Marquee Sign

Welcome.  I've been busy.  Busy crafting.  I've painted and distressed more clothes pins for message clips.  I've started working on more magnetic monograms.  And a few marquee signs.  Yep, marquee signs.  No, these won't be for sale.  I am planning on having them in my booth for the craft fairs, to get peoples attention and hopefully they stop by my booth {smile}.

So, I'm sure you won't be surprised when I show you my shabby chic marquee sign.  Here it is:

The marquee letters and symbols come white and blank.  That way, you can 'decorate' them anyway you want!  Paint, paper, tape, glitter, whatever your little artist heart wants.  I think that's pretty fabulous!   

So, I started with a super pale pink chalk paint.  (love chalk paint!)  Two coats.  The texture of this paint is soft, and rustic at the same time.

I cut my pattern paper just inside the lines of my template.  That way, the paper didn't fit perfectly inside.  I wanted a little bit of a border.  I used pattern paper from Tilda.  Love the 'faded' print.

And then, before the final assembly, I added silver leaf, randomly.  I wanted the marquee sign to look old, weathered, and worn.  As if someone painted over the metal, and over time, the metal has started to peek through.  Now, my distressing technique isn't perfect, and I probably should have used an additional color, but I am happy with it.  

I sealed the silver leaf to the paint, added the lights and bulbs, and viola!  Oh, and the best part is that it's battery operated!  No outlets needed to have a little 'light' in my booth, at this year's holiday arts and craft fairs.  My booth has white table cloths with burlap over lays, and the display pieces are either white or silver mercury glass.  So, I think this little gem will look right at home!

Thank you for stopping by and having a look.  I'll get more photos of projects soon.  It's easiest to photograph during the weekend.  {smile}