Reclaimed Wood Christmas Gifts

I love using reclaimed wood and old fence boards for artwork.  I've used them for lots of projects like these:

Fence Board Art

Wooden Garden Signs

And more here (with a tutorial)

I wanted to make small pieces of art to give as gifts this Christmas.  I started with these fence boards that I cut to 5.5" in length.  Using my sander, I smoothed the edges.

While I do like Annie Sloan Chalk Paint for furniture, I prefer Rustoleum's Chalked for other projects.  It's much less expensive and still gives the chalk paint look and effect.  I gave these pieces a watered down wash of the white chalk paint.

I leave a lot of the wood showing to give it a more natural, weathered look.  While this is drying, you can get your quotes, words, etc. ready to apply.

The words are printed on tissue paper (see tutorial link above) and then I tear the edges.  I've changed up my 'mix' from time to time but basically I use a combination of Mod Podge, Gesso and water.  The Gesso is white so it helps the tissue blend in better with the wood BUT, it also means the letters are hidden more as shown above.  

Using a clean piece of towel, immediately blot over the letters to make them stand out again.

Here you see the progression.  After this dries, I use my sander to remove even more of the paint and tissue, blending it so the edges of the tissue 'disappear'.

I like to give a wash of paint to the backs and for these I attached picture hangers.

Each one comes out looking slightly different and unique.  These snippets of Christmas songs make nice, short quotes for these tiny boards.

May you feel that "thrill of hope" as we celebrate the coming of our Savior in coming weeks!