I’ve had paint “fever” lately. Some weeks I want to do nothing but repurpose old book pages, some weeks I just want to fuss around with old metal junk, and other weeks, I want to paint everything in sight. Fortunately, I have a fairly good stock of salvaged wood to work with, so I sorted through my supply, and spotted a side rail from an old bed. That would do nicely for a painted sign.
I had just received a fun package full of Fusion Mineral Paint, and other products from Jennylyn at Homestead House (producers of Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint), and I was itching to try it out.
I painted the board with “Renefrew Blue”, and to be honest, I wasn’t sure I was going to like it. It’s a beautiful color, but it was a little bit of a different color than I expected, but I know that with mineral paint, the way the color looks when it’s freshly painted, usually isn’t the same way it looks once you’ve finished working with it, so I continued on.
I always look through my antique advertisement graphics for inspiration for signs, and spotted an old receipt from the Clover Farm Store. These stores were abundant in Illinois, especially around the time of the Depression. I liked the name, so I cut a stencil from adhesive shelf paper, and adhered it to my board when it was dry.
I used Fusion’s color “Bedford” for the lettering and the border.
For the border, I just stuck some painter’s tape about 1/4″ away from the edge and painted from the tape to the edge of the board.
It was looking great, but needed distressing so it wouldn’t look too new. I sanded over the whole sign with rough grit sandpaper, because I wanted the surface roughed up a little for the next step. I did a little extra sanding on the edges and corners.
Now, it was time to make it look old. I waxed the sign, then used a brush to apply antiquing powder (color – Roasted Chestnut), while the wax was still fresh. I applied the powder more heavily in some areas than others, so it would look authentically aged. I put more wax on a paper towel, and wiped away some of the powder. It stays in those tiny grooves created by sanding, and just gives a nice general aged look to the rest of the painted areas.
Once I buffed the wax, it was done, and I was in love with Renfrew Blue! You will be seeing more of this color in the near future, because as soon as I had the sign finished, I went and grabbed another old board and painted it the same color. That’s a project you’ll see another day though – hopefully later this week, if I get it all finished.
Thanks so much to Jennylyn at Fusion Mineral Paint for allowing me to try their products. You can see all the colors they offer in their line here. They have other products, like the round bristle brushes that was absolutely wonderful to use. I’m a cheapo when it comes to paint brushes, and almost always just use a chip brush, but now I can see why people love the round bristle brushes. I haven’t tried the Tough Coat she sent yet, but I plan to soon, as well as some of the other products that were in my box. I’m sure I’ll be sharing more about them in the future.
By the way, in case you missed it this morning, I shared some adorable Santa’s sleigh printables, I think you’ll love! You’ll find them HERE.
Your sign turned out beautifully, Angie! I’ve really been into sign painting lately, too…it’s always a fun project!
wow, I am so excited to have found your site. I belong to an Altered Artist Group and I am anxious to tell them about you. You have introduced me to several new things….the Fusion Mineral Paints….which I never heard of before and my curiosity is piqued by how you were able to cut the words for the sign so beautifully for a stencil. Could you explain the process, please?
I love the sign! It turned out so nice, Angie! Do you recall what font that is? I really like it! Thanks for sharing! Blessings from Bama!
I always love your signs and this is another winner!
LOVE that color! Very cute sign, the antiquing looks great! As always, I find such inspiration in your projects 🙂 thanks for sharing!!
I love the look of your ‘old’ sign. How do you usually cut your stencils?
Hmmmm, I used that color on a picture frame to test it, I waxed it and then later went to buff and it wiped all the wax off as if the paint didn’t absorb any of the wax. I thought well because it isn’t chalk paint that is why??? Any thoughts. The frame I used was previously painted before the Renfrew was added. Any help would be great…
Linda, it sounds to me like it was either a problem with the frame and the previous paint, or the wax that you used. This was the first time I’ve used Fusion Paint, but it waxed beautifully for me, with the same results I’ve had with other chalk and mineral paints.