Frugal Friday – Family Established Sign
I know it isn’t Friday – but shouldn’t every day be frugal? I have been wanting
so badly to post this project, but had to wait until after I gave it as Christmas
presents to my daughters. Otherwise they would have seen it on here, and
had the surprise spoiled!
A few months ago I went to a Habitat For Humanity building outlet here in my
little town. The had a wall full of used cabinet doors. I grabbed a few of them for about $2.50 apiece.
I had a plan for the three white ones. I wanted to make a sign for
my daughters homes that had their last name and year they were married.
I got the idea from another bloggger, and used the same vinyl lettering person
she used. I posted about her last friday and you can find her information here.
So I started by sanding the cabinet doors down, then painted them an off-white in semi-gloss.
I did one coat, let it dry, then lightly sanded and did another coat. I believe I did
a total of three coats. The semi-gloss gives it a nice sheen, but if you don’t want that you could
easily use a flat paint.
Then I went to Say Anything Expressions and looked through their different
choices for font. It took me a while, but I finally came up with two
styles that I wanted to use.
I emailed back and forth with Shelly from Say Anything. She helped me
figure out what size letters I needed when I sent her measurements of my doors.
I ended up getting enough for three signs. Two for my daughters and one for
myself. The total price for them was $4 per set…. yes……$4….!
Then at total of $3 for shipping. Now if that is not frugal I don’t know what is!
They also arrived about 3 days after I ordered them. And they were pretty easy
to apply too. They come with a waxy paper that you take off first. This reveals the sticky back side
Then you place the sticky side down in the location you want – here is
where I brought out the measuring tape to be sure I had it centered and
the same distance from the top on both sides.
After you figure out placement and mark it lightly with a pencil, press the vinyl
(backing paper side up) down onto the cabinet, making sure it is completely smooth.
Sometimes the letters want to stick to the backing paper –
I found it worked better when peeling the
paper off if I used something
to press down the letters as I peeled off the top. I used my Pampered Chef mini
spatula cause I am such a tool gal. It worked great!
So here are the completed ones – I was so happy with the way they turned out!
And now that my girls have opened them I can put mine up too!
My husband looked at this and said – man that was a long time ago! He is right, I
can barely remember getting that day pass from kindergarten to go to the wedding……
I am linking this post with “Metamorphosis Monday” at
And “Show and Tell” over at
Also check out some great Tutorials at
I am participating in DIY day at
Jessy
872 days ago
After we got home and I started trying to find a nice spot to put mine, Daniel told me that he knows that since he’s not female he shouldn’t care about such things, but he thought it was really cool! Although he might not like is so much if he were to hear the plans I have forming in my head
It includes matching frames and fun black and white photos of all of us…
[Reply]
The Lumberjack's Wife
872 days ago
That is very cool! And you look way too young to have gotten married in ’78!
[Reply]
admin
872 days ago
Jess – sounds great! I think black and whites of the fam would look really good with it!
And Taylor – you may be my new best friend…..
[Reply]
Melissa
872 days ago
it was by far my fav gift!!!! i am still excited about hanging it up – i have to move a few things around first. loved it – thanks so much!!
[Reply]
Shirley Corwin
871 days ago
What a terrific idea!!! They are really good looking!
[Reply]
Vivian
871 days ago
I love those. I am going to be on the lookout for old cabinet doors now.
[Reply]
staci
871 days ago
I love these! My hubby gave me a Cricut for Christmas – I just found my first project!
[Reply]
Cindy
871 days ago
Those are so beautiful! What a great idea and what a wonderful gift!
[Reply]
Lori e
871 days ago
Brilliant idea. They look so good.
[Reply]
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions
871 days ago
Ha! “Day pass from kindergarten . . .” ~ love your sense of humor! These turned out great; what a good idea for using old cabinet doors. Your girls must have just loved them!
[Reply]
Kim
871 days ago
They turned out great. I ordered something similar for my family members a few Christmas’ back. But my signs came premade. I didn’t have to do anything but wrap them.
[Reply]
jennibell
870 days ago
This is such a neat idea!!! Thanks for sharing. . .I went to the website and spent a lot of time browsing. . .hope to make a purchase for myself soon
[Reply]
Mimi
870 days ago
What a great idea, love them!
[Reply]
Amanda @ Serenity Now
870 days ago
Those signs are just beautiful! That’s a gift I’d love to receive.
Job well done!
Visiting from Kimba’s party. I hope you’ll stop by.
Here’s my link:
http://serenitynow4amanda.blogspot.com/2009/12/diy-easy-jute-banner-tutorial.html
[Reply]
FunLuckyKitty
838 days ago
Oh, I love it. What font and size did you choose? We got married last year, and I’d like to make this for us.
[Reply]
Barb
705 days ago
Hi Sharyl
I hope that is your first name..I saw someone else call you that on the comment posts so hope that’s right. You probably don’t rememeber me (santasgiftshoppe.blogspot.com) but just wanted to stop by & tell you how much I love this..& all the wonderful gifts you gave your girls..How special that is..What a wonderful inspirational thing to make!! Beautiful job to boot!
I just wanted to thank you for helping me get started with SITS & the link parties..You were so sweet to help & inform me (when starting out) as to how & what to do to get going on my blog..If you have any suggestions for how to do the same thing with my ETSY shop..www.santasgiftshoppe.etsy.com
(there’s only 1 link party that promotes ETSY shops that I know of) Thanks for everything..You are very special to me! A sweetheart of a person too! Barb
[Reply]