Crafting something beautiful for your home, like this Valentine’s Day Wood Sign, is a great way to enjoy a special day with your partner.

This past summer, we moved from South Florida to North Florida. While we absolutely love living here as a family, there is one drawback: we don’t have any family members nearby to watch the kids so we can enjoy a date night out, just me and Carrie. The only way to really celebrate together is at home. Carrie recently attended a local workshop where she made a wood holiday sign for our mantle, and she was excited to come home and tell me how she made the sign. To enjoy a “date-in”, I thought we could make a Valentine’s Day Wood Sign together to display above our fireplace. Here’s how we made this sign together.

Materials:

• Wood plank that is about one-foot by two-feet
• Wood stain
• Foam brush
• Small paintbrushes
• Chalkboard paint in your favorite color
• Pre-made stencil or stencil material to make your own
• Tweezers
• Hallmark Signature Card

Directions:

The first step in making this Valentine’s Day Wood Sign is to stain your wood. We chose a piece of wood from my local craft store that is actually five wood slats attached together, but you could visit your hardware store and purchase a single piece of wood to use instead. Consider which would look best in your home. We selected a dark stain to contrast the light mantle area. We applied the stain using a foam brush, then used a paper towel to remove some of the stain so we could still see the woodgrain. Allow it to dry completely. You can use a hair dryer to expedite the process.

Next, you will have to select a stencil. You have some options here. You can either purchase a pre-made stencil at your local craft store or make one using a specialized cutting machine. We purchased a fun arrow font and designed this stencil using a Silhouette Cameo. We cut our design into stencil material and placed it carefully on our stained wood. The words “We Chose Forever” resonated with us because it represents our love for one another and can be displayed in our home year-round. It isn’t just for Valentine’s Day.

Select your paint color. Originally we were thinking of going with white, but instead we mixed up a light aqua to complement other colors in our home, like the paint in the nearby kitchen and dining area. This paint has a chalkboard finish for a matte look. Paint within the areas of the stencil by using a consistent brushstroke throughout. We wanted a bold appearance, so we applied two coats.

When you are finished painting, gently peel back the stencil. Use a small paintbrush to touch up any areas you may have missed. Then use tweezers to remove all of the small pieces of the stencil that were left behind when you removed the large stencil. This can be tricky, so take your time.

Your Valentine’s Day Wood Sign is now complete! Once it is completely dry, hang it in your favorite area of your home for all to see. Carrie loves to decorate our mantle, so she surrounded our sign with flowers, photographs, banners, and other pieces we have created over the years {like the LOVE canvas Lydia and Bryce made as toddlers and the LOVE photo blocks Carrie made several years back with black and white photos}.

I’m not always the best at picking the perfect gift for all of our celebrations, but I do enjoy trying to select a great card. This Valentine’s Day, head to Walmart where you can find the newest collection of Hallmark Signature Cards for Valentine’s Day. These premium, hand-crafted cards are available in a variety of styles. This card coordinates with our Valentine’s Day Wood Sign and can be displayed on our mantle. It’s easy to get everything for your Valentine’s Day celebration at Walmart – including the perfect Hallmark Card. Earn $1 back on any Hallmark Valentine’s Cards priced $2.97 and above with Ibotta at Walmart {from 1/29 through 2/14 or while supplies last}. You can also check the card aisle of your local Walmart for a coupon for $2 off when you purchase 3 or more Valentine’s Day cards.

For more fun Valentine’s Day ideas and to find a store near you, click here!

How do you plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year?

Try making a fun craft with your partner, like this Valentine’s Day Wood Sign!