Buffalo Check Wooden Letters

Today's Tutorial for Buffalo Check Wooden Letters is sponsored by Plaid Crafts and contains affiliate links. I make a small portion when these links are used, at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own. 

These Buffalo Check Wooden Letters are the first of a few projects I'm working on for my boys' bathroom overhaul. I think they are perfect to distinguish whose towel hangs where (notice there is definitely not a letter to indicate anyone's towel should be wadded up on the floor...Jonathan, I'm talking to you). See how I created these Buffalo Check Wooden Letters below.

This tutorial has been the craziest one to put together. I've had the letters finished for a bit, but got a wild hair to go ahead and start on the actual re-do of the boys' bathroom (and ripped out wallpaper and popcorn ceilings in the process) so I could really show these fun letters off. It was an interesting chain of events. But, yay for this wall being done (we still have a *bit* more to do everywhere else in this space). But check out the tutorial for the Buffalo Check Wooden Letters below.

Buffalo Check Wooden Letters

These buffalo check letters actually turned out exactly how I had pictured them in my head. That doesn't always happen. They're a little rustic and a little vintage...and the letter shape reminds me of my favorite "varsity" font. 

Supplies for Buffalo Check Wooden Letters

• You can grab these wood letters at the Walmarts. Click here to check out their details. 
• Chalk style paint in two contrasting colors (I'm a BIG fan of Waverly's Chalk-Style paint, which you can find in the craft section of Walmart, or below on Amazon). Colors I used:
• Waverly Chalk Style Paint in Plaster (an off white)
• Waverly Chalk Style Paint in Ink
• Flat artist's paint brush (two recommended)
• Medium grit sandpaper
• 1" painter's tape
• Waverly's White Wax (also available at Walmart)
• Felt scraps for wax application (or a nice wax brush)

Creating your Buffalo Check Wooden Letters:

I gave the letters a light sanding before starting the real fun (pictured above).

And as most of you know, Waverly's Chalk-Style Paint is my spirit animal. Tried out two new colors on these letters and they did not disappoint. I gave the letters two coats of the paint in Plaster (a lovely creamy white that's not too off-white). These letters take paint really well. You can find a fabulous selection of the Waverly Chalk-Style Paint at your Walmart, too...just head on back to the crafts section.

After they completely dried (I set them near a small fan for an hour or so), I taped off vertical stripes with painter's tape. I used a small piece of tape as a template to space out my stripes (they were exactly one inch or one width of tape apart).

I used more of the Waverly Plaster Paint to "seal" the edges of my tape to prevent any bleeds.

Next, I used about 1/4 cup of Waverly's Chalk Style Paint in Ink and diluted it with about a tablespoon of plain tap water.

To paint the buffalo check pattern, you want a really dry brush with little paint on it. I kept both a dry and damp paper towel handy, along with a scrap piece of paper to dab off any excess paint. I did this before every stroke.

After the vertical stripes of the Ink paint dried completely, I repeated the process with the horizontal stripes...again, spacing the lines one inch apart from one another.

Again, I sealed the paint with the original Plaster base coat...but this time I was a little more careful and only sealed the areas without any of the Ink color of paint.

Repeat the same process with dry brushing the Ink color on the horizontal stripes.

To soften the buffalo check a bit, I grabbed my favorite Waverly White Wax.

I keep my leftover felt pieces in a scrap pile to use for waxing...I like the way they apply wax. I just apply a dime-sized amount and work it into the piece...muting the colors just a bit.

No more excuses for towels on the floor, y'all! I'm loving how fun and preppy these wooden letters turned out. I want to paint everything in buffalo check, now.

If you love buffalo check like I do, be sure to check out my Buffalo Check State Printables (featured in the video below):

More fun buffalo check projects:

• Donna from Funky Junk used an adorable Buffalo Check Stencil to give loads of projects a cute look.
• This Buffalo Check Accent Wall over at Classy Clutter is seriously the cutest.
• My Buffalo Check Pom Pom Drapes were made from cheap tablecloths!

Again, click HERE to check out these letters at Walmart. 
They're a wonderful quality and the perfect size for home decor. 

Neglect your chores like me and don't miss a thing:

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