The Shabby Creek Cottage

Hundreds of ideas for creative ways to eat, make & decorate!

Easy DIY wooden letters

Wooden letters are so easy to make. And is there anything more farmhouse? It’s a great way to add your personal stamp onto a space with monograms or even words – something that really reflects you and your family. They can be kind of pricey – but they are super easy to make. Want to DIY some wooden letters? Let’s do it!
I love wooden letters - and they are so easy to make. Definitely DIYing this one!

HOW TO MAKE WOODEN LETTERS

Easy way to make wooden letters.
Luckily, our last name starts with the letter “L.” So that’s where we started making wooden letters. Straight lines, no curves — just what I need! I began by taking another scrap of 1×12, straight out of the pile. Next I made my pattern (no measuring needed) by using another piece of wood and a speed square (the triangle with the lip makes straight lines so easy.) But if you have a different letter, either sketch it out or you can use a print out from a computer as a pattern.

Cheap and easy way to make wooden letters

To save time, I used the table saw to make the straight lines until I got within about 3 or 4 inches of the inside corner on both sides.

simple way to make wooden letters

Using the jigsaw, I continued cutting into the corner. Just keep it level and guide it slowly — don’t push. Let it do the work. DIY wooden letters - so easy and so pretty!

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Once you’re all cut out, then sand away! Make everything smooth, including the front & back, so the paint goes on all pretty and the edges aren’t rough. DIY wooden letters | The Shabby Creek Cottage
Next came the layers of paint. First black spray paint….

Love these DIY wooden letters!

Then ivory spray paint…. just one coat so a little black shows through.

Great way to make wooden letters

Then lots of that creamy tan, brushed on, then smoothed around with a little water. All the layers start to peek through, working together in unison.
 Last, but certainly not least, raw umber acrylic paint. Thin it out with water, then rub it on gently with your fingers in long strokes. The magic? It makes anything “age” about 20 years in about 2 minutes. Oh, and it’s dirt cheap — about $2 for a huge tube at the craft store {which will do about a gazillion projects.}

easy wooden letters tutorial

 Just a simple project, but wood letters are

easy DIY wooden letters - a great tutorial

Now that you know how, you’ll be making wooden letters galore… because they’re pretty and just so easy!

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Comments

  3. Your L is so great! Being an L girl I’ve always thought of my LAK being very boring!!! How cool you picked up it’s easy!!
    Love your L it’s great!!
    Hugs, Lisa

    Reply

  8. I’d have to do a lot of sanding on my letter, I’m a “C” LOL Your L looks great. and because of you (and the chalkboard party) I found Olivia Rue and I’m totally in love with that blog. Thank you.

    Kristin

    Reply

  10. I Like It!! In fact, I linked up to show a similar project that I did a few weeks ago. I think I like the simplicity of your look better though. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  11. I LOVE that! B is so hard to find. And I have never sawed anything. I guess I need to put on my big girl panties and try it. BUt, B….I think it might be hard.
    I LOVE the layers! LOve the look. And love the birdies!
    Thanks for being a part of Thrifty Thursday, my friend!
    Well done!
    Leigh
    Tales from Bloggeritaville
    lbratina.blogspot.com

    Reply

  12. Great idea and I love how it turned out. Love the aged look. We are an “H” family. That wouldn’t be too hard. Now, just to find a saw.

    Reply

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