A few months ago I decided to accept the challenge to create a “Lightning Craft,” as in as-fast-as lightning. I shared the tutorial these lovely flowers, which I use for decor and, of course, baby headbands. Shocking, I know.
I really enjoyed thinking up a craft I could share that would fall into the ultimate “craft QUICKie” category, so I decided to take on the challenge again this month. Today I am sharing with you the first post I have related to the remodeling and redecorating of my dad’s house. It was MAJOR and in the fall when preschool restarts and life calms down a bit I have MANY MANY MANY posts planned to share with you! I know you will love the before and after shots, especially of the kitchen! It’s super fab, if I do say so myself. If you are interested in knowing a bit more about how and why we decided to remodel and redecorate you can check out my post from just before the remodel happened (An Unexpected Post) or my post from the other day about Toy Storage Solutions. The first one will give you more background.
The kitchen is sleek and styled as it is, and since I was trying to keep everything classy but also simple and more on the masculine side, I didn’t do much with extra decor. However, during the remodel the kids and I had to go stay with my in-laws in Utah, and while there I was walking through an Anthropologie, just dreaming and wishing, when I spotted some simple, block metal letters that were a bit distressed. I thought to myself that they would be PERFECT for my dad’s kitchen to spell out the word EAT on the wall. But they were $20 each! I knew he would scoff at that. I also knew that Hobby Lobby sold boxy cardboard letters just like those letters, and that spray paint is my buddy.
I was so pleased with myself for this stroke of brilliance, and I was super excited to share them with all of you. And then I started seeing them EVERYWHERE! So, I know, I know, this is not the first tutorial like this. But, what can I say, great minds think alike! I had mine painted, photographed and hung before I spotted them on another blog or on Pinterest, and now I seem to see them all over. But maybe a few of you haven’t thought of this idea yet, so this tutorial is for those few of you. And for myself, because I am stubborn and still pleased with myself for coming up with the idea. Haha.
Most of the other tutorials that I saw tried to make their letters look more roughed up and distressed than mine, which is actually more like the originals from Anthropolgie. But my dad likes things to look very clean, so I kept mine simple. It took less than fifteen minutes to make these if you don’t include drying time, and even with drying time it was only about 30 minutes total!
I decided to use hammered finish spray paint to get a bit of a textured look without having to distress them. I bought the cardboard letters at Hobby Lobby and the hammered spray paint at Walmart. I can’t believe how cheap spray paint is at Walmart!
Lay your letters out on a sheet or mat of some sort and spray. Give it a second coat after drying if you would like to create a bit more texture with the hammered spray paint.
Once the letters are completely dry you just have to hang them! I used the 3m Command hanging strips. I am told they do not harm walls. Let’s hope that is true so I don’t get in trouble with my dad!
I think they look so nice, don’t you?! My Anthro Knockoff Wall Decor.
If you would like to see the other fun Craft Lightning Crafts then be sure to check out the blogs of the Craft Lightning hosts, Angie and Carolina!
Linking up at the Link Party Palooza.
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Sarah says
July 31, 2013 at 12:06 pmThey turned out so nice! Love that you stuck them up with Command strips too. So easy.
sarah says
August 1, 2013 at 12:33 pmIt was my first time trying those. They rock!
Sandra {simpleispretty.com} says
July 31, 2013 at 2:26 pmGreat idea!
sarah says
August 1, 2013 at 12:33 pmThanks! 🙂
Julie says
July 31, 2013 at 7:17 pmI love them! The hammered spray paint looks awesome! I have been thinking about doing something similar for my kids’ room. Did you just hide the tabs from the command hooks when you stuck them on the letters and wall?
sarah says
August 1, 2013 at 12:32 pmIt’s the command STRIPS, Julie. Not the hooks. They are totally flat. I hadn’t used them before but apparently they work like a dream and can even hang plates! You have to pull DOWN to remove them, not out, in order to not hurt the drywall.
Julie says
August 1, 2013 at 12:38 pmHELLO! Pregnancy brain… thanks for clearing that up for me. 🙂 Good thing I checked.
katie says
August 6, 2013 at 7:10 pmI love everything about this sign! And I love that its a quick project–I’m featuring it tomorrow on Sew Woodsy!
sarah says
August 6, 2013 at 7:18 pmThank you thank you!!
Megan says
August 7, 2013 at 8:15 amThese are lovely. I’ve been wanting to do this and you make it look so easy. I guess I just need to pick a word now.
sarah says
August 7, 2013 at 8:47 amThanks, girl! Seriously. THey are the easiest ever!
Jes Humrich says
January 21, 2014 at 9:12 amLove this!!! Thanks for the tutorial!