How to ramp up iconic fall directional signs with an advanced drop shadow technique

How to stencil shadows on rustic fall directional signs - Corn Maze, Pumpkin Patch, Hay Rides, Apple Sider rustic fall signs with Funky Junk's Old Sign Stencils

Happy fall everyone!

Although we’re in full-out fall season here with endless rainy days at times, when that sun comes out, it’s sprint time for a chance to enjoy a bike ride through all those fallen leaves!

However, rainy days do make pretty fabulous guilt-free indoor-creating days, do they not? Which helped make a year-long brainstorm finally happen.

You may remember the directional signs I made last Christmas with these winter sayings. 

Along the same line, I desired some iconic fall sayings to be a part of the stencil line. So I got to work! Each 2-word phrase was designed to marry each other well, as well as look great on their own.

With a little twist… 

I’m SO all about unique creativity, so tagging alongside the new fall words (Corn Maze, Apple Cider, Pumpkin Patch, and Corn Maze) a super fun Arrow Kit and Fall Graphics were also added! The endless possibilities with all these new stencils pave the way for some pretty great workshop material or simply to use in your own home over and over again. No two signs need to look alike! I love that.

Visit the store HERE to see all the fall designs.

So as I was going about my way to make these fall directional signs happen, I decided to up their level a bit with a drop shadow and paint splatter technique, which I’ll also share in this post!

So… allow me to share what’s lived in my own head since last fall…

How to stencil rustic fall directional signs with drop shadows

 

How to stencil shadows on rustic fall directional signs - Corn Maze, Pumpkin Patch, Hay Rides, Apple Sider rustic fall signs with Funky Junk's Old Sign Stencils

Supplies I used:

(this post contains some Amazon affiliate links)

Reclaimed wood fence boards

Fall stencil sayings – from HERE

Arrow Kit stencil – from HERE

Stencil brushes

Fusion Mineral Paint’s Tuscan Orange and Coal Black

Find a local Fusion merchant HERE

Other various acrylic craft paint in desired tones

Variable speed palm sander


Preparing reclaimed chippy white wood for fall signs with Funky Junk's Old Sign Stencils

How-to

1. Select reclaimed wood boards, and prepare them for stenciling.

These reclaimed wood fence boards I found HERE measured at 4.25″ deep x various lengths.

As I wanted these fall signs to look authentic, the old fence boards were pressure washed, then lightly sanded with a palm sander just enough to remove any loose paint flakes. Then left as-is.

Preparing reclaimed chippy white wood for fall signs with Funky Junk's Old Sign Stencils-001

2. Arrange the stencils on each board, deciding which word you prefer where.

How to stencil shadows on rustic fall directional signs - Corn Maze, Pumpkin Patch, Hay Rides, Apple Sider rustic fall signs with Funky Junk's Old Sign Stencils

Since I planned to stack my directional signs, and already decided that the first words would be coloured, I laid out the words in an order that would best marry each other colour-wise.

How to stencil shadows on rustic fall directional signs - Corn Maze, Pumpkin Patch, Hay Rides, Apple Sider rustic fall signs with Funky Junk's Old Sign Stencils

3. How to stencil drop shadows

Because I desired the first coloured words to ‘pop’, I added a black drop shadow to each one.

a) Stencil the entire phrase in black.

I used Fusion’s Coal Black.

How to stencil shadows on rustic fall directional signs - Corn Maze, Pumpkin Patch, Hay Rides, Apple Sider rustic fall signs with Funky Junk's Old Sign Stencils

b) After the black paint is dry to the touch, replace the stencil on top of the first word only, then position the stencil slightly up and to the left. Tape stencil in place.

How to stencil shadows on rustic fall directional signs - Corn Maze, Pumpkin Patch, Hay Rides, Apple Sider rustic fall signs with Funky Junk's Old Sign Stencils

How to stencil shadows on rustic fall directional signs - Corn Maze, Pumpkin Patch, Hay Rides, Apple Sider rustic fall signs with Funky Junk's Old Sign Stencils

c) Stencil the top colour.

I use Fusion’s Tuscan Orange. It was SO perfect and beautiful!

You may also find the top coat requiring two coats in order to cover the black base coat. It’s best to add a little at a time, attempting to keep your brush dry-to-the-touch each round.

Learn more about how to stencil HERE

How to stencil shadows on rustic fall directional signs - Corn Maze, Pumpkin Patch, Hay Rides, Apple Sider rustic fall signs with Funky Junk's Old Sign Stencils

How to stencil shadows on rustic fall directional signs - Corn Maze, Pumpkin Patch, Hay Rides, Apple Sider rustic fall signs with Funky Junk's Old Sign Stencils

d) If desired, slightly splatter black paint over top of the top colour for added effects.

Leave the stencil in place, then flick black paint across the words with your finger. Remove stencil to reveal the look.

With the other words, I used various acrylic craft paints for the red, yellow and grey.

How to stencil shadows on rustic fall directional signs - Corn Maze, Pumpkin Patch, Hay Rides, Apple Sider rustic fall signs with Funky Junk's Old Sign Stencils

How to stencil shadows on rustic fall directional signs - Corn Maze, Pumpkin Patch, Hay Rides, Apple Sider rustic fall signs with Funky Junk's Old Sign Stencils

4. Add arrow tips and ends on both sides of each word, rotating the directions.

This part was the most fun! I simply taped off the stencil where I desired the arrows to end, then stenciled with Coal Black on either side of the 2-word phrases, rotating the arrow directions with each sign.

Arrow Kit | Funky Junk's Old Sign Stencils product shot

The kit allows you to create lots of different arrow variations! I am REALLY enjoying this stencil!

Find the Arrow Kit HERE

Then it was time to hang up my nearly year-long fall dream and make them do something fun!

How to stencil shadows on rustic fall directional signs - Corn Maze, Pumpkin Patch, Hay Rides, Apple Sider rustic fall signs with Funky Junk's Old Sign Stencils

Apple Cider anyone?

Because I attached the sign boards to a board and batten wall treatment in my photo studio, this created gaps between the signs and wall so I could slip S-hooks on the boards to hang mugs.

You can create gaps on any sign boards by screwing two small wood pieces from behind if desired.

How to stencil shadows on rustic fall directional signs - Corn Maze, Pumpkin Patch, Hay Rides, Apple Sider rustic fall signs with Funky Junk's Old Sign Stencils

While the signs stand on their own really well…


How to stencil shadows on rustic fall directional signs - Corn Maze, Pumpkin Patch, Hay Rides, Apple Sider rustic fall signs with Funky Junk's Old Sign Stencils

How to stencil shadows on rustic fall directional signs - Corn Maze, Pumpkin Patch, Hay Rides, Apple Sider rustic fall signs with Funky Junk's Old Sign Stencils

The addition of rustic branches / S-hooks / mugs / an apple basket further their story. It’s a fun challenge marrying theme to words!

How to stencil shadows on rustic fall directional signs - Corn Maze, Pumpkin Patch, Hay Rides, Apple Sider rustic fall signs with Funky Junk's Old Sign Stencils

The shadow and splatter letters really help make those first words pop!


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Above is a short video of the process. They were very fun and easy to make!

Music: Happiness by https://www.bensound.com/

How to stencil shadows on rustic fall directional signs - Corn Maze, Pumpkin Patch, Hay Rides, Apple Sider rustic fall signs with Funky Junk's Old Sign Stencils

Fall directional signs dream mission complete!

Now to get some real Apple Cider on the go here…

How would you use these signs?

Funky Junk's Old Sign StencilsVisit All Stencil ProjectsShop The Storefind a stencil retailer

Shop all the new fall stencils HERE

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Categories: All Cool Projects, DIY, Fall, Junk Drawer, Old Sign Stencils, Reclaimed wood projects, Seasonal, Signs
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6 thoughts on “How to ramp up iconic fall directional signs with an advanced drop shadow technique

  1. Stunning Donna. Love the drop shadow behind the lettering, it makes it pop. Mmmmmm since it’s Spring here in S Africa, I’m thinking that those new arrow head stencils will look pretty darn cool combined with your beach themed stencils and just maybe add the cider one too. Cider’s good no matter what the season is 😉

    • Thanks Michelle! Those arrows would work perfectly with the Getaway Collection because the fall sayings are designed to the same scale. You just may be the first to give it a whirl… 😀

      And one day I aspire to visit Africa. Every time you comment, I want to hop on a plane to see what you see….

    • Carlene, the way you’re going to town with the new fall stencils, I’m surprised you didn’t beat me to it! 😀

      Loving all your unique creations! Just what they were designed to help do. Thank-you for your never ending creativity!

  2. Love these new stencils & your techniques Donna, I have purchased your buffalo check stencil & have used it on anything and everything. Great stencil

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