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:
- 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.
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!
They're a wonderful quality and the perfect size for home decor.
I love those! Perfect for a bathroom. The pattern is great too. We really want to redo our bathroom. I am adding this to our list.
ReplyDeleteThose are perfect for a bathroom or bedroom. I love simple diy projects like this.
ReplyDeleteWow, you made this look so super easy! Talent!! I used to love projects like this. You made it look fun again! Love the way they turned out.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a lot of work, but you made it look really easy. I love the way the letters turned out. This is so perfect for a boy's bathroom. I'd love to do this for my son's bathroom.
ReplyDeleteI just love this idea and it is so perfect how they turned out. I love to add a pop of color or different style to a room with a couple of additions like these in my home. I need to get started on this right away because I really like the way it looks! Great job and thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThese are so cute! I love the idea of using them in the bathroom to create a designated space for hanging towels - I'd love to do them in my boy's bedrooms as well, for hanging sweaters - which, oddly enough, often end up balled up on the floor at the end of the day. We have a sort of camp cabin theme going on in their rooms and I think these would look great - I've never done buffalo check on anything, but your tutorial is excellent so I may give it a shot!
ReplyDeleteI don't have much patience for DIY projects. Yet, I want do make some letters for my son's name in his room. As I watch your step-by-step tutorial, I really think I can manage this one.
ReplyDeleteA moment of silence for the jobs of ridding yourself of a popcorn ceiling and wallpaper. Neither are much fun, but the space always looks a million times better once you get to the other side. I love cute idea for hanging towels and the blue buffalo check print is perfect. I wish I'd have thought about it when my kids were little, I was forever picking towels up from the bathroom floor! x
ReplyDeleteThese came out really nice. I like how they have a weathered look.
ReplyDeleteKate | The Organized Dream
The project does look so very cool here. I never would have thought to look for wood lettering at Walmart. I will have to be doing some more searching there. And it does look so very rustic after you have put them up. Just a great job.
ReplyDeleteThis is so nice! I think I'm able to recreate it in my daughter's play corner for superhero capes!
ReplyDeleteCute idea!
ReplyDelete