First of all you have to understand, I’m not what you would call handy. I don’t have the know-how or patience for repair work or construction. My wife does the repairs around the home. I’m not talented at making things. My brother got that gene. He makes furniture. However, I do consider myself creative, and the project I have in mind is more about creativity than construction. I wanted to make a handcrafted sign.

Number Two

The second thing you should know is—I like snow. I like all kinds of snow and lots of it. I don’t like snow when it endangers folks, but other than that — I like snow. As you may guess by the end of last year’s snow season, my pro-snow stance was less than appreciated.

Every winter I place a vintage metal “Let It Snow!” snowman sign at the front of my yard. I guess last year one of my neighbors had had enough. I got up one morning to a missing snowman sign. Whoever took it was industrious because it was staked into frozen ground and surrounded by nearly a foot of snow.

Number Three

The next thing you should know is that I lost three sections of wooden fence during a summer storm. The fence had a nice weathered gray patina. It seemed such a waste to throw it away. So I didn’t. I stacked it behind the back fence, broken pieces and all. I do not have a problem with hoarding. You never know when one may need old weathered gray wooden fence.

It was my Destiny

Putting two and two together — no snow sign, broken fence, and you can see where this is going. I’m going to make a “Let it Snow” sign out of broken fence, and you can too! I have the fence but you can pick up fence at any home store or save your money and use pallets.

Fence/Pallet Sign Checklist

  1. Wash fence or pallet boards with soapy water
  2. Thoroughly rinse
  3. Allow it to dry
  4. Lightly sand
  5. Saw the pieces to desired size. For example my sign is three 8” boards cut three feet in length
  6. Screw two cross beams attached to the back of the sign. I used left over pieces of fence, but most wood works
  7. Wash the wood with a mixture of paint and water to add color and consistency
  8. Let dry
  9. Go online and print your copy to use as a stencil (I hand drew the letters and snowflake)
  10. Cut out your copy and trace on the wood in pencil
  11. Fill in the stenciled letters with paint
  12. If the sign is to hang, attach a metal clothes hanger to the back
  13. You may consider protecting the paint with a clear coat

There you Have it

There’s no need to be a skilled carpenter or craftsperson to create this sign. All you need are a few pieces of wood, some paint, and an idea. You don’t have to be handy!  Have fun. Let it snow!