When I spotted this wood plaque at Goodwill, I absolutely intended to something Christmas-y with it. But like all Decembers, my crafting window opened and closed and it was January once again. So, I decided to use it for a winter sign instead.
Heavy and solid, it was obviously someone else’s homemade project.
Clearly I’m not the only one that sometimes donates my DIYs!
But, either way, it was primed for a makeover. And with snowy, winter days on the horizon, I went with that theme in mind.
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From Wood Plaque to Winter Sign
First things first, it needed some dusting before I could do anything else. I wanted to dismantle it, but the old flathead screws that held the tree in place wouldn’t budge.
So, I had to clean creatively.
Using a paper towel and a bamboo skewer, I was able to poke into the corners and crevices to scrub out dust.
That did a fairly decent job! I would have rather worked on it as individual pieces, but eh…this was ok.
Then, I gathered some paint colors and a “Let’s get cozy” stencil for my winter sign.
Blue for the background of the wood plaque and green for the tree.
Once it was painted, I was ready to begin stenciling the sign!
I took a moment, though, to appreciate that it kind of-sort of looked like a US Forest Service patch! That made the biologist in me smile.
Let’s Get Cozy Sign
Once the paint dried, I used 220-grit sandpaper to lightly distress the edges. Not too much, just a little here and there.
Then it was time for stenciling the actual sign! I planned on using the “Let’s get cozy” stencil directly on the green tree.
I roughly centered the stencil and fixed it in place with painter’s tape. Then, I stippled over the stencil with white craft paint.
Easy peasy! It looked pretty good.
And since I already had white paint on my stencil brush, I dabbed “snow” on the edges of the tree, as well.
But my “Let’s get cozy” sign still needed something…it was a little too plain for my liking.
So, I grabbed a snowflake stencil and carefully stenciled different shaped and sized snowflakes on the blue background.
You may recall this older project of mine that involved a snowflake stencil, too. But those were from a different stencil altogether!
Winter Sign for Cozy Home Decor
Once I was done stenciling on the snowflakes, my winter sign was done!
Cute right? Perfect for a little winter vignette, or even hanging on a door like a wreath.
And yes, I *did* make a little flannel scarf for my favorite coffee mug! I mean, I have to do SOMETHING with all the flannel scraps I have now, right?
Getting cozy with blankets, hot beverages, and lap cats is one of my favorite things about winter. And I think my “Let’s get cozy” sign sums it up perfectly.
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Also, today is Thrift Store Decor Team Day! So, make sure you check out what my friends have been up to, too!
1. Picture Frame Valentine Love – My Repurposed Life
2. Tin Heart Valentine’s Day Project – House of Hawthornes
3. DIY Nautical Trash Can – My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
4. $2 ReStore Chair – Domestically Speaking
5. Thrift Store Trash Can Makeover – Our Southern Home
6. Winter Makeover (Since Christmas Came and Went!) – Sadie Seasongoods
7. Upcycle Thrift Store Finds into a Candle Holder – Petticoat Junktion
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Speaking of winter and cold weather, I hope you’ll check out my first book, “Crafting with Flannel”. It’s full of craft projects that are perfect for this time of year!
And if you enjoyed this upcycling idea for winter decor, then you may also be interested in these winter snow globes that I made, as well.
Craft on!
S
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Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
I can feel a warm fire on a starry night just looking at this sign, love it.
Thank you so much!
Very cute!
Thank you!
Adorable as always. I love Cozy this time of year. Now I’ll be looking for a wooden plaque to upcycle. Congratulations for another great project.
Thanks so much, Amanda!
This is so cute and a great way to use that plaque. Love your light fixture snow globes too!
Thank you so very much, Michelle!
Such a cute makeover!
Thanks, Kristin!
So cute!!!! What a great find!!
Thank you!
Aww so cute and very creative. Thanks for sharing
Happy 2021
Thank you! Happy New Year!
Sarah,
You’re so clever to spin this project into a winter sign! I would never think to do that. It’s really cute.
Pinned!
gail
Thanks, Gail!
I was going to ask where you got the cute coffee mug! I should have known you dressed it up yourself!
Ha! Well, it’s cute on its own even without the scarf! (got it from Starbucks several years ago)
Another fantastic project and definitely OOAK! When you talked about cleaning the plaque, I cringed. Have you discovered Awesome, a cleaner I get at Dollar Tree? Sprayed onto anything that can get wet, the brown crud just runs down and out of crevices (great on dusty, greasy thrifted treasures). I’ve also used it as a stain remover on clothes. I believe in energy conservation–‘specially when it is MY energy!
I haven’t seen that cleaner before! I rarely go to Dollar Tree, though, so that’s probably why. Might have to break my no-shopping-at-Dollar-Tree rule, though, to check it out!
That turned our great!! Pinned.
Thanks, Joanne!