Rustic Plaque

I'm just getting a parcel together to send to my daughter, Taryn,  and I thought I'd make something for her.  Here it is...

It might not be "her thing", but I had fun making it!

I started with well-weathered lumber.  I cut 4 pieces 12" long.  I then cut one of the pieces in half .  These two pieces will sit at the bottom of the boards, one on the front and one on the back, as the base.

I glued all the boards together, then further secured them using an air nailer.  Once together I sanded the boards.

I made a flower pattern on paper, cut it out and traced it onto 1/4" thick mdf board.  I used my scrollsaw to cut the flower.

I then found a font on the computer which would be easy to cut out of wood.  Again, made a paper pattern, traced the letters onto 1/4" mdf and cut the letters using my scrollsaw.  Once I had all the pieces cut, I sanded them using 100 grit and then 220 grit sandpaper.

The flower center...my initial idea was to use a wood button...didn't have anything big enough.  So, I scrounged through all of my husband's scrap metal, bolts, screws, washers, etc.  This is what I found that I thought would work as a flower center.  Kinda rustic...

I placed everything on the plaque and drilled a hole (for the bolt to fit through) where the flower center would be...

I stained everything with dark walnut by Minwax.  Once dry, I painted the flower with "sandbar" and the letters with "blue mist" by Decoart.  Once dry, I lightly sanded the edges to allow the stain to be revealed, giving the pieces an aged look.

I secured everything with wood glue and inserted the flower center (the bolt) through the hole and secured it with a "nut" on the back.

 Hope she likes it!!

Taryn

Thank you for stopping by...

Lesa