DIY Artwork & Wall Decor DIY Projects - All John and Alice's Master Bathroom

Subway Art Style Rustic Sign

Last Updated on March 2, 2013 by Kristi Linauer

I just finished up the very last project I wanted to make for John & Alice’s master bathroom, and I’ll be ready to show you the whole before and after room transformation tomorrow!! FINALLY!!

But let me show you the final project that I worked on. I had asked Alice if she has a favorite Bible verse, so I took that and made artwork out of it.  I wanted it to be somewhere between subway art and an old rustic sign.  Here’s how it turned out…

Here are the steps I took to make this subway art/old rustic sign artwork.

I started with a scrap piece of MDF about 23 inches square, and I primed (with spray primer) and spray painted it.

Then I used letter stickers that I found in the scrapbook section at Michael’s, and I cut out the letters I needed.

I then arranged them on the MDF just to get an idea of where I wanted the line breaks, and how many lines I needed.

After I determined how many lines I needed, I used an L-square and a pencil to lightly mark the lines.

Then I began applying the stickers to the MDF, using the pencil lines as guides.

When I had all of the letters applied, I gathered my paints (the small acrylic bottles in three colors), a 1″ Purdy paint brush, a small jar with water, and a couple of paper towels.

I randomly squirted the paints onto the MDF, right over the lettering…

And then used my paint brush to brush and blend the paint.  I wanted the different colors to show, so tried to be sure not to blend too much.  First, I dipped my brush into the water, blotted it out just a bit, and then ran it over the paint.  The water really helped the paint to spread smoothly.

I just continued to squirt paint and blend it in until I got it to look just like I wanted it.

I waited about 45 minutes for it to dry completely, and then I got a piece of 150-grit sandpaper…

And I sanded lightly right over the letters…

The very last step I did was to use a piece of paper towel, with the corner dipped into the water and then dipped into my taupe paint, and run it right over the letters.  This just toned down the bright white and make it look more worn.

Now tomorrow I’ll show you where this is going to live, when I reveal the final “before and after” of John & Alice’s master bathroom!!

Psstt…This bathroom is finished now!  Want to see the completed bathroom makeover?  Click here to see the whole before and after.

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14 Comments

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  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Samantha
    January 26, 2011 at 2:13 pm

    This is great! Looks within my ability level too. Was it hard to sand just on top of the letters?

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Kristi @ Addicted 2 Decorating
    January 26, 2011 at 2:22 pm

    Samantha, it wasn't difficult at all! Just use light pressure…and a little patience. 🙂 I actually wish I hadn't sanded mine so much. I'd like them to be more black than white, but oh well. It's done.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Patti's Peach Basket
    January 26, 2011 at 2:47 pm

    I love it. I am going to try this.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    jeannare
    January 26, 2011 at 4:21 pm

    That is such a great idea!!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Anonymous
    January 28, 2011 at 5:55 pm

    Have you ever painted a tube before??? I would like to do mine, but I have no idea what or how to do it….any suggestions???

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Kristi @ Addicted 2 Decorating
    January 28, 2011 at 6:06 pm

    Anonymous, do you mean a TUB? I've never painted a bathtub before, but I know it can be done. There are several products on the market SPECIFICALLY for painting bathtubs. I know that Home Depot carries at least one. As I recall, it's kind of expensive, but certainly costs less than having the tub resurfaced professionally.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Anonymous
    January 28, 2011 at 6:14 pm

    sorry "tub"….it has been a long day. Thanks for the info, I will check the Home Depot out. My husband says "no" but he will be going on a fishing trip soon and will be out of town for a few days…LOL. We have this wonderful newly decorated bathroom & this ugly pink tub! We don't have the money right now to replace or have the tub capped so I was hoping there was another solution.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Jen T
    January 30, 2011 at 4:07 pm

    That is so cool! I love the verse and may give this a go – thanks for the tutorial! JenT

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Jennifer~My Vintage Bliss
    January 31, 2011 at 1:08 am

    Hi I am a new follower ~ I love love love the sign! Can't wait to try this myself :0)

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Christina @ The Tattered Tag
    January 31, 2011 at 2:55 am

    I am inspired, I will definately be making one myself. A great idea and you make it look so easy. Please consider sharing this wonderful idea with others by linking to my blog bash, K.I.S.S.=Keep It Simple Sunday, the link is open til Tues. evening. Happy to be a new follower. 🙂

    http://thetatteredtag.blogspot.com

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Jennifer~My Vintage Bliss
    April 10, 2011 at 8:52 pm

    Hi I am a new follower ~ I love love love the sign! Can't wait to try this myself :0)

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    jeannare
    April 10, 2011 at 8:52 pm

    That is such a great idea!!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Patti's Peach Basket
    April 10, 2011 at 8:52 pm

    I love it. I am going to try this.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Kirsten-5
    July 12, 2011 at 6:36 pm

    Very cool! I'd love to try it with bluish and beige colors!