Last week my mom brought me a bag of acorns that she’d collected from her yard. They were beautiful and I knew I needed to use them in a project. I cleaned them up and dried them in my oven.
And then I glammed them up and created this golden acorn craft sign, which is perfect for my fall home decor!
That little squirrel in the word “GATHER” totally makes me smile.
To me, the word “GATHER” is synonymous with fall. It’s a time of harvest, where crops are collected, and it’s a time of family, where people come together. This sign, with its cheeky squirrel and his prized acorns, reminds me of that.
Supplies Used for this Acorn Craft
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- Acorns
- Gold Rub ‘N Buff
- Plain wood plaque
- Americana Decor Chalky Finish Paint in Primitive and Vintage
- Foam brushes
- Americana Decor Creme Wax in Clear and Dark Brown
- Letter stencils (or Silhouette machine and vinyl)
- Squirrel silhouette
- Leather cording
How to Make This Acorn Sign
First, if you haven’t already preserved the acorns, wash them off and bake them at 220 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 2 hours. This will prevent the acorns from getting moldy.
Once cool, apply a light coat of Rub ‘N Buff to the bottom portion of each acorn. If the caps have fallen off, reattach them with hot glue.
Hot glue the acorns to leather cording that has been cut to a length slightly longer than the wooden plaque you’ll be attaching it to.
Paint the wooden plaque. I used two coats of Americana Decor Chalky Finish Paint in Primitive.
Once dry, affix a vinyl stencil made on an electronic cutting machine that reads “GATHER” (with a squirrel silhouette serving as the “A” in “GATHER”).
Alternatively, affix letter stickers to the plaque. If you want the “A” to be a squirrel and you don’t have a cutting machine, download an image of a squirrel silhouette and trace that onto the plaque.
Paint over the vinyl stencil or the stickers. If you’re using stickers and have drawn in the squirrel silhouette, be careful and paint around the squirrel.
Remove the stencil and/or stickers to reveal the contrasting paint beneath. Seal the paint with creme wax, and add some dark wax for a vintage look.
Staple the leather cording with attached acorns to the back of the wooden plaque.
Voila! Your acorn craft project is complete.
Isn’t this a great way to use some acorns from the yard?
Kim~madeinaday says
I have yet to do an acorn project yet! This is so pretty, I’m inspired! Thank you so much for sharing this pin on the P3 party Board! I love it and it will be featured on the blog and my social media Friday! So look for a little traffic from me!
Best,
Kim
Bre says
Thanks, Kim! YOU ROCK!! 🙂
Cecilia says
I’m coming over from Hometalk. I love this idea! I’m now following you too.
🙂
Cecilia
Bre says
Aw, thanks, Cecilia!! I appreciate it! I will follow you back next time I pop over there. 🙂
Betsy @ Happily Ever After, Etc. says
I absolutely love your little squirrel! He is so cute! Such a great way to play with the typography! Love it! So glad to “meet you” through the Home for Fall blog hop! Pinning for reference!
Bre says
Hi, Betsy – you are so kind! Thank you for your sweet note. It is so nice to “meet” you, too! I loved participating in this hop and meeting so many new bloggers! Have a great night.
Jill Flory says
This is adorable! Love how you replaced the ‘a’ in gather with the squirrel – too cute 🙂
Vanessa says
How sweet. I love acorns. They are just perfect for fall decor.
Anon says
It took me a while to figure out what it was supposed to say… I kept reding “gquirrelther”.
Bre says
Phew! Thank goodness you figured it out and lived to share your story, anonymous!
Amy | Canary Street Crafts says
🙂
Lily says
So cute I never would have thought to use acorns for a garland it’s so unique and inspiring great tutorial:)
Bre says
Thabks so much, Lily!
Cathy says
I have fallen in love with gold acorns this year and your banner is just awesome. Love it all. Cathy
Bre says
Thanks, Cathy! I appreciate it!
Seana Turner says
So pretty! I’m glad you mentioned about the caps, because I once made a wreath and it looked great… and then the caps all started to fall off. I should have glued them on before making the wreath – live and learn!
Bre says
Hahaha Seana, those darn caps! 😉 I bet your wreath was adorable. You are so talented and organizing, writing AND crafting! A renaissance woman! 😉
Lindsay Eidahl says
“Blinged out” acorns! I love it!
Bre says
Don’t you think they should just grow that way? ;-P Thanks, Lindsay!
Angie @ Knick of Time says
This is adorable! Thanks for the tutorial – Pinned it!
Bre says
Well thank you, Angie! I really appreciate it! 🙂
Lucy @ Patina Paradise says
Such a cute sign and the gold on the acorns is just perfect. ;o)
Bre says
Thank you so much, Lucy! 🙂
Funky Junk Interiors says
How adorable! I’m so in LOVE with the acorn garland especially. The metallic is just the right amount of bling. I want one! 🙂
Bre says
THANK YOU, Donna! And oh my gosh, thanks so much for organizing this blog hop! I have been having so much fun checking out the projects and “meeting” new bloggers. You are the best!
Sara says
Get out! This is the cutest little sign! The squirrel, then the touch of the acorns! Well done!
Bre says
Hey, Sara – thank you!! I wish I would have painted the letters a brighter color so they stand out a bit more, but oh well! Thanks so much for stopping by! 🙂