Like Ashley, I too like to start decorating for Christmas in early November… we inherited this from our mother!  I hope you all are not tired of seeing us create with candlesticks and finials because here we go again:)… This is what I did!!
I decided to make wooden plaques that spelled JOY.  My first step was to get my supplies…
Three unfinished candlesticks and 3 little wood circles ~ found the sticks at Michael’s and the circles at Hobby Lobby.
An 8ft 2 x 6 I purchased at Lowe’s.  You can have Home Depot cut it down to buy less but at $3 I wanted all the extras!
I started by using my Gorilla Glue Epoxy to attach my candlesticks to the circles…
I want to again mention that the epoxy has the consistency of a hot glue, only it sets in about 5 minutes which gives you more play time and it is a very permanent hold… this has become a very favorite product of ours!
Just added a bit to the circle…
And added the candlestick.
While those were drying I went to cut my 2×6.  I measured it off every 8 inches.
I then used my $12 Stanley hand saw I purchased at Lowe’s to cut the wood.  This tool is a must for small jobs and if you do not own a power saw.
This is what my 3 pieces looked like…
Now it was time to attach my wood pieces to the sticks.
I used my Gorilla Glue Epoxy once again to attach them.
Just added some epoxy to the top of the stick and then placed the wood on top.  I stole my next idea from the Gorilla Glue Girls who used Gorilla Tape to clamp things together until they dried.
So I did just that…
Not too shanty, right??!
After those dried I added my wood finials.  I found these at Lowe’s.
Just added some GG Epoxy…
And put them on the top of my wood plaques.
Now it was time for paint… I used American Accents Canyon Black spray paint on these babies.  Once it dried I used my 3M block sander with 80 grit paper to shanty my edges up a bit.
This is where I learned the importance of wearing safety gloves.  This lovely ended up about an inch into my thumb while sanding…
So after getting a bandaid I started on my next step… I cut burlap into three 4×6 pieces…
I used my Elmer’s Spray Adhesive to attach them to the wood.  I just sprayed some on one side of the burlap and placed it on the wood.  I then used decorative furniture nails on each corner to give it an even cuter look…
They all looked like this at that point…
Stencil time… I used my Cricut Personal Cutter to cut out each letter.  I used black acrylic paint and my stenciling brush to get the letter on the burlap.
Added a little twine and a few jingle bells because I could…
And now time for the reveal….
So… what do you think??!  I love them!
I made all three for under $12.  Now that is a thrifty gift!! These would make great teacher gifts and you can use any word which makes them decor you can use in any season… can’t beat that!
~Whitney

 

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132 Comments

  1. sO FAR my fav. wood project you have done. I love the jingle bells hanging from twine too. SUPER CUTE! I need a HOBBY LOBBY HERE. Michaels doesn't carry the variety you all seem to get. ;(

  2. ok girls! i love them! along with yesterdays post! you girls are just so crafty! i am so glad i am a follower so i can copy! thanks!

  3. HOW do you come up with this stuff? I love it. Just for the record, you could have linked up every. single. post. from your blog! Thank you for joining!!

  4. I just clicked over from someone else's blog when I saw the photo. These are AWESOME! You're so talented! so super cute!

  5. Love it! So cool. I think if I do it, I might add a little color, my house has plenty of tan and black! lol Thanks for the great how-to.
    Linda

  6. I just found your site and I love it! Thanks for the great idea. Its one I want to try. I haven't done anything like it before! Thanks!

  7. WOW, WOW, WOW!! Your project turned out GORGEOUS!! Your tutorial was fantastic. Thank you *so* much for sharing. =)

    Liz

  8. These are awesome Whitney. Love the jingle bell touch :O)
    I'm hosting a 'made it with what I had' party on the 16th, and would love to have you join.

    peace.

  9. You are killing me!!! I think these are so cute and I can't wait to try them!! Thank you…they look great!

  10. I love them! What a great idea {except for the splinter part}! The problem is that I may make them and keep them!