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    Home » Christmas Decorations

    A Merry and Bright Christmas Sign to Craft this Holiday Season

    by Patti Estep · Nov 23, 2020

    Jump to How-to Card
    Stacked images. Top has printed sign over painted canvas. Bottom shows the transferred printed words filled in with white paint.

    This DIY Christmas sign is simple to create and makes a great statement for your mantel or any wall in your home. A great way to bring Christmas cheer for all to see.

    Decorated DIY Christmas sign on a decorated fireplace mantle. It's a large red sign with white letters saying, "Merry & Bright" above greens and pinecones.

    The mantel in our family room is my favorite part of the home to decorate for Christmas. It's probably because that's where we spend all of our time.

    Last year we had a very snowy and white Christmas mantel. This year I wanted to create a sign using a bright red color. I thought about actually using planks of wood for this sign but then it would be quite heavy to hang. So when I saw an empty canvas in my supplies I thought maybe I could create the look of a wood sign with paint.

    A plain white canvas, paint brushes, water in a bowl, a plate with red and black paint and a small paint can.

    DIY "Merry & Bright" Christmas Sign

    This is a new canvas about 18 x 24 inches, however, you can make the sign any size you'd like. You just may have to play around with printing the Merry & Bright image to fit.

    18 x 24 canvas painted red.

    I started by using a basic red craft paint and completely covered the canvas.

    A red painted canvas in a landscape view with a piece of plexiglass lying on top cover 2/3 of the top and a dark line drawn at the bottom.

    Next I used a piece of plexiglas I had lying around to help create two lines with black paint cutting the canvas into thirds. This makes the canvas look like three pieces of wood. You can use any long straight edge that you have. A long ruler or even a piece of cardboard will work. You could also use a black sharpie instead of paint.

    A red canvas with dark edges and two darker lines through 1/3 sections landscape.

    Next, I played around with black paint and red paint to give the canvas an older worn vintage-like look. Keep the darker shading to the outer portion of the canvas. Use water to help with blending and also try dry brushing a little to get the effect you want.

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    An image with the words Merry & Bright spelled out to print out and use.
    Click on image for a PDF you can print out.

    Here is the graphic I used for the sign. You could use any saying you want but feel free to click on this one to print out for yourself. If you end up using the same size canvas, go into adobe reader, and when you come to the print panel choose the poster option at 200% and .25 overlap to get a four sheet sign that will fit the canvas.

    Four pieces of computer paper with the words Merry & Bright spelled out and taped together.

    Here's what it will look like. Use some tape to put it all together.

    The back of four pages with the words Merry & Bright with white chalk rubbed over the letters.

    Next, take ordinary white chalk and rub it all over the back of the printed image.

    A large computer print out on four pages with the words Merry & Bright on top of a red painted canvas.

    Center it on the canvas and trace over the letters with a sharp pencil.
    Note: You may need to place some books underneath to help trace the image onto the canvas.

    A red painted canvas with the words Merry & Bright traced on top.

    Now you have a cute saying on your canvas. All you have to do is fill it in.

    Merry and Bright in white chalk paint on a red canvas.

    I used a white chalk pen/marker. However, you could easily use white craft paint and a paintbrush. Afterward, I used more red paint to touch up any mistakes.

    Sawtooth hanger on back of canvas.

    Add a hanger onto the back. I like these easy sawtooth hangers but you can use whatever you like.

    Red and white Merry & Bright DIY Christmas sign with artificial cedar hanging on the upper left corner.

    Here it is in all its glory. Some faux cedar branches are tied on to the hanger using floral wire. Stop back later this week to see the entire mantel all Merry and Bright for Christmas.

    A red and white sign saying Merry & Bright hung about a wood mantel with greenery and pine cones.
    Merry and bright red sign with white letter on mantel with greenery on the top left corner
    Print

    Merry and Bright Christmas Sign

    This DIY Christmas sign is simple to create and makes a great statement for your mantel or any wall in your home bringing Christmas cheer to all who enter.
    Active Time1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
    Total Time1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
    Course: Christmas Decorations
    Yield: 1
    Author: Patti Estep
    Cost: $10

    Equipment

    • Computer
    • Printer
    • pencil
    • Tape
    • Large flat edge or ruler

    Materials

    • 18 x 24 inch blank canvas
    • Red craft paint
    • Black craft paint
    • White chalk pen

    Instructions

    • Paint your canvas with red paint all over.
    • Use something with a nice straight edge to divide the canvas into three sections and lightly paint the edge with black paint creating a look of 3 wood boards.
    • Use more red and black paint to add to the edges, blending well to create an aged look. Allow to dry.
    • Print out the image "Merry & Bright" onto 4 sheets of paper using Adobe Reader and choosing the poster option at 250%.
    • Tape the pages together.
    • Rub white chalk over the letters on the backside.
    • Place the merry & bright sign on top of the red canvas and trace over the letter with a pencil.
    • Fill in the tracing with a white chalk pen.
    • Add a picture hanger to the back for hanging.
    Tried this project?Tag @hearthnvine on Instagram
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    About Patti Estep

    Patti is the creator of Hearth and Vine, a home and garden blog filled with projects to inspire your creative side. She loves crafting, gardening, decorating and entertaining at her home in Pennsylvania. When she is not working on a project at home or searching for treasures at nurseries and thrift stores with her girlfriends, you’ll probably find her with family and friends, at a restaurant, or home party enjoying new and different food adventures.

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    Stacked images. Top has printed sign over painted canvas. Bottom shows the transferred printed words filled in with white paint.
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    I'm Patti

    Join me to create lots of fun DIY projects, including crafts, gardening, home decor, and tasty recipes

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