Hi everyone! I thought I'd show you the last of the additions we've made in the kitchen recently, and it's this handmade "Fried Green Tomatoes" sign.
Here's a little closer look at it. I had been thinking for a while that this space above our windows was the perfect place for a sign. Normally, I have 3 antique plates hanging there that belonged to my late mother-in-law Sarah Windham. But for a little change, I moved them to the other side of the kitchen and created this wooden sign for this space. And since it's summer and we grow a lot of tomatoes, I decided that there couldn't be a more fitting phrase than this one. I'll even share my recipe for fried green tomatoes later this week!
This is my first venture into making a hand-painted sign. I've read all sorts of tutorials on-line about how to do it, but I'll share the steps that I took in creating mine.
I was on the lookout for an old piece of wood to make my sign, but last week I just happened to find a thin piece of ¼ inch plywood in our storage building that was left over from another project. So I decided to use it. I measured out the size that I wanted it, and here I've started working on it before the piece of wood was cut. I painted the background with some white paint that I already had and printed the letters that I needed. The fonts I used were Baskerville Old Face and Script MT Bold. Next I cut out out the letters in order to use them as stencils.
I pulled out my ruler to make sure I got the letters straight. You can see my guide marks on the sign.
I used a different method to get this script phrase on the sign. First I printed the phrase, then I turned over the piece of paper and traced and filled in the letters with my pencil. After carefully positioning the phrase, I did the same thing on the front of the piece of paper to transfer the charcoal to the wood.
This procedure worked perfectly!
Leo's brother Jim cut the board for me, and I started painting the letters on the sign. I decided to turn the O's in the word tomatoes into green tomatoes! Couldn't help myself!
I outlined the letters in the word green with a Sharpie to make them stand out more. The hardest part in making this sign was painting the edges of the sign. Even though I used a ruler, I still found myself coming out of the line and having to fix my bloopers. In hindsight, I could have used painter's tape!
To antique the sign, I waxed it with Annie Sloan's clear and dark waxes and then sanded the letters until I achieved the look that I wanted.
And here it is! It makes a real conversation piece when people walk into our kitchen!
And I just have to show you "Pork Chop!" Iwas in Hobby Lobby last week and spotted this cute pig with its ruffled black and white collar in the clearance area. He's a little scratched up and imperfect, but isn't he just the cutest thing?
And I couldn't help myself when I spotted this rug at Ikea this past Saturday.
If you missed some of our other kitchen updates, you can see our new delta touch20 faucet that we installed recently, our new ruffled skirt stool cover, and the summer veggie chalkboard display by clicking on these links.
Well, all this talk about fried green tomatoes is making me hungry and I'll be back later to share how I make them!
Mary Gagnon
Would it be possible to purchase a Fried Green Tomatoes sign like this one? My hands shake way to much to accomplish this beautiful sign.
Jane Windham
Sending you a message by email!
Peggy
Could I purchase one?
Jane Windham
I'm sorry. I don't have any for sale.
Katie Jessie
I just love this idea! I do have a question: what size font did you use? Thanks!
Tonita
This sign is adorable. I told my friend Kelly about it and now she is a follower of your blog. She has a Fried Green Tomato themed room in her home and it is hard to find decor with that theme. You should make and sell them. While you may inspire some to make their own with your tutorial I bet others would just prefer to order one from you right away.
Blessings-
Pamela
Oh my gosh Jane I am in LOVE with this sign! I might just have to make a smaller version for our kitchen. Fabulous job!
Sandy
I love the country charm that the sign has.Fried green tomatoes is my favorite movie.I don't know how times I have watched it.I might have to try my hand in making me a fried green tomato sign.Thanks for the idea and the steps you took.Your kitchen looks very nice.
Lorna
You did a really good job on that sign. Your kitchen is gorgeous.
Amy @ StowandTellU
Lovin' your sign, your piggy, and your kitchen. Such a fresh new look from what has been the trend 🙂 Amy
Pat
Your kitchen is so fresh! I love the Fried Green Tomato sign...adorable and so is that rug!
...have a great week,Jane! ~Pat
Andrea at Opulent Cottage
So I'm sitting here staring at 7 yards of B&W gingham this morning, wondering how I will use it to spruce up my kitchen, and up pops your darling kitchen on Kim's Wow us Wednesday!! This is everything that I want my kitchen to feel like, and the sign is just precious. Love love love! Thanks so much for such happy morning inspiration 🙂
xoxo, Andrea
Mary
Jane, Your sign is fantastic, so professional, and perfect above your sink! I love addition of the the green tomat-O's 🙂 The waxing and sanded are the perfect finishing touch. Pork Chop is adorable too!
Jean Windham
Well how cute. The sign has found it's home and I love it. Congrats on the letters and the twist using green color for the o's .
Ann
Wow...that sign is so cute! It's really a work of art you know. I'm jealous you got to IKEA!
mishelle
love the sign and the piggy!
Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.
That is one awesome sign!
JoAnn @ SweetPepperRose
Jane, I just love this!! both the FGT to eat and one of my favorite movies 😉
Donnamae
Great sign! It looks wonderful in your kitchen! 😉
[email protected] Designs
Just love the sign Jane...so when can I stop by and have some of those great fried green tomatoes!!!!
Tina
Love the sign!!
Suzy @ Worthing Court
This is just adorable! I've been watching and am loving all of your updates.
Julie @ Inspired by You
Wow! You really did a fantastic job with your sign! Hard to believe it was your first one!
Melanie
Love the sign! Especially the O's! It looks great over the window. Pork Chop is a cutie! I couldn't have passed on the rug either, it is lovely!
Valerie
I love this. My favorite veggie from the garden and one of my favorite movies.
Too cute!
Hugs,
Valerie
Cottage Making Mommy
http://www.lovingmyheartandhome.blogspot.com
Gretchen Gerg
I love your sign. It is just the perfect addition to your kitchen along with your cute curtain and sink curtain. I just love it all.
deb
Looks great!
Gina
What a great sign! It's the perfect addition to your kitchen refresh. Pork chop is adorable !
Kim @ Curtain Queen
OK, I pinned your ruffled stool last week, and this week I love your sign. Great job! It's perfect in your kitchen - love the green. OK, Pork Chop is the cherry on top, for sure! Your kitchen is so fun, a reflection of your fun personality. 🙂
Blessings,
Kim
Tammy @ A Walk in the Countryside
I love your sign! I made my first one yesterday using the carbon paper method. I was so excited that it came out so well! I might have to do me some fried green tomatoes! I also LOVE your pig!!!