I love a good farmhouse sign, I love crafting, and I also love thrifting, so when those three things came together for my DIY Thrift Store Farmhouse Sign Makeover, I was especially happy. 😁
Recently, while poking around in a thrift store, I came across these two signs for just a couple of bucks each.
Even though I didn’t particularly like the quotes that were already on them, I knew that without much trouble, they’d work perfectly for this DIY Thrift Store Farmhouse Sign Makeover project!

The first sign looks like it came from one of those make-your-own-sign workshops.
My daughter and I did that a couple of years ago, and it was fun.
But, I can guarantee you that whoever made the “All of God’s Grace in One Tiny Face” sign paid a whole lot more than 2 bucks for it. It’s a good solid sign, made from some hefty wood. Definitely worth the 2 bucks.
The other sign is a 3-dimensional, manufactured block wood sign. The sides were already painted gray, and I liked the natural wood front. The quote? Not so much.
Nothing an orbital sander and some coffee can’t fix….☕️

Okay, well the coffee might not be absolutely necessary, but it will make your project go more smoothly. That’s coffee’s superpower.
DIY Thrift Store Farmhouse Sign Makeover
Sand
Using the orbital sander, the stenciled lettering came off like butter.


I was a bit more cautious on the wooden box since it was thinner and hollow, so I used a hand sanding block for this one. Still, the painted lettering came off easily.



Stain
The box sign I left alone, but after sanding, the stain on the larger sign was pretty uneven.
Using a can of stain leftover from another project, I just brushed a little on with a foam brush, and then immediately wiped it off again with an old cloth.
I didn’t want it to penetrate too deeply or be too dark because I still wanted to see the wood grain.



Stencils
Using my Cricut, I created a couple of simple stencils.
I decided the box sign would look cute in my office, so I made a very basic stencil with the name of my blog on it. This is why making your own signs is so fun– they’re one of a kind!


For spring, I decided I wanted a farmhouse-style flower market sign.
I could have made the stencil myself on Cricut Design Studio, but there are so many free SVGs online that I took a quicker route.
This one was nearly perfect for what I wanted, so I uploaded it into Design Studio, and cut it out on stenciling vinyl.
To get it to fit better on my three horizontal wood strips, I cut the stencil apart so I could line it up how I wanted. Transfer tape is the key to getting it situated precisely.
If you don’t have a Cricut, there are lots of pre-made stencils you can find to create your lettering.
You could even use the free “print and trace method” I used for my Herb Box and my Fall Porch Sign. These methods are easy and work well, too! No Cricut necessary!
Mod Podge


Mod Podge is my secret weapon for creating crisp lettering on any stenciling project.
Simply fill in the stencils with Mod Podge first, let it dry, and then use your choice of paint.
The Mod Podge “seals” the edges of the stencil and prevents the paint from seeping under and making fuzzy letters. So easy, and it works like a charm!
Paint


My Finished DIY Thrift Store Farmhouse Sign Makeover Projects
I’m so happy with how they both turned out! Aren’t they so much better than how I found them?








Do you enjoy thrifting? Can I just take a moment to also tell you that not only are my DIY Thrift Store Farmhouse Signs thrifted, but so are the basket and the white milk glass bud vases!
The basket will be perfect for a variety of uses throughout the seasons and I only paid $3.99 for it.
The bud vases…. hold onto your hats folks…. were 10 cents each. I mean, 10 cents is practically free, and you know how I love milk glass. Steal of a deal for sure.
Plus, on the same thrifting adventure last weekend, I came home with this vintage ironstone tureen for only 3 bucks. You can see how I used it in my Spring Kitchen Counters Pinterest Challenge earlier this week.

More Upcycled & Repurposed Projects
If you love a good makeover, check out how I saved this vintage magazine rack, this outdated Christmas tray, and this pile of old frames, and turned them all into lovely “new” pieces that I’m using in my home right now.



Happy Upcycling,

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Love the sign makeovers Niky, and I am a huge fan of milk glass myself. I cannot say the Cricut and I get along so well though. It seems there is always some disaster that happens when I attempt to create my own work. Your project turned out beautifully, I can take a tip or two from you!
I’m laughing at this comment, Cara, because I also spend a lot of time fighting with my Cricut. I’m just too stubborn to let it win, so I usually get the outcome I was wanting, but it sure ain’t easy!
I love thrifting a repurposing things. These turned out beautifully!!
Thanks so much, Susan!
Brilliant modge podge trick, Niky! Your signs turned out great!
Thanks so much, Lora!
Love this idea and it turned out so cute!!!
Your sign makeovers are brilliant Niky, and what a money saver!
Niky,
I love how your transformed a thrift store find into something you can use in your home. Great Job.
Loved this project! Pinned 🙂
Niky, I love that you made over these signs! Why buy new wood when you can find it so cheap at thrift stores?? Great project!
Niky, Thank you for sharing with us at the TFT party! I’m featuring your wonderful post this week. Congratulations!
Theresa.
Thank you so much, Theresa!
I love these makeovers! The wooden sign turned out great. thanks for the tip with the mod podge, duly noted 🙂
You’re welcome! Hope it helps you with your own crafting. 🙂
Niky what a great project with beautiful photos to accompany it!
Congrats – you are one of our Featured Guests at Inspire Me Monday at Create With Joy. Happy Mother’s Day to you!
Thanks so much! I’m thrilled! 🙂
I love these two projects. A good farmhouse sign adds warmth to any room. Thank you for sharing at #omhgww. See you next week!
#omhgww, #aclwcc, #party, #linkup
What a cute idea and I love the way it turned out! Very pretty and farmhouse… love!
What a fab idea and great work! I love the signs x
These both look great! I don’t even think I could pick a favorite. I don’t think I’ve ever considered making over a sign from the thrift shop, although I makeover frames all the time. Such a great idea! Also, I can’t believe you got that ironstone for $3!! Thanks so much for sharing!
What a smart idea! I love them both, but especially the one with the house. I can only imagine the money you have saved creating new signs out of old ones. Love it!
What a great sign makeover and transformation. Love how it turned out! Thanks for sharing and wonderful hopping with you!
Thanks so much Chas. I love the DIY Blog Hop!
Alright, new friend, you’re making me want to give my circuit stencil vinyl another try…I abandoned it after a horrible bleed disaster project last month and have been too chicken to try it again since. Such a great idea to use mod podge to seal it too! I’ve always use my background color paint, but mod podge is even better as it dries clear, I’ll have to try that next time. Both of your signs turned out so beautiful, and the fresh flower sign looks so good next to the thrifted basket and milk glass. Such a pleasure getting to know you and hopping with you!
I have had some misadventures and frustrations with my new Cricut too, so you’re not alone! There’s definitely a learning curve, and many curse words have been uttered along the way! 😂
So fun hopping with you, Allison!
Niky I never thought of that either! I’ve seen tons of cheap signs at thrift stores, what a great idea to make them over!
I know, right? When I saw the signs at the thrift store, it just kind of hit me all at once!
Fun hopping with you, Tarah!
Niky, I LOVE the sign! I never thought to buy one with a saying I didn’t like…just brilliant. Now when I go thrifting and see a sign, I will look at it with different eyes. Thanks for sharing and happy hopping with you!
Thanks so much, Mary! Buying old signs for cheap and remaking them is such a cost saver and fun too!