Stenciled farmhouse wood sign

How to make it

1. 

   1

   Sand the board

   Sand with 120, then 180 grit. Round the corners a little with the paper.

2. 

   2

   Stain it

   Wipe on stain with a rag and wipe off the extra after 5 minutes. Let it dry 4 hours.

3. 

   3

   Stick down the stencil

   Peel the backing and press the stencil flat. Rub every letter edge with a scraper so paint can't sneak under.

4. 

   4

   Seal the edges

   Dab a thin coat of stain or clear paint over the stencil first. Anything that bleeds under is invisible, and it blocks the real paint.

5. 

   5

   Pounce the paint

   Load the pouncer lightly and dab straight up and down. Two thin coats beat one thick one.

6. 

   6

   Peel while damp

   Lift the stencil slowly while the second coat is still a little wet. Enjoy those sharp letters.

7. 

   7

   Add the hanger

   Center a sawtooth hanger on the back, 1 in from the top, and tap in its nails.