. The 2 looks wonderful there.
What an inspiration you are.
FlowerLady
Love the number “2”!! And especially loved the process…Ha!!
And the peak at your stairway decor is wonderful!
Hugs
SueAnn
You are just so amazing! Simple but awesome!
I love your huge number! You blow my mind! I think your staircase looks fabulous.You should certainly leave all of your fun decor on display.The 2 looks perfect in white, I liked the yellow too.
Very cool, my friend! I’ve been wanting to make numbers and letters for a while now. But jigsaws intimidate me. I can’t cut anything straight to save my life.
I love how it came out and it’s final resting spot. But seriously, you could have put on your head and it would of looked cool.
“Lady” sign is cool too. Where does that one live? Hmm… Off to explore your site to find out.
You’re my hero!!!! My obsessions include numbers and stars. Now if only I could work a jigsaw, my life would be perfect 🙂
Your how is incredible by the way!!!!!
Woah! That soooo rocks, and guess what, I have a huge wood piece identical to yours that has been sitting in my garage for the past 7 years! Now, how to decide on a number? I love you for this : ) Stacey
Very cool! I definitely like the soft white paint. Your steps are looking very junkified (in the best possible way.) I could never get away with the bunch of sticks on my landing. The would be taking a nose dive within about ten minutes!
Looks amazing! So funky, So fantastic! Kudos!
It looks good there. I’ve never seen your stairs ~ did I must that post? Love them!
That is so awesome, Donna! I love letters and numbers in decorating and your creativity never ceases to amaze me (still loving the stairs, too).
Love the number and I like the white! Might have to try one of those little beauties! Your stairs look so amazing, love all the stuff on the wall!!
Seriously love this!! 🙂
Your stairwell is perfect! And….that 2 is 2-die-for! You’re crazy talented.
That stairway is looking better and better Donna! The stairs stand alone all by themselves, but I’m really digging that wall now too. It looks fabulous.
Great job on the number. I’m working on a little something with numbers here, but slim chance of me getting finished in time for the link up…….I don’t think, but we’ll see.
Love your staircas……the number 2 looks perefect in that spot!
Kristen