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DIY Thanksgiving Sign Makes for a Merry Feast

Use the provided printables to make this festive DIY Thanksgiving sign – welcome your guest in style or use it for pretty mantel decor.

DIY Thanksgiving Sign Makes for a Merry Feast

I really do love Thanksgiving. Kind of the perfect holiday to me and I have so many great memories associated with the big dinner (and the prep for it).

I wanted to come up with a project that reflected that and when my friend Geralyn found the perfect Shakespeare quote it all came together.

“Small Cheer and Great Welcome Make a Merry Feast.” Isn’t that just spot on? It’s from The Comedy of Errors and, to me that perfectly sums up my favorite holiday.

So I got to work and designed the background and text and then applied it to some scrap lumber to create a cool sign! Here’s what I did to make this Thanksgiving craft.

Merry Feast Thanksgiving Sign

For this project I used:

Thanksgiving sign supplies
  • Scrap ½” plywood cut to 10.5” long by 3” high panels
  • Two scrap pieces of wood for connecting the panels – cut to 11.5” long
  • Matte Mod Podge
  • Wood Stain
  • Screws – 8
  • A print out of the text – you can download HERE

I used some tools as well that are very helpful but also optional:

Tools
  • Drill (and appropriate drill bits)
  • Sandpaper
  • Two new (to me) applicators from the makers of Mod Podge:
    • Brush Applicator
    • Rolling Applicator
  • Scissors

To get started, stain the edges of the wood panels and just a little bit of the front side. After the stain dries, sand them lightly.

Stain and Sand

Apply the Mod Podge using the rolling applicator. This was a new tool for me personally, and I must say it worked really well. It made application smooth and easy to control (and cleaning it up was easy too). You can also use a brush, but this is really easy!

Apply Mod Podge

Lay down the graphics on the Thanksgiving sign, smoothing out the air bubbles as you go.

After giving it a bit of time to dry,give the edges of the paper a light sanding just to give it a bit of character (this step is totally optional).

Sand Edges

Flip all the panels over, line them up and screw on the scrap wood connectors.

(Tip: make sure the panels are in the right order or you’ll have to take the whole Thanksgiving sign apart and try again. Don’t ask me how I know this . . . )

Attach Rails

Flip the sign back over and seal the front with Mod Podge. Apply a full coat, let dry for 15 – 20 minutes, and then repeat with a second coat.

For that I used the Brush Applicator, which worked like a dream for laying the Mod Podge over a large surface smoothly and cleanly. I think it may be a new favorite of mine!!

Seal

And I was done. Let dry for 12 hours before hanging or displaying.

Make a Thanksgiving wood sign with Mod Podge and a free printable

Now all I need is some turkey! . . . and someone to cook it.

Easy DIY Thankful sign

Your DIY Thanksgiving sign is complete. Happy holidays! Some notes in this project:

  • If you want to do your own thing, the backgrounds alone without the text are HERE.
  • If you don’t want to use a drill and screws, a hot glue gun will probably work just fine as long as the boards aren’t too heavy. You could also use wood glue.
Yield: 1 sign

Thanksgiving Sign

DIY Thanksgiving Sign Makes for a Merry Feast

Learn how to make a Thanksgiving sign using pieces of wood, Mod Podge, and a free printable. Make with basic tools!

Prep Time 1 hour
Active Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Difficulty Easy
Estimated Cost $5

Materials

  • ½” plywood cut to 10.5” long by 3” high panels
  • Scrap wood - two pieces cut to 11.5” long
  • Matte Mod Podge
  • Wood stain
  • Screws - 8
  • Printable download

Tools

  • Drill and bits
  • Sandpaper
  • Brush or applicator
  • Scissors

Instructions

  1. Print out the download using a laserjet printer. Trim to fit the boards.
  2. Stain the edges of the wood panels (going around the front a little). After the stain dries, sand them lightly.
  3. Apply the Mod Podge to the wood pieces using the rolling applicator (one at a time).
  4. Lay down the graphics on the front of the wood, smoothing out the air bubbles as you go. Let dry for 15 - 20 minutes.
  5. Give the edges of the paper a light sanding just to give it a bit of character (this step is optional).
  6. Flip all the panels over, line them up and screw on the scrap wood connectors with the drill.
  7. Seal the sign front with Mod Podge. Apply a full coat, let dry for 15 - 20 minutes, and then repeat with a second coat.

Notes

If using inkjet printouts, spray with clear acrylic sealer or hairspray on both sides.

Did You Make This Project?

Please leave a rating or share a photo on Pinterest!


If you’re interested in some additional Thanksgiving decor projects, I’d like for you to check out the following posts:

Mary karas

Friday 15th of November 2013

Nice project

Heather Nash

Friday 15th of November 2013

I love this! I love everything from the saying to the colors to the size!!

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