Upcycle or Repurpose Wood to Primitive Folk Snowman Plaque Sign

When I find wood laying around I can't resist picking it up to repurpose or upcycle into something more than what it is.

With Christmas right around the corner and the two stores in which I consign my art in need of Christmas gifts and decor, the most logical destiny for the wood plank or slat from an old crate was a Christmas themed sign.

Acrylic paint: Black, Antique White, Avocado Green, Barn Red, Orange

I don't bother sealing the wood but you can to conserve paint.

Lay in the black and white checks first, let dry.

Float a shadow along the outside edge with diluted black.

Paint the red section of the stocking using multiple layers until thoroughly covered.

Let dry between layers.

With avocado green, paint the top, toe and heel of the stocking. Use just one layer of paint for the top of the stocking because you're going to paint the snowman's head. It will take less white to cover the green top edge should you need to.

Let dry then paint the head of the snowman in multiple layers until the wood is thoroughly covered.

Note: So I don't have to type it out with each step, practice this standing instruction: Allow layers to dry before adding to them or painting a different color next to another.

Once the head of the snowman is painted and dry, paint the face details and add avocado green to the top of the stocking until it's completely covered.

Add the hat and keep adding to the dry paint until the wood is completely covered.

Add the word "Snow", the simple snowflakes (or stars) and other details like stitching and lines.

Float diluted black around the inside edges of the red.

Tip: Always work from the background to foreground when painting.

To hang: I drilled two holes in the top from the front to the back, poked wire through the holes and twisted the wire closed.

Poster signs are available at Visages Gifts. Examples are below.

"Shut up and watch the game" Funny Sports Posters

Funny Sports Posters by Visages
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Glad to be a Grad Graduation Poster 

Glad to be a Grad Graduation 2012 Poster by Visages
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Cute Country Folk Art Picture Poster

Cute Country Folk Art Picture Poster by Visages
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Cute Personalized Flower Garden Fairy Print

Cute Personalized Flower Garden Fairy Print by Visages
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Cute Personalized Flower Garden Fairy Posters 

Cute Personalized Flower Garden Fairy Posters by Visages
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Cute Bumble Bee Personalized Print

Cute Bumble Bee Personalized Print by Visages
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Cute Bumble Bee Personalized Posters

Cute Bumble Bee Personalized Posters by Visages
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Primitive Folk Art Snowman Print

Primitive Folk Art Snowman Print by Visages
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Cutest Girl Nursery or Bedroom Floral Poster 

Cutest Girl's Nursery or Bedroom Floral Poster by Visages
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Cute Country Angel Watering Flowers Poster 

Cute Country Angel Watering Flowers Poster by Visages
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Inspiration Through Nature Poster

Inspiration Through Nature Poster by Visages
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Inspiration Through Nature Print 

Inspiration Through Nature Print by Visages
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Santa Claus Flies Print 

Santa Claus Flies Print by Visages
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Santa Flies Posters 

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Freshening Up an Old Mirror

Take an old, vintage or antique mirror and freshen it up with paint.

Paints you'll need:
Black and metallic gold paint (acrylic paint in this case) for the frame.

Sage green and bright red enamel paints for glass and mirrors.

What to do:
FRAME

• Sand the mirror frame while wearing a mask. LEAD PAINT is dangerous to your lungs.

No need to sand it to bare wood; sand just enough to remove loose paint.

• Wipe with a slightly dampened rag or paper towel to remove dust and loose paint.
• Paint the entire frame black and let dry. Speed up drying with a blow dryer if you wish
• Paint on the metallic gold. Here I applied it along and inside decorative grooves. Let dry.

I lightly sanded off some of the paint to roughen the look a bit since the original paint was pitted.

MIRROR GLASS

• Clean with vinegar and water then wipe dry.
• Use a clean paper towel dampened with alcohol and wipe the mirror glass.

No need to wipe dry

• Using the art brush of your choice (script, angled, flat 1/4 inch) and green enamel paint for glass, paint the vine and leaves.
• Let dry.
• Using the handle of a brush, dip into the red enamel and randomly apply dots (berries) around the vine. I preferred the larger handle to make bigger dots but small ones would work too.

That's it. This mirror set a few days to dry and cure before I took it to Glasgow Trading Post in Glasgow, MO, to sell.

Kitchen hand towels with flair from Visages also add to the decor

Blue floral flourish toile kitchen tea towel

Blue Floral Flourish Toile Hand Towel by Visages
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Red checked gingham kitchen hand towel or tea towel

Red Country Folk Gingham Checks Hand Towel by Visages
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Roses in pink with green vines and leaves towel 

Peach Pink and Green Floral Victorian Art Kitchen Towels by Visages
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Blue checked gingham towel for the kitchen 

Blue Country Gingham Hand Towel by Visages
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Kitchen Towel 16" x 24"

Brighten up any kitchen with a set of American MoJo custom kitchen towels. Made of 100% cotton twill, these durable towels will look great with your text, monogram, or artwork. Designed for a lifetime of use, these machine washable kitchen towels look great and clean up well, too!

• Size 16" x 24".
• Durable 100% twill cotton.
• Fabric is made from natural fibers, which may result in irregularities
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Decorative wall clocks

Victorian look peony flowers

Victorian Rose Colored Peonies Picture Round Clock by Visages
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Country crow "Welcome Friends" on blue checks (gingham) wall clock

Country Blue Gingham Welcome Friends Square Wall clocks by Visages
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Round (Medium)

It's time to show off your favorite art, photos, and text with a custom round wall clock from Zazzle. Featured in two sizes, this wall clock is vibrantly printed with AcryliPrint®HD process to ensure the highest quality display of any content. Order this custom round wall clock for your walls or give to friends and family as a gift for a timeless treasure.

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