From:Emily Fazio Emily Fazio
Take a cue from some of the most well decorated patios, accessorize your garden fence with whimsical word art. By cutting your own letters for this custom yard decoration, you have more control over the style and design, and you'll end up with a feature that is totally stunning.
A small sheet of plywood is the perfect base for this word art installation. It's durable, easy to cut, and you can find scrap pieces from previous projects that are too small for most applications, but suitable for a variety of ABCs. I took out plywood, but if you need to buy new, choose a 2' x 2' board that is 1/4" thick.
From:Emily Fazio Emily Fazio
Use a word processor to select a font and print each letter on each page at approximately 700 points. Type. If you're including a wide letter (like my "W"), allow it to span two pages when you print. To make your own "GROW" look exactly like mine (aw, shucks!), use this free printable.
Use a pencil to outline each letter on the plywood. The pressure on the tip of the pencil will leave a small gouge in the surface of the plywood so that when you lift the paper you will still see the faint outline of the letter. If your wood isn't soft enough, you can also use a utility knife to gently score the shape of the letter on the surface of the plywood. Use the pencil to darken the shape of the letter so it's easier to follow when you're using the saw.
From:Emily Fazio Emily Fazio
A jigsaw is great for cutting out these letters, although a jigsaw might work just as well. Follow the lines and cut out each letter one at a time.
From:Emily Fazio Emily Fazio
To remove half of your letters (like the middle of the "O" or "R"), you don't have to make it too complicated. Simply go over one of the "solid" lines on your chart. The glue and moss will keep them from becoming brittle.
From:Emily Fazio Emily Fazio
Use a flexible sanding block to smooth rough edges and remove splinters from the letters.
From:Emily Fazio Emily Fazio
Paint each letter - back, front and edges. A dark green color will prevent holes in the moss from being obvious.
From:Emily Fazio Emily Fazio
If you plan to install the letters outside where they will come in contact with rain, use a weather-resistant adhesive that dries clear to bond the moss. Apply a thick layer of adhesive to the surface of the wood. Separate the small pieces of moss and glue them together one piece at a time so that the glue absorbs into the moss.
From:Emily Fazio Emily Fazio
How much glue is enough glue? Aim for the moss to be saturated and fluffy. Since the glue will dry, it will really help bond the textured moss together and secure it to the board.
From:Emily Fazio Emily Fazio
Let the glue dry overnight and then take a pair of scissors and "landscape" around the edges to correct any bits of moss sticking out of the plywood.
Feel cute, if you like, and add some faux faux flowers to your finished letter shapes.
From:Emily Fazio Emily Fazio
You can hang the letters on hooks, but when applied directly to a wooden surface like a fence, nails are the safest option. I used 1” nails and nailed them straight through the plywood and moss, and into the fence. The nail heads are completely disguised in the moss, and the letters are not required to change with wind or weather. Enjoy making your own word art!
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