Rustic Love Sign from Barn Wood

Y’all are going to love this rustic love sign made from barn wood. If you have been around here any time at all, you know that I love barn wood signs. I didn’t have one yet for Valentine’s Day, so I just had to make one! My rustic love sign is perfect for Valentine’s Day or leave it out all year long in your rustic farmhouse decor.

Make your own rustic love sign:

If you’re a fan of farmhouse decor, this quick and easy DIY rustic love sign is the craft for you! Perfect for Valentine’s day, a holiday gift, or just to have around all year long, this beautiful sign needs minimal supplies and (minus dry time) only takes about 20 minutes.

Supplies and materials needed:

• Paper: Any paper will do — brown butcher, copy paper, or construction paper.
• Scissors: I free handed most of my stuff, but you can always trace with a pencil first.
• Letters (optional): You’ll need pre-made letters or construction paper to make and cut out letters. The letters I used came from a pack of Post-It letters for poster board signs.
• Paint: I used this Martha Stewart Living Crackle paint (which may not currently be available), but any white crackle paint made for wood will do.
• Paint brush: If you’re using the Martha Stewart Crackle paint (or something similar), I’d actually recommend a putty knife because it is VERY thick.
• Barn wood: You can use any size, depending on the space you want to put it in.

How to Make a Rustic Love Sign

Ready to get started? This super simple love sign requires only three steps: cut, paint, and let dry!

Step 1: Cut Heart and Letters

For the heart:

I cut out a heart from brown paper butcher paper, but you can also use regular construction paper, copy paper, or even a paper grocery bag. This heart is just a homemade stencil, so it doesn’t need to be fancy!

I got lucky and free-handed my paper heart, but you can also print out a template and cut it out or trace an outline. 

For the letters:

I used some Post-It letters to write out the word “LOVE” (see the image below). You can us any letters you have around or print and cut them out. Just like the heart, these are going to act as more of a stencil.

Step 2: Paint

Place your heart and letter cutouts on the barn wood to mask off the area that is not going to be painted. I chose not to tape anything down and it worked out, but if you’re worried about the cutouts moving, you can use painters tape.

Apply an even coat of paint and then sit back and watch the magic. As it drys, it crackles! Lovely chippy paint in one simple step, no sanding required.

For this craft, I tried out the Crackle Finish paint from Martha Stewart, which was available at The Home Depot. I will warn you that the directions said to apply over a primer, but I didn’t because I wanted the barn wood to show through the cracks.

The Martha Stewart product is THICK, so if you’re painting with something similar, it may need to be applied like spackle with a putty knife — that’s what I had to do.

NOTE: The Martha Stewart paint does not appear to be available any longer. I’d recommend trying try this Folk Art Crackle Paint as an alternative.

You can see the crackle in this up close pic. Plus the barn wood peeking though! Yippee…..I heart rustic farmhouse decor don’t y’all?

Step 3: Allow to Dry

Give your rustic love sign a good several hours to dry or just leave to dry overnight. You do not need to paint a second layer unless you want to cover more of the barn wood. I wanted the barn wood to peek through, so I left the paint at a single, thin layer.

Pair with your favorite home decor!

• I added this to my Love banner and DIY tobacco basket on a little table in our foyer.
• If you love barn wood signs, don’t miss our Hunger Games love quote sign here.
• You can also see a whole collection of farmhouse style signs here.

Love this idea for a Valentine’s Day craft and want more? Try the links below as well!

• Mason Jar Vase for Valentine’s Day
• Funny Valentine with a Llama: Free Printable
• EOS Lip Balm Valentine’s Day Card
• Easy Valentine’s Day Banner with Your Cricut
• DIY Love Pallet Art in Minutes

Want to print the instructions for making this rustic love sign? You can use the card below!

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

How to Make a Rustic Love Sign

This love sign made with barn wood is perfect for Valentine's Day or to leave out all year long with your rustic farmhouse decor.

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Supplies

• Paper
• Scissors
• Paint
• Paint brush or putty knife
• Barn wood

Instructions

Step 1: Cut Heart and Letters

• For the heart:

  I cut out a heart from brown paper butcher paper, but you can also use regular construction paper, copy paper, or even a paper grocery bag. This heart is just a homemade stencil, so it doesn't need to be fancy!
  
• For the letters:

  I used some Post-It letters to write out the word "LOVE" (see the image below). You can us any letters you have around or print and cut them out. Just like the heart, these are going to act as more of a stencil.

Step 2: Paint

• Place your heart and letter cutouts on the barn wood to mask off the area that is not going to be painted. I chose not to tape anything down and it worked out, but if you're worried about the cutouts moving, you can use painters tape.
• Apply an even coat of paint and then sit back and watch the magic. As it drys, it crackles! Lovely chippy paint in one simple step, no sanding required.
  

Step 3: Allow to Dry

• Give your rustic love sign a good several hours to dry or just leave to dry overnight. You do not need to paint a second layer unless you want to cover more of the barn wood. I wanted the barn wood to peek through, so I left the paint at a single, thin layer.
  

Tried this project?tag us to show off your work!