Back in February, I made a super inexpensive and large piece of pallet art for Valentine’s Day. Since the colors were in the scheme of my current living room pallet I have left it up all year round. I decided to tackle the project again and give it a little Thanksgiving spin with the words “Be Grateful.” {I know I skipped right over Halloween and onto Thanksgiving. HA!} I never want to be limited by the holiday decor so I made it without any leaves or autumn colors. This project is really easy and cost less than $10!
or if you don’t want to build one and want to make a mini “Be Grateful” pallet art from a prefabbed pallet check out this post.
1. After it was built, I gave it a quick coat of pre-wood conditioner. Then I stained this one a little darker than the LOVE Pallet art and used Minwax Special Walnut. I think it is my new fave.
2. I let that dry overnight, then I cut out the “Be Grateful” out of contact paper with my Silhouette Cameo machine (just make sure you set the cut depth to 7 on the actual settings).
If you are interested in the file I made it available for you. I transferred the contact paper to the wood pallet art and then pressed it down really hard to allow it to stick well.
Tip: Since it is a large surface area you will have to piece the design together since you can only cut a width of 12” on the Cameo machine.
3. Then I used some Silver Metallic Martha Stewart craft paint I had in my stash as well as a Martha Stewart pouncer brush and just pounced the paint on. While it was still wet I removed the contact paper to reveal perfectly stenciled words.
I followed that up with some sandpaper on the edges of each of the wood slats to distress it a little.
Simple and easy (if you aren’t afraid of a miter saw) Thanksgiving art that can be used year round. Cuz that’s how I roll.
Other projects in the above picture: painted striped curtains, ombre painted lamp.
I love it! It is so simple and classy looking. Great for year round. And I LOVE your wreath on chalkboard with the message! That vignette is wonderful 🙂 I had a little mix up (order wise) and ended up with THREE 16″ preserved boxwood wreaths–DARN! I am obsessed with preserved boxwood. I get the basic beauties from Restoration Hardware, the wreaths from Decor Steals, and some new ones from Brookstone–who would have thought (Brookstone)! I should have got that darned blackboard from Antique Farmhouse for one of my wreaths but I picture that vignette in my mudroom…which we don’t have-HA! I can see this project in my “mudroom” also–darn!
Ha! Sounds like you need a mudroom. 😉
Looks great! Any suggestions for making the stencil without the Silhouette Cameo machine?
Thanks
Jen
I love this more than you know!!! I had a problem with transferring my contact paper to my wood. What did you use for that? Thanks
Did you use transfer paper?
Beckie that’s a winner. Love the repurpose and the new saying.
Thanks, Jaime! It’s more a repurposed idea since I did build a new frame. I’m loving the change for fall though.
Love your new art Beckie! It looks fabulous!
I cut contact paper every single day to use as stencils (Etsy shop) I set my depth to 3. I have found that some contact paper is different than others. If I set my depth to 7, it would cut clean through the paper backing.
pinning!
gail
Thanks, Gail! Yes, I have had that happen on occasion too. Thankfully contact paper is cheap!
Love love love this, Beckie!
Thank you!!!
So perfect for Thanksgiving . . . and year round! Love it!
Definitely! That’s what I love about it!
I love, love, love this project-gorgeous!!!!
Thank you, Melissa!
I am not one to love all things pallet related, but I love this one. Maybe it’s the gorgeous font, or the color of the wood stain, but it’s gorgeous.
Thank you, Eliesa! That’s quite the compliment.
Oooh, I love this project, Beckie. I’m usually too lazy to change decor around the seasons, so this would be the perfect compromise. And thank you for the file- I will be giving this a try! 🙂
I am not much for changing decor for the seasons either, so this is right up my alley. It’s meaningful for a season but can also stay up if you want.
I love it, Becky! I have a slew of old deck boards that I want to make a ‘pallet art’ sign with. This is awesome and I’ve downloaded the stencil. Thank you so much! I just bought the Cameo and can’t wait to start playing with it.
Debbie 🙂
You are going to love the Cameo, and those deck boards will be perfect. I’ve used some for several projects.
Soooooo cute! Love it! What font did you use? I have a Cricut so I need to recreate it. Thanks!
It’s called Great Vibes. So glad you like it!
Love it Becky!
Thank you, Maryann! 🙂
Do you mind sharing the font that you used or a word doc? I can’t open the document that you shared and would love to make this.
Sure, it’s Great Vibes.
I also couldn’t open the file. Also what would be the best way to make this type of stencil if we don’t have one of those fancy cutters? I keep wanting one but haven’t taken the plunge.
Take the plunge 😉 The font is Great Vibes. You can have Laura from Sayinonthewall.com design it for you.
I cant open it either…any advice? Can you email it as an attachment to me? strawberrysh@hotmail.com
You have to have Silhouette Studio to open the file. Do you have a Silhouette machine?
I dont….anyway I can just print it on regular paper and make a stencil??
You won’t be able to open the file since it’s a Silhouette Studio file. You could definitely recreate it though in another program to create your stencil though.
Great Vibes is the font
This is beautiful – I love it! Maybe someday I get up the courage to use a saw and really get into one of your projects. I love the inspiration! The soft elegant text on the wood makes for really nice contrast.
I am so glad you like it. You should definitely give it a try!
I love the signs, @Shalee I have used the contact paper method for stenciling. Another method that can be done is using a charcoal pencil. After printing the words in whatever font you choose, you can have it enlarged at Office Max etc, for less than a dollar at most. Trace the backside of your lettering with charcoal pencil, tape onto your wood face up and outline each letter. Once you remove your pattern you have the perfect outline of each letter. You can then paint free hand. I saw this on Pinterest and wish I could remember the blogger so credit can be given. I have done numerous signs in this manner. Hope I didn’t confuse anyone.
Thanks, Dee, for sharing a tip for those who don’t have a Silhouette.
How do you get the big BeGrateful” on your silhouette…I cant find it in the manual
I cut it out in multiple pieces. Hope that helps!
Hello! I would LOVE to do this project but I don’t have a silhoutte. Would it be possible to buy the stencil from you?
I am sorry I don’t make anything to sell; however, Laura from Say It on the Wall would love to do that for you. You can contact her at laura@sayitonthewall.com. Please let me know how it comes out! 🙂
I ADORE this! Thank you for sharing! I can’t wait to make this 🙂
I’d love to know how it comes out, Melinda!
Sorry to be dumb but what is pre-wood conditioner? Nothing pulls up on Lowe’s when I search it and I don’t see an image on either post to figure it out. Please help 🙂
No problem, Melinda! Here it is from Lowe’s: http://www.lowes.com/pd_46575-24-61500444_0__?productId=3098897. You use it on soft woods like pine to get a more even stained finish and prevent streaking and blotching.
What contact paper are you referencing for this project? I saw that in some of your other projects you mentioned the vinyl and that this did not stick. I am just curious what contact paper you used. Can you send me the link where you purchased?
Quick question – I just got a cameo and i was wondering how you load the contact paper and do you have to adjust the rollers for the project? I ruined a whole role of stencil paper today.
Are you using the mat, Makaela?
Could you please give the finished size of your BE GRATEFUL project? Thank you.
It is 28″ x 32″. I followed these instructions to build the “pallet.” Hope that helps!
Hi! I know this was posted some time ago so not sure if you are still answering questions on this post, but I love this and am going to try to make it. I am new to my silhouette so sorry if this is a beginner question. I downloaded your file. Do I need to stretch it to make it big for the pallet or does it already print on multiple pages? Thanks!
Hi I want to do this but I need to know which cameo machine I need and with what accessories?
Hi Shelley, You will need the Silhouette Cameo machine and vinyl. You can get a deal on the machine tonight starting at midnight MST. If you use the code “IHEARTIC” and purchase one of the bundles, I am offering a one hour class to learn the software. I hope that helps, and please let me know if you have any more questions.
Wow! Didn’t realize that the sign I bought last year from Hobby Lobby was ripped off from you! ???? I hate that!! I’ll link to your sign to let people know they can use your tutorial to make their own.