I purchased the wooden signs at Jo Ann’s. You could use any signs, really, but it is important they are made from a soft wood. These ones are perfect for this project and are inexpensive. They are also the same width as a piece of paper, which makes it super easy to make a template. They did, however, come with a serious need for sanding. I used an orbit sander to smooth the wood out. It is important that the wood is smooth so that the stain and paint are easily applied.
After I sanded the wood, I stained it using Rust-Oleum Ultimate Wood Stain, which I purchased from Jo Ann’s. To stain the wood, use a soft cloth and dip it directly in the stain. You don't need much and make sure you stir it well. Gently rub the stain into the wood and wipe away any excess stain. You can add as many layers as you like to achieve the color you prefer. I did two light coats because I wanted a very weathered look.
While the stain is drying, you can make your templates for your words and pictures. Since the signs are 11" wide, I just used Word and set my page to landscape. I always set my margins to .5, all the way around. This makes it easy to run my words to the edges and fill the space all the space. Pick your font. You can use any font you would like. My favorite place to get fonts from is www.dafont.com. It's loaded with tons of styles that are free and very easy to download and install. If you do choose a font that is very tall, make sure it only takes up about half the sign height so there is room for your picture. You can always print it out and hold it up to the sign to gauge where you are at, or use the ruler setting in word.
Once you have perfected your wording, make your picture. I always find clipart through Google. Just search images for lemon, lime or orange clipart. You are looking for a drawing type picture - one that uses bold lines because you will be painting lines only, no shading. You can even narrow your search by listing black and white drawing. Once you find a picture you like, copy and paste it into word. Adjust the size as needed and print it out. There is a trick to transferring your template onto the wood. Start with the wording and use painters tape to secure it in the exact position you want it, making sure to leave enough space underneath for the picture. Use a pencil and trace the letters pressing firmly. This is why you want soft wood. The pencil will leave an impression into the wood that you can trace with your paint pen. Because the impression is not easy to see, I painted my words before I traced my pictures. This way there wasn’t a ton of hard-to-see lines I was trying to trace. I used paint pens that I purchased from Jo Ann’s. I color matched them to the fruit. It is much easier to use a paint pen for thin lines than it is to try to use a paintbrush. Make sure you choose a tip that isn't too small, but also isn't too big. I chose a medium tip. Use your paint pen to slowly follow the template impression and you should have picture-perfect lettering. Follow the same steps for your citrus pictures.
Once the paint has dried, seal your signs with a weather-proof sealer. I used Rust-Oleum Spar Urathane Spray. This is important since the signs will be in your garden and will be susceptible to the elements. Make sure you get a waterproof sealer.
Your citrus garden signs are done and ready to be added to your stash!
My stash of materials:
3 Rustic Market Signs
Rust-Oleum Ultimate Wood Stain Weathered Gray
Painters Medium Tip Paint Pens
Rust-Oleum Spar Urethane Spray, Clear
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