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Source |
The tutorial that I am sharing today uses some of the tips that I learned from that collection along with a little experimentation with some new tips that I found since that post.
To keep costs down, and to eliminate the mountain of scrap wood that has found a home on our family room floor {a.k.a. The Workshop}, I used two left over wooden v-groove planks from our teenage son’s office-in-a-closet planked walls.
The sign was painted with one coat of Annie Sloan’s Chalk Paint in Provence blue and then given a coat of white latex two hours later.
To age the finish, I found a great tip from Funky Junk Interiors. She uses masking tape to pull some of the paint off to give the finish a chippy appearance. This needs to be done before the paint has a chance to cure. I waited about an hour after I painted the latex on to use the tape. Since I didn’t have any masking tape, I used Duct Tape, the 8th Wonder of the World.
This allows the Provence blue paint to show through. I followed that with some light sanding.
I had our oldest son make a Photoshop image of the lettering that was inspired by this photograph.
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Charleston, SC |
Here is the link to the sign image in JPG.
Here is the link to the sign image in photoshop.
To transfer the image to the wood, rub a piece of colored chalk on sheet of paper. Lay this face down on the sign and place the image that you want to trace on top. After you trace the lettering with a ball point pen, the chalk lines can be drawn with a Sharpie marker.

Click here to see the vintage inspired Charleston sign in my Simple Summer Vignette pictured below.
I’m linking this up to these fabulous blogs:
Tatertots and Jello
Kathryn says
Oh my heart be still! I saw you featured on Savvy Southern Style and had to come see the Charleston sign! I just moved to Minnesota from Charleston and miss it so much! I love the sign and now have to make one for myself! It could be a couple of years, but thanks so much for sharing!
Susan Hines says
Would love to have the jpg you mentioned in sign image? I need to do this for my niece that lives in Charleston!
Toni Hammersley says
Love, love, love.. 🙂
Laurie Ritchey says
Tricia, your sign looks fab! It is hard to find your blogging grove, but looks like you’re doing great! laurie
Meaningful Nest says
Really beautiful and great tutorial! I am with you on the working full time and blogging on the side. It is hard, but worth it!
Tricia SimplicityInTheSouth says
Yes! It is worth it!
Stephanie says
I have shopped that Market which makes me love your sign even more!
Claire @ a little something in the meantime . . . says
This looks lovely, Tricia! I’ve been waiting patiently for your reveal and tutorial 🙂 I think it’s time to attempt a painted sign with shadowing.
I know exactly what you mean about having to cut back your blogging pace to maintain balance. I haven’t blogged in almost a month because I just got a job teaching full-time for the rest of the year after almost a year of sporadic work. One day I’ll have time to be creative for fun again!
All the best!
Sarah @ 20 State says
The sign looks amazing and great tutorial! I’m hearing you, blogging takes a whole lot of work and time, you just do what you can. BTW thank you so much for the paint tips for my kitchen…I just knew there would be someone else on the planet who could describe paint as blue/grey/taupe!! Now to find it! 😉
Country And Cashmere says
Wow! I just stumbled upon your blog and have to say I am in awe! I can’t believe you have just started it this year….I have been blogging off and on for a while, struggling along the way. So much actually goes into each post, sometimes its overwhelming. Hang in there…you are doing awesome! I subscribed 🙂 BTW love the house!
sweet southern inspiration says
Great tutorial girl! I think next time we get together it should be to craft instead of eat…or we can eat AND craft 🙂
Tricia SimplicityInTheSouth says
I wonder if it’s possible to eat with one hand and craft with the other?! We need to get together again soon!
City Farmhouse says
I love it, thank you for the tips, I will be pinning:)! Always wanted to visit maybe someday!
Kenzer @ Interiors By Kenz says
Great tutorial! This is going to come in handy when we start decorating our kitchen/dining room.
Thanks for sharing 🙂