Did you know that the pineapple is a symbol of hospitality? What could be better than a beautiful pineapple welcome sign to greet your guests. You may have seen one or two in your travels, but I’d like to show you how to make one for just a few dollars. Wouldn’t this make a great house warming gift?
How to Make a Pineapple Welcome Sign
But why the pineapple? From what I can tell it looks like it all started with Christopher Columbus. He brought back this delicious fruit from the West Indies. Before you know it, everyone wanted to have a pineapple to serve to their guests, and since they were hard to grow in Europe, they became a great status symbol. Anyone invited to a party with a pineapple meant a great expense went into the preparation, and so the guests felt especially honored.
Another story tells of a tale about American sea traders, who would promptly display a pineapple on a spear in front of their home, designating a safe return, and inviting everyone to visit.
Today you see this pretty symbol everywhere in hotels, inns and home decor.
You can easily make your own pineapple welcome sign for just a few dollars. I picked up this wall hanging at a local Goodwill for $3.99. This is going to be the base of the sign.
It has a pretty black and gold edge, so I made sure that I covered it with painters tape before spray painting the entire front image black.
Then I printed out an image of a pineapple (see below), and a separate page with the word “welcome.” I wish I could simply paint the pineapple or even the letters freehand, but that is not a talent I possess. Instead I traced the image on first, and filled it in with paint.
To trace the image onto the now black painting, simply rub white chalk all over the back of the image.
Then tape your image and title in place to prevent it from moving.
Trace on top of the image with a pencil, pressing firmly.
Peel off the tape to reveal the same image in chalk. Now all you have to do is paint inside the lines. I used a metallic craft paint in gold, and some green for the leaves.
Once the paint dries you can easily remove any excess chalk with a damp paper towel.
I also trimmed the edge in gold, and added a few lines in the leaves with a thin black sharpie.
This pineapple welcome sign looks great in my foyer, where my guests will see it as soon as they enter. As you can see, it’s keeping company with a resin pineapple and a candle snuffer on the console.
To print out the images simply right click and choose “Save As,”
and save them to your desktop. Then import into a Word doc
or other program and print them out to the size you like.
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Carole @ Garden Up Green says
This is so neat and enjoyed reading how the pineapple became a symbol of hospitality. It’s a wonderful fruit and I love it in the summer because it helps with restoring electrolytes. The stencil transfer is awesome -I’m going to have to try this in the very near future.
Patti Estep says
Hi Carole,
I know that you are a sign lover and could certainly put your own mark on a project like this, and it’s always fun for me when they have a special meaning.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!
Patti
Karen says
This is such a fun project, Patti. Your transfer technique is brilliant and I’m certainly going to give that a try!
I love pineapples and didn’t know how neat their history was in our country. A fun project AND history lesson – awesome!
Patti Estep says
Hi Karen,
I’m glad you like the Pineapple Welcome sign projects. Those old school techniques like the chalk transfer are making a big comeback. Regarding the pineapple symbolism. I knew that is was a symbol of hospitality but it wasn’t until I did some research that I found out just why it was. The wonderful power of the internet.
Thanks for stopping by,
Patti
Claire Armstrong says
I just love pineapple crafts and I love this. Thanks for the printable I will be putting a great big pineapple on my kitchen chalkboard.
creativejewishmom/sara says
I just love it Patti, a really great take on the pineapple trend, and looks fantastic in your home! thanks so much for sharing on craft schooling Sunday!
Janet Vinyard says
Hi Patti, What a nice pineapple Welcome sign! You did a great job! The finished project came out so well! Thanks for sharing! Blessings, Janet
Marie says
Your sign is gorgeous! I love thrift store makeovers! Thanks for sharing the printables for this design. Definitely going to make one for our home.
Lori says
Love this sign! My daughter would love it even more!
Would you consider sharing them at our weekly Dishing It & Digging It Link Party? We are live every Sunday @ 4pm.
http://www.thestonybrookhouse.com/2016/10/dishing-it-digging-it-link-party-120.html
Patti Estep says
Yes. I would love to share them. I’ll mark it on my calendar.
Patti
Victoria @DazzleWhileFrazzled says
What a great tutorial. I never would’ve thought of using chalk to trace before painting. So thanks for the nifty tip! Visiting from Create Link Inspire party.
Beverly says
I love this! I live in Charleston and you can find pineapple decor in almost every home and lots of the businesses here. Your DIY Pineapple Welcome Sign is lovely. Thanks for sharing this at Snickerdoodle. I’ll be featuring this at tomorrow’s party. Hope to see you there!
[email protected] says
Great tutorial. I am an old Colonial Williamsburg fan so I did know about the pineapple. Thank you so much for sharing at Snickerdoodle.
Julie says
I love this, the black and gold look great together.
Kayleigh | Whisks & Wooden Spoons says
So pretty! What a great diy!
fabiola says
Patti…
Your beautifu pineapple welcome sign, is going to be feature at tomorrow link pty http://www.fabifabu.com/2016/10/30/inspiration-galore-project-party-10-2/ Thank’s for sharing, hope to see there!!
Patti Estep says
Thanks for featuring my Pineapple Sign.
I hope your readers enjoy it.
Patti
The Rambler says
Pineapple always makes me think of home (Hawaii). When in Charleston, SC this past summer, pineapples where on a ton of different decor things and I asked what the significance was for them. A shopkeeper had said (not to quote her..hahaha) but back in the day, when ship would come home, the captains wife would spike a pineapple on the front fence to indicate the ship was home =) A romantic story for sure =) Love the tutorial. I might be able to pull this one off. #sitsblogging.
Debrashoppeno5 says
I love this idea as a gift for a new homeowner or even for a special friend. Thanks for sharing.
Patti Estep says
Hi Debra,
I’m so glad you like the welcome sign. I’m a big fan of pineapples. They make a space feel good somehow.
Have a great week and thanks for stopping by,
Patti