In our previous post we featured a name plaque with a woodland animal theme. For this entry I’d like to share the steps I took to create it. To complete this project you will need the following:
A wooden plaque
Birch rings (can be found at craft/art supply store)
Ribbon
Selection of paint colors
Painters tape
Screw eyes (I used Everbilt #216 8pk)
1″ chip brush
Detail paint brush
Twine
Stencils (optional if you’d like to freehand your designs)
Wooden letters (optional if you’d like to paint them)
Glue
Power drill and 1/16 drill bit
Step 1: Paint wooden plaque with base color
I used the Behr color Cappuccino Froth N210-2. Allow first coat to dry and apply a second coat if necessary.
Step 2: Tape off boarders
With painters tape section off the top and bottom borders of your plaque. If you’d like your plaque to be one color only, skip to step 4.
Step 3: Paint your border colors
I used Behr color ULTRA PURE WHITE 50. Allow first coast to dry, then apply second coat if necessary.
Step 4: Paint your birch rings
While your plaque is drying you can paint the base color of your birch rings. If you’d like to keep the natural wood as a base, skip this step.
The colors used for the birch ring background: Ultra Pure White, Dark Truffle PPU5-19, Cappuccino Froth N210-2
Step 5: Remove tape from plaque
Step 6: Trace pattern with stencil
I selected a tree stencil for the top and bottom border of the plaque. Stencils are optional as you can, of course, freehand a design.
Step 7: Paint in your stenciled design
With your detail brush, paint your stenciled design in your desired color. Allow paint to dry and apply second coat if necessary.
Trees are painted in Perennial Green M410-7.
Step 8: Paint your woodland creatures
I used stencils and a freehand design borrowed from the Cute as a Fox blog site.
Fox painted in Tandoori M170-7. Acorn painted in Sizzling Sunset P200-6. Squirrel painted in Dark Truffle PPU5-19. Owl painted in Whiskey Barrel N230-6.
Step 9: Glue your letters on
Position your letter blocks on the plaque as desired and secure to plaque with glue.
Step 10: Position your birch rings
Determine how you’d like your birch rings to be positioned in relation to each other and how far you’d like them to hang down. I went with an offset pattern and a 1-2″ drop.
Step 11: Place screw eyes in birch rings
Mark the top of your birch rings and screw in the screw eyes. Use a drill if necessary.
Step 12: Place screw eyes in wooden plaque
Mark the where you’d like each ring to hang from and make a mark. With your drill and 1/16 drill bit, drill a guide hole and place the screw eye.
Step 13: Tie together with twine
Measure out the desired length of twine to hang your birch rings. Secure the twine to each screw eye with a knot. You could also use ribbon or colored string to do this step.
Step 14: Drill holes for hanger and thread with ribbon.
If your plaque doesn’t already have a hanger you will need to create one. This is as easy as drilling a hole in each corner and threading ribbon through.
Step 15: Tie knots in ribbon and hang on door
Tie knots big enough to keep the ribbon from slipping out and your plaque is ready to hang on a door or wall.
Colorfully yours,
-Quinn
