My DIY Chair signs

They are all around the web, the rustic, aged Bride and Groom signs.  I have seen them on Etsy and several wedding blogs. 

I often search the web for DIY ideas that I might be able to complete.  I am NOT crafty.  I am NOT artistic.  I do like to think I am, at times.  I am on a budget, so DIY can be the thing for me. 

I came across a blog of another DIY bride:  Happily After All.  kmattso2.blogspot.com/  She had the perfect DIY project for me, DIY chair signs.  Mrs. Happily got her inspiration from a crafter on www.etsy.com :  http://www.etsy.com/shop/thebackporchshoppe . 

I decided to go to the craft store:  Michael's, and purchase some supplies. 

2 wooden plaques (about $3 each)
dark brown acrylic paint (about $2) - enough to do multiple signs
off-white/cream acrylic paint (about $2) - enough to do multiple signs
Crackel paint kit (about $20) - enough to do multiple signs
medium grain sand paper
fine grain sand paper
tack cloth
sponge brushes
brushes
stencil material
exacto knife
flat clear spray paint

I first sanded the two wooden plaques with the med grit sand paper.  I used the tack cloth to remove the dust.  I then painted the plaques with the dark brown acrylic paint and allowed it to dry for 30 minutes.  I then applied a second coat and allowed to dry for about an hour. 

I then sanded the painted plaques with the fine grain sand paper and again used the tack cloth.  I then applied the crackle medium and allowed to dr for 45 min to an hour and applied a second coat and allowed to dry about an hour.  I then applied a coat of the off-white paint. 

The off-white paint started to crackle quickly.  I had read not to go over the crackled area more than once.  I applied a coat, and I wasn't happy with how thin the coat looked (apply a thick coat), so I applied another coat of the cream paint.  This, in turn, created very little of the crackled effect.  I then allowed this to dry for a couple hours, then sanded and used the tack cloth. 

I then went through the steps again with the brown paint.  This time, when it came to the off-white paint, I only apply one thicker coat.  I allowed this to dry until the next day. 

I then found a found on Microsoft Word that I liked and wanted to use for "Bride" and "Groom".  I used the Blackadder ITC font.  I thought it would work well for our Renaissance Festival Wedding.  I printed out "Bride" and "Groom" a few times experimenting with font sizes.  I then found a size that would work well for the signs.  I printed them out.  I then placed a clear, stencil type material over the words and used an exacto knife to cut them out. 

I centered the stencils I made on the signs and used a pencil to trace the words on the plaques.  I then used the brown acrylic paint to paint the words.

I allowed the signs to dry over-night.  I then applied an antiquing wash over the signs that came with the crackle paint kit.  This gave a brown wash over the plaques which seemed to age it a bit.  I allowed the wash to dry for awhile and then applied several coats of the flat clear spray paint as a top coat. 

My reception will be under a tent, with picnic tables; therefore, I won't use them as chair signs.  I will probably affix them to the side of the table.  I decided since I may not be hanging them, to not put a ribbon on them for hanging.  One could drill large holes at the top for the ribbon or use a light to heavy duty stapler to staple ribbon on. 

Here is my finished project: