DIY farmhouse style gratitude word signs, mini

Thanksgiving is such a heartwarming time of year. I love how it brings families home. How we spend time together and how it’s just so cozy! One thing I love most about the Thanksgiving season is that we are all reminded of all that we have and how good things are. I know, I know, sometimes things are not great, but being around friends and family can always cheer us up. These farmhouse style gratitude word signs can do just that, they can remind us to look at what we have been given and bring a smile to our face. The great thing about these are they are mini! They are the great design of our original signs but they work great in smaller spaces. They are also great to be used all year long. Follow these steps below to make some of your own.

Check out our original size as well. Just in case you love these but want them a little larger. DIY Farmhouse style gratitude word signs original

Supplies:

1×2’s cut to sizes: (2qty- top and bottom pieces= 7.5″ in length) & (2 qty- side pieces= 2.5″ in length)
1×3 cut to 6″ in length
bradnailer or staple gun
palm sander, sanding block, or sandpaper
safety glasses
Briarsmoke woodstain
gloves
Old Towel
gratitude words (mini’s) printable (free PDFs available at bottom of post)
Heavy duty cardstock
scissors

Step 1: cut your wood for your gratitude word sign mini frame

If you do not have your 1×2 cut into 4 smaller pieces, do that now. Cut 2 pieces measuring 7.5 inches and 2 more pieces measuring 2.5 inches.

Cut your 1×3 so it is 6 inches in length.

Step 2: Staining your frame pieces

After you have cut the pieces for your frame, you are going to stain them with the Briarsmoke stain. Using an old towel, dip into the stain and rub it everywhere on your frame pieces. Make sure you get all areas covered. Using another section of your towel, wipe all the excess stain off. The harder you wipe, the more stain you remove. When you have wiped all the excess stain off of your frame pieces, set them aside to dry. You want to make sure it is pretty dry before assembling your frame.

Step 3: Printing your gratitude words for your gratitude word sign mini

While you are waiting for your frame to dry, select the gratitude word(s) you want to put in your frame. Print it on heavy duty card stock. I just used my printer at home, because it printed so nicely. However, I was only testing it. I originally planned to have it printed at a printing place. You can do either.

If you make your frame(s) the same size as mine, the PDF is ready to print and cut. You’ll want to cut it a little little larger than the average 1×3, and then just trim it up to fit perfectly.

Step 4: Attaching the gratitude word to the back of the sign

With your gratitude word printed, lay it flat on your work surface. Lay your 1×3 over the top of the word being sure to center it. Trace the 1×3 on the paper. Now cut out what you just traced, being careful not to go inside the lines. You can always cut along the outside of the line and trim it up once you secure it into place.

After your gratitude word is cut, use double sided tape, to secure your Thanksgiving word onto the 1×3. Center it carefully. Trim up any edges that might need trimming.

Step 5: Assembling you gratitude word sign mini frame

Now that your frame is dry, and your print is secured to the 1×3, you are ready to put everything together.

Take the 1×3 piece and stand it on end. Pay attention to what side has the word on it. Line up the edge of the 2.5″ piece on top of the edge of the 1×3″ piece. Make sure one side hangs over the 1×3 (the side that has the word on it) and the other side is flush with the 1×3. Shoot 2 nails in the 2.5″ piece to secure it to the end of the 1×3.

Repeat this step for the other 2.5″ piece. Once you have both 2.5″ pieces secured to the ends of the 1×3, you are going to repeat what you just did with the top and bottom pieces. Your 1×3 should be nicely framed. . Now place the remaining 8″ piece on top of the two 6.5″ pieces sticking up in the air and secure it into place with 2 nails in each end, as you did before. You may need to pull and tug at it to help them line up correctly.

It’s now time to adorn your living space with some cute gratitude words. Find the perfect place to display them. The place where everyone will admire them and want some of their own. Enjoy and display it with confidence, because you are amazingly creative! They also make great gifts for the people you are grateful for!

Ready to Print PDF gratitude words files: