Welcome to Day 4 of my 25 days of Craftmas series! Today, I’m sharing this rustic Christmas countdown sign. It’s a unique spin on the traditional countdown sign. This sign can be used in a couple of different ways. You can start with all the numbers facing backward. Then, each day, turn one number over, starting with one.  By the time you turn over the last wood slice, it’s Christmas!  You can also do it the opposite way. Start with all the numbers facing out. Then, each day, flip one number over, starting with 25. Read on for the full tutorial.This post contains affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a penny more)!  Read my full disclosure policy.

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED

HERE’S WHAT YOU DO

STEP 1: DOWNLOAD THE FREE SVG FILE

The first thing you’ll need to do is get the free SVG file you’ll use for this project.  I keep all the SVG files I use for the projects I make in my SVG Library.  These SVG files work with Cricut and Silhouette machines, as well as many others.  This library is open to everyone and is free!  You can access the library here. Look for the file called Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. It will be listed under the Christmas category-25 Days of Craftmas 2019 – Day 4.

STEP 2: PREPARE YOUR WOOD SIGN

To make this sign, you’ll need 4 pieces of wood that measure about 17” x 3.5”.  You’ll also need two support pieces for the back that are about 12”.  Put all the boards together and line them up.  add some wood glue onto the support pieces and place it across the 4 pieces. Repeat with the other support.  Secure it in place with nails, use either a hammer or a nail gun.

Flip the sign over and give the entire sign a good sanding.

Brush off all the sawdust and then paint the sign. I used an off white color and it took about 3 coats to really cover the wood.

Find 25 of the best wood slices and paint on a coat of Mod Podge. Vinyl doesn’t stick very well to the raw wood slices. Adding a light coat of Mod Podge gives the vinyl a smooth surface to adhere to.

Lay the wood slices on your board as desired.  Place a wire brad nail in each of the holes of the wood slices and hammer into place. These nails are really skinny and have a small head, so the wood slices can easily slide over them. Then, Measure the blank area across the top to determine the size of your design.

STEP 3: CUT AND WEED VINYL

Open the design in your software program and size it to fit in your frame. I added a thin black line above the top of the design to help me position the vinyl on the sign.

When everything is sized correctly, you can cut the design with your Cricut or Silhouette.  Once it has finished cutting, weed away the excess vinyl. I used a craft knife to cut the vinyl between the rows of numbers to make weeding a little easier.

STEP 4: APPLY TRANSFER TAPE

Cut a piece of transfer tape a little bigger than the design. Place the vinyl on the transfer tape and smooth it down. Then, trim off the excess transfer tape.

Then, trim off the excess transfer tape and cut the numbers apart.

STEP 5: APPLY VINYL TO WOOD SLICES & SIGN

Remove the vinyl backing from the numbers and center the vinyl over the wood slice.  Use a scraper and firmly rub over the vinyl. Then pull off the transfer tape. Repeat with the other numbers.

Remove the vinyl backing from the upper portion of the sign.

Center the design on the sign. Line up the straight edge of the small black line with the straight edge of the sign.  Use a ruler to center from right and left.  Rub over the vinyl with a scraper.

Slowly remove the transfer tape and your sign is done!

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Want to make your own? Get the free cut file for this project in the resource library

 

 

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