Lemonade Sign

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It all started with this blank sign I found in the free pile at a yard sale.
  
I grabbed it for 2 reasons:
1.  'Free' is my favorite word.
2.  I already had an idea for it!

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Before we get started, let me welcome you to the Creative Craft Hop hosted by Sara from Birdz of a Feather.  If you just came from Jenna @ The Painted Apron, Welcome to the Cottage!  At the bottom of this post I'll direct you to the next stop on this hop, but be sure to visit all of the other stops for some amazing inspiration. They will all be listed.  

Now, back to the sign!

Since it was already sanded, I used the rest of my can of paint and primer to give it a good base.
The paint raised the grain a bit, so I knocked it back down with a piece of 220 grit sandpaper.  
I found a font and lemon I liked on Design Space and cut them on my Maker using cardstock.  
I like to do a 'dry-run' with cardstock to check it for size, see how it will look, etc.
Once I was happy with it, I cut both pieces on stencil vinyl and weeded them. 
The transfer tape was applied...
...and the backing was peeled off.
After placing the stencil on the sign, the painting began.
Using a stencil brush, very little paint was applied, basically, a dry-brush application to prevent 'bleeding'.  After several coats of paint, the stencil was peeled away...
...and the center pieces were weeded out.
Next, the lemon and the leaves.
The sign needed to be 'framed' so I taped the edge and started painting.
Then I changed my mind and painted the entire outside edge too!
Time for the lemon's close-up!
A quick spray of clear and this little project was done!

Not bad for something from the Free Pile!

Now about the back of it..........

Don't forget this is a hop so it's time to visit Donna @ Modern on Monticello.  Once you've stopped by to see her, be sure to visit all of the others for more inspiration!


Comments

  1. Gail @Purple Hues and MeJuly 16, 2024 at 7:28 AM

    What a cute project, Ann! And a freebie is the best! Lemonade reminds me of my childhood when my sister and I had to make fresh squeezed lemonade almost on a daily basis during the summer months. It was one of the ways we stayed cool back then!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJuly 16, 2024 at 3:52 PM

      Thank you, Gail. Who can resist a free blank sign and Lemonade really is summer staple, isn't it?

      Delete
  2. My thrift store addictionJuly 16, 2024 at 8:10 AM

    Ann, lemons are such a lovely reminder of all things summer. Your lemonade sign is so cute and you can't beat FREE--pinned!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJuly 16, 2024 at 3:57 PM

      You are so right, Cecilia - FREE can't be beat! I just love the look of lemons in the summertime, so I made a sign to match my jar...

      Delete
  3. SaraJuly 16, 2024 at 8:22 AM

    Awesome sign Ann! Hubs makes me a lemonade drink every day; I have to show this to him! Do you have something else planned for the back????

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJuly 16, 2024 at 3:59 PM

      Well, aren't you the lucky one?! Your hubby is definitely a keeper! As for the back of the sign, it seems a shame to let it go to waste....

      Delete
  4. AnonymousJuly 16, 2024 at 9:19 AM

    The best finds are the ones that are FREE. I love what you did with your sign. Super cute Ann.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJuly 16, 2024 at 4:00 PM

      Thank you so much, and I couldn't agree more!

      Delete
  5. thepaintedapron.comJuly 16, 2024 at 9:56 AM

    So cute Ann, now all you need is a pitcher of lemonade and some customers! My grands have been doing lemonade stands in their front yard all summer, they would love to have your sign! It's hard to beat free, and your sign is perfect summer decor!
    Jenna

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJuly 16, 2024 at 4:01 PM

      Thank you, Jenna. I've seen a few lemonade stands this year - even at yard sales, but I'm not giving up my sign! HaHa!

      Delete
  6. Tammy LagalyJuly 16, 2024 at 11:08 AM

    Adorable Ann! I love how crisp and clean it is. Just makes you want to grab a glass of cold lemonade!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJuly 16, 2024 at 4:03 PM

      Thank you so much, Tammy. With the weather we've been having, I think we all need a nice cold glass of lemonade!

      Delete
  7. Vintage Style GalJuly 16, 2024 at 12:52 PM

    This is an adorable sign Ann, I would not have thought to print on cardstock to be sure I would like the sign. I am a jump in with both feet kind of gal which sometimes gets me into trouble. So cute, especially for summer! I also love FREE!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJuly 16, 2024 at 4:05 PM

      Thanks, Cara. The 'dry-run' has saved me so many times and you know how I love something for free!!!

      Delete
  8. Donna @ Modern on MonticelloJuly 16, 2024 at 1:01 PM

    Free is always a great place to start. Even if I didn't have an idea for it at the time, I would have brought it home too. You turned it into an adorable sign for summer.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJuly 16, 2024 at 4:07 PM

      Thank you, Donna. I was actually surprised to see it in the free pile, so I grabbed it quickly!

      Delete
  9. Alys MilnerJuly 16, 2024 at 6:29 PM

    Beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Joanne July 17, 2024 at 6:32 AM

    That is lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Allyson @ Southern SunflowersJuly 17, 2024 at 12:40 PM

    Yay, a free sign to transform into a cute summer sign! I never get tired of seeing lemon decor. It's so cheerful. I love the font you chose.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJuly 17, 2024 at 8:20 PM

      Thank you, Allyson. I love free things and lemons and lemonade just mean 'summer'!

      Delete
  12. Kim July 17, 2024 at 7:15 PM

    It's very pretty, Ann! I love the font you used and the trick of using the cardstock first. Nice! I have to keep that in mind. Happy Summer!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJuly 18, 2024 at 8:35 AM

      Thanks, Kim. I seem to have a 'lemon theme' going on this summer!

      Delete
  13. Debra | Gma'sPhotoJuly 20, 2024 at 3:17 AM

    Love this!! and FREE is the absolute!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJuly 20, 2024 at 8:26 AM

      Thank you, Debra...and I do love a freebie!

      Delete
  14. Jennifer WiseJuly 23, 2024 at 10:31 PM

    Oh, this is darling! I love it. So fresh and summery. Thanks for sharing this post with us at the Will Blog for Comments #43 linkup. We hope to see you at #44, too. Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Our Hopeful HomeJuly 24, 2024 at 11:48 PM

    So cute! And you can't go wrong with free! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm. xo Kathleen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJuly 25, 2024 at 1:20 PM

      Thank you, Kathleen. I was pretty pleased with the price!

      Delete
  16. AnnaJuly 29, 2024 at 5:43 AM

    Wow, what a fantastic transformation! 🎨 I’m so impressed with how you turned a simple free sign into such a charming and vibrant piece. The lemon and leaf design is absolutely delightful, and the attention to detail with the dry-brush technique really paid off. I love how you made the most of the materials you had and the creative process you shared. It’s inspiring to see such a clever and beautiful result from something that was just sitting in the free pile. Thanks for sharing your creative journey with us, and I’m excited to see what’s next in the hop! 🌟🍋

    ReplyDelete
  17. Kerryanne @ Shabby Art BoutiqueAugust 1, 2024 at 8:00 PM

    Such a sweet sign Ann. Thank you for sharing it at Create, Bake, Grow and Gather this week. I'm delighted to be featuring it at tonight's party and pinning too.
    Hugs ~ Kerryanne

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnAugust 1, 2024 at 10:34 PM

      Thank you so much, Kerryanne. I'll be sure to stop by!

      Delete
  18. AnonymousOctober 1, 2024 at 7:59 AM

    Beautiful sign. Thanks for sharing your creative journey with us, and I’m excited to see what’s next in the hop! 🌟

    ReplyDelete

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