Yesterday I shared with you how I took our extra large pallet in our living room and decided to update it with a new coat of whitewashing. I love the look of whitewashing. It makes the wood feel aged, but still clean and simple. Today I am so excited to share with you how I took the pallet and turned it into a piece of art for our home.
To begin I first had to decide what pattern I wanted on my pallet. There are so many choices. Do I want a detailed picture? A simple pattern? Or do I want to write a phrase on my pallet? Last year I created a pallet with a lace pattern and a cute little girls name. For this pallet I decided to go with a wreath and started looking online for free designs. I came across this set of free graphic design laurel wreaths, and loved them all! After downloading them I settled on the wreath that looks as if it is made of two feathers.
If you want a specific phrase you can always type your own in a word document to project onto your pallet. There are lots of fabulous, and free, fonts out there for you to create a one of a kind quote! You can look at my Pinterest board for some great fonts to download.
Next I needed to project my design up onto the pallet. There are two ways to do this. If you have a small portable projector you can hook up to your computer you can use that to project the design onto the pallet. Check with friends, your local church and even your library. You may be surprised at how easy it is to find one.
I projected mine with a good old fashioned overhead projector. {School teacher for the win!} I scored this projector at a local sale for our school district for a whopping $5. To use an overhead projector you will need to print your design off onto transparency paper. Make sure you enlargen the design when you print it so that it is about the size of your paper. You can find transparency paper on Amazon.
Once you have your image projected onto your pallet you get to begin the fun of hand painting on your design. My pallet is large so it took me about an hour and a half to paint the feather wreath. I simply used craft paint and a cheap paintbrush from the craft section. Trust me, you do not have to be an amazing painter to create your own pallet art. I do not have a steady hand. And I don't know if I would even have the patience to create something like this totally on my own. But this is basically tracing, and I can handle that!
So now the question is, are you going to give it a try? I know you can pull it off! And if you have any questions along the way I would love to help you out. Feel free to ask in the comments section, email, or on social media!
Happy DIYing friends,
Miss Mandee says
Wow, that turned out amazing!!! I’m so glad you like my designs—what a creative way to use them! ^_^
Becky says
Thanks so much Mandee! Love your graphic design work! xo
Katie @ On the Banks of Squaw Creek says
Gorgeous! But I think it needs something right in the middle. A big, fancy D. Or a deer head. Or something. 🙂
Debra May Gallagher says
I just wish to thank you for sharing your project and knowledge. I hope to whitewash SOMETHING in my living room. Right now there are more dark oak pieces than anything light. I have a coastal themed decor that I have NEVER been able to finish!
Becky says
You are so welcome! I hope it helps, and feel free to ask if you have any questions. The whitewashing would look awesome with a coastal theme. Can’t wait to hear back from you about what you decide to whitewash first!
Katrin says
I love this!!! It looks amazing!!! Love the feather wreath!!!
Becky says
Thanks! Me too 🙂
Whitney Shortt says
I love how this turned out and the idea of using a projector! That is now on my NEEDS list 😉
Becky says
Yay! Glad you loved it!
Christine says
Absolutely beautiful! Pinned!