An easy to build farmers market sign is the perfect decor for early fall.
Fall is definitely in the air at my house. Even though it’s still summer outside, I am enjoying making it fall inside.
Last year I finally built a mantle over my fireplace , so now I have the perfect place to decorate for the seasons. Since I finally had someplace to decorate I needed decorations.
And this farmers market mini pallet sign is just what it needs! Build a mini pallet that can be painted to look like a vintage farmers market sign.
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I wanted some decorations to put up for fall and I wasn’t ready for pumpkins. I use a lot of pumpkins in my Halloween and Thanksgiving decor so I didn’t want to pull them out already and be pumpkined out too early.
So when I though of what August and September meant, I thought farmers markets!
I never miss a week at the market during the early fall. There is so much great produce to find and it’s not too hot to wander for hours.
I also love the look of pallets, but obviously can’t put a big ol’ pallet on my mantle, so I built a mini one! It was so easy.
This whole project can easily be done in a day (maybe two cause you have to wait for paint to dry) and you will be ready for fall!
How to Make a Fall Pallet Sign
Tools & Materials
Recommended Tools:
- Miter saw
- I recently upgraded to this larger sliding miter saw (watch for it to go on sale), but all my projects before were built with this inexpensive miter saw that I loved.
- Brad nailer
- Vinyl cutting machine
Supplies:
- (2) 8′ long 1×3 boards
- (1) 6′ long 1×2 board
- 1 1/4″ brad nails
- Creamy white paint
- Dark stain
- This is a great project to use up left over paint and stain on
- Heavy grit sandpaper
- Black and red craft paint
- Clear top-coat spray
- (4) 12″ x 24″ pieces of non-permanent vinyl
- (4) 12″ x 24″ vinyl transfer paper
- You can also buy vinyl and transfer paper in large rolls
STEP 1- Build the Mini Pallet
Cut (8) 20″ boards from the 1x3s and 2 24″ boards from the 1x2s.
Attach the 1x3s onto the top of the 1x2s according to the diagram below. Ensure they are flush with the outer edge and the top and bottom boards are flush at the top and bottom.
Use a wood glue and a couple 1 1/4″ finishing nails on each 1×3 to secure it to the 1x2s. I didn’t even have a nail gun last year when I built this, so I used a good ol’ hammer and nails.
Let the glue dry, then you are ready for paint. To give it a rustic look, leave the wood unsanded.
STEP 2- Paint and Antique the Pallet
I wanted my farmers market sign to have an aged look, like it had been sitting outside directing people to the market for years.
To do this, start by painting the whole thing with a creamy colored paint, thinned out with a little water so the wood grain will show through (not sure what color I used, just some I had left over from another project).
Then using a heavy grit sand paper, sand around the edges and over the top in places.
Finally, use a dark stain on a rag and rub it over the white paint in random places. Finish with a little more sanding, and presto, a weathered looking pallet sign.
STEP 3- Stencil the Farmers Market Design
Now it was time for the stenciling. I used my much loved Silhouette Cameo. It is seriously one of those DIY tools I never new I couldn’t live without until I had it!
Cut out stencils for the different categories out of vinyl. You should be able to get 2-3 stencils on each sheet of 12×24 vinyl.
Using the transfer sheets, place the vinyl on your mini pallet. Ensure it is pressed down well and paint black or red over the top of the stencil with your craft paint. To get clean lines with your stencils, do not pull the paint across the stencil, but press it down onto the wood.
After the paint is dry, remove the vinyl. Sand again with a heavy grit sand paper to give the words an aged look (or it will look weird).
Then give it a quick spray with a clear top-coat spray to protect all your hard work. Now it is ready for display!
Now I am well on my way to having the perfect fall mantle. Maybe it will encourage me to finish the fireplace.
Just a few more decorations and I will be ready to welcome in fall 🙂
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I LOVE THIS PALLET SIGN!! How do I look into buying the DIY kit? Mostly I’m more interested in the stencils….hubby is a pro carpenter and loves to buy and play with wood…..I don’t have a Cricut yet…..please let me know how I can buy this….Many thanks for such amazing projects and DIY’s you are so very talented and skilled !!!
I absolutely love this project!! Thanks so much for providing the file in a PDF format.
Thanks Carol, I hope the PDF file will work for you 😉
Ok, now I really regret selling my Silouette! So inspiring Kati!
You’ll just have to come borrow mine when you need it 🙂
Your sign is fantastic and I so want to learn how to make neat stencils so my signs will look great too. have to say your kids are cute too!
Thanks Carole 🙂 I love using my Silhouette to make stencils out of vinyl because they stick nicely and make clean lines. And I can design anything for the stencil, the possibilities are endless!
I’m just stopping by to let you know that your palette sign will be featured at our party tonight at 7 pm. Woo Hoo! I hope to see you there because we love to party with you! Lou Lou Girls
Thanks so much 🙂 You guys are so sweet to feature my sign.
Ahhhh, who would have thought a mini palette (I didn’t even know they existed!) could become any cuter, but your little fall stencils did just that! Thanks for sharing your files too. You are my featured pick at this week’s Merry Monday AND this was the most popular post from last week! Congrats! We hope you’ll join us again this week! 🙂
Thanks Christine. Mini palettes don’t really exist, I just built one because the big one was too big for what I wanted but I like the look of a palette. Super easy to build and now I have the cutest decoration. Thanks for the feature 🙂
Mini pallets do exist. I saw a small pile of them at my local grocery store. I asked about them and was told I could have them. I have 5 in my garage. ????
That is good to know! I love my simple homemade one still 😉
This is so cute! I am wishing for a Silhouette or something like it! My aunt has a Cricut and we’ve been using it for a lot of DIY’s for my wedding. Having a tool like that is life changing!
Agreed Jenna, my Silhouette has been life changing. I find new ways to use it all the time. I hope you get one soon 🙂
Love this sign and just wanted to let you know that it will be featured on the Merry Monday party this Sunday. Also, would love if you joined as a contributor to my DIY: Fun Crafty Ideas on Pinterest.
Thank you so much Erlene! I would love to join your Pinterest board.
This is adorable, I love how you made this!
Thank you Deb 🙂
What an adorable sign! Thanks for joining Inspiration Monday!
Thank you Christy! And thanks for featuring my sign on your blog today, you picked some really awesome projects and I’m so thankful you included me in that 🙂
The sign is awesome! Thanks for sharing with us at Funtastic Friday. Your palette is featured at this week’s party:-)
Thanks you Sherry!
Hello Gorgeous!! This is fantastic! You have been pinned,tweeted and shared on Facebook! Your post will be featured this week on the Friday Favorites Link Party at Mustlovehome.com. Come by the party tonight and see your feature and share another of your favorite posts! Hugs – Christine at Must Love Home
Thanks so much for sharing my project Christine! I’ll see you tonight.
This is such a cute idea. I want one! Fall is definitely my favorite season. School starts here in early August here so I figure if I’m buying school supplies it must be fall already!
Yeah, school started here today so it must be Fall! Maybe I’ll make pumpkin waffles for breakfast now 🙂
Do you have this in a PDF form? I love it can’t open the link for the Silhouette.
Hello Jenn, you do have to have the Silhouette software for the file to work. I did just add an update at the bottom of the post with some PDFs. They are not perfect, but they should be helpful. Let me know if they work for you. I would love to see pictures of your finished project.
Love this! I adore all the different fonts {swoon}.
I sooo need an e-cutter. “Dear Santa….”
Thank you for sharing this week at Brag About It link party on VMG206 (Mondays at Midnight). I plan to feature you next week!
~ Megin of VMG206
Hello Megin! I hope Santa comes through for you, having customer cut vinyl in minutes is heaven for a creative type! Thanks again for the feature, you are the sweetest!
I am totally with you on not getting pumpkined out too early! I love this sign and the Squirrel nut cracker!!!
Thanks Chandra! I just couldn’t pass up that quirky squirrel. I was a little afraid it would scare the kids, but they are more than happy to use him to crack open their peanuts 🙂
This mini palette sign is adorable, Kati! I’m with you – it’s still hot as heck here in Florida but I am ready for the cooler weather to arrive and I’m ready for fall! 🙂
Thanks Julie! We’ve had a couple days this week were it didn’t get above 80, it was heaven 🙂
Very nice! Love the pallet and the Apple printable. Hope you will share at our party, too. #OMHGWW
http://twochicksandamom.blogspot.com/2015/08/it-is-time-for-another-fantastic-oh-my.html
Hello Donna! I’m glad you like my fall decor. I’ll have to come by to see your party 🙂
Absolutely love this!! Can’t wait for fall! Here visiting from Craftastic Monday!
Thank you Jessica! I’m glad you stopped by 🙂
I love your sign Kati!! Beautiful job (and your kids are adorable). Can’t wait for fall 🙂
Katie
Thanks so much Katie! I’m happy you are not bugged by me showing off the kids, yeah, I’m a proud mama 🙂
Love this palette sign! What a fun idea. Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty – we hope to see you again next week. 🙂
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
Thank you Lorelai! I’ll definitely see you again on Thursday 🙂
I’m telling Santa that I want a Silhouette! Love your sign. It’s one of the best projects I’ve seen done with pallet wood. Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday.
I hope Santa brings you one! It’s one of my go to DIY tools. The possibilities are endless!
Your fabulous palette sign caught my eye at the Something To Talk About party. So stink’n cute! Pinned 🙂
Thanks Marie! I’m glad you stopped by 🙂
Kati! This is SO adorable! Love, love, love! We just put in a fireplace 2 years ago, and I’m always looking for ways to decorate it for the season. Pinning for sure. Thanks for sharing…
Thanks Erin! Isn’t it fun to finally have a fireplace to decorate. I’ve had the fireplace for 10 years now, but just built a mantle last year so I am having so much fun with it!
That is just adorable! Pinning this for future inspiration!
Thank you Jeanette! I’m glad you like it 🙂
Love it! What an awesome market sign you made! Pinning!
Thanks so much Kim 🙂
Love your beautiful market sign! It absolutely encompasses Fall. We discovered you by way of Refresh Restyle’s link party.
I’m still drooling over your sign! I’m making plans to make myself one of these! What fonts did you use for “farmers” and “fresh eggs”?
Hello Heather. I used Harrington for the Farmers and Adobe Ming Std for the Fresh Eggs. I have no clue where I found these fonts cause I have been adding ones I like for so many years now, but I am sure a quick search will help you find them. I would love to see pictures of your sign when you are done 🙂
I love this sign!!! I may need to make something similar with my two pallets (that have been dying for something!) and custom make it to fit what we grow. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Megan. I think it would be great to make personalize it to what you are growing. I’d love to see pictures of how it turns out 🙂
What a darling sign. It looks so professional how you cut the letters out with the sillouette. It makes a darling early fall decoration. Love it, thanks for sharing.
Thank you Brooke! I love using my Silhouette to make stencils for painting. I use it all the time 🙂
I love vintage style signage and this has to be one of the nicest ones I have seen, I am thinking I need to make one like this for my garden.
This would be so cute in a garden. And then it would get more aged and beautiful!
I love this sign also!! Great job!! Visiting from Must Love Home.
Thanks! I am glad you stopped by 🙂