I love Pinterest as much as the next person. You know what we do, right? We see the cutest ideas and pin, pin and pin some more. But it’s hard to find the time to create them all, right? I am guilty for sure. But sometimes there’s one pin that sticks out more than the others.
For me, it’s been this “EAT” sign made from reclaimed lumber by Sweet Pickins.
I just love the big boldness of it! And I love words on my walls, so I decided to make my own out of some pallets I have. (I found the pallets for free on Freecycle.org.)
First, I drew out my dimensions. I knew exactly where I was going to put the sign, so I wanted to make sure it wasn’t too big or too small. I just printed some graph paper off the Internet and spaced it all out.
The Mister graciously helped me cut up my pallets. I think I need a new blade for my reciprocating saw, because it’s too hard for me to cut. And then I started measuring and cutting with my miter saw.
I followed my directions loosely and just did what looked right. My directions did help, though.
I nailed the pieces together with my nail gun. I think wood glue would work just fine, if not better. And I probably would have used wood glue if I could have found it. But the nail gun worked.
Then I started staining the letters. I did one at a time so that I could leave the stain on the same amount of time for each one. I learned my lesson while building my night stands. It’s hard to keep everything looking the same if you don’t watch how long you leave the stain on each piece. I think I left it on here for about 3-4 minutes.
I used Minwax English Chestnut stain (the same I used on my night stands). I love how they turned out!
Once the stain dried, I screwed D-ring hangers to the back of the letters. These were the only things I had to buy for this project. The total was around $6.
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Royvia says
Great post.
Gian Carlo says
Hi, there are these pallets free from harmful chemicals? they said that only Canada pallets are free from Chemicals
Goldi says
Hello there talented lady!
I recently bought a nail gun and I’m trying to figure out how you nailed the parts of each letter together. Do you angle the nail so that it goes through say, the top part of the A and then the nail goes into the side of the A?
Did you polyurethane after or just left it?
Thanks!!
Laura says
I did just nail them all in at an angle. No rhyme or reason to it, just whatever would make them stick together. 🙂 I did not put poly on them afterwards because nobody touches them. They just hang on the wall. 🙂
Goldi says
I am BEYOND thrilled that you replied! Do you know how many times I ask a blogger for help with their tutorial and never hear back from them?? Thank you thank you!!
Is it awkward to nail it at an angle? Mine has this thing that you need to push down (where the nail comes out) in order for the nail to go in. I am so clumsy, I might just slip and send a nail into my foot! haha
Laura says
I know, I’ve asked bloggers questions before and don’t hear back, so I try to answer the questions on my blog. It may take me a while, but I’ll get to you eventually. 🙂
Now, yes, it was a bit awkward to nail them in. And honestly, it’s probably better to go to the hardware store and get some flat braces and use those if you’re worried about injuring yourself. 🙂 I definitely don’t want you to do that!!
Carol says
I love your EAT sign!!! On your graph paper are your squares “inches?” I am trying to figure out exactly how big your letters are? 🙂
Laura says
Yes! Roughly 19-20 inches tall. 🙂
Christine says
Very cute! What color paint did you use on your walls? I love that color!
Laura says
It’s Stratton Blue from Benjamin Moore. I love it!
Christine says
Thank you! It’s beautiful!
Laura says
Hi Christine! It’s Stratton Blue from Benjamin Moore. Thanks!!
Teralyn Pilgrim says
I would love to see more pictures of that kitchen! I just bought a house, and I think I want to do our kitchen in this same color scheme. Thank you for the inspiration.
Laura says
Here’s a link to all my posts about my kitchen: https://theturquoisehome.com/category/home/kitchen/
I don’t have a ton of pictures of it, because I want to make it over in a big way someday! 🙂
alli says
what size board did you use for the word eat and deminisions?
Also maybe you can help me i put chalk paint (rustoleum) over magnetic board and it still shows the first word i wrote i will try your chalk method how long to leae it on ? Thanks alot
Desiree Fisher says
OHHHH I do love your EAT sign too. Thanks for chcking mine out.
Desiree @ YourCraftyFriend
Cathy Jo McCall says
This is really neat, Laura! Way to get creative. Looking forward to future posts and ideas. Great job, girl! Love ya…Cathy Jo
Laura says
Thank you Cathy! Glad you’ve joined me here. 🙂