Every time that I paint a dresser and take off the old hardware, I end up keeping it. Do I know what I will ever use it for? Nope. But, today I thought of a little project that it was perfect for! I had made one of these “love” signs a few years back using old bolts and rusty parts from my dad’s barn. I searched high and low for a photo of it and I couldn’t find one. I loved it and that inspired me to make more! Everything that I used for this project, I found at home. FREE makes a project all the more fun!
I dug through all of my old tarnished hardware to find the perfect pieces to spell out the word, “LOVE”.
I can tell you that super glue does not work for this…I may or may not have tried that before coming up with this brilliant idea, using fishing line. Does that mean that I’m brilliant? I’m sure that I’m just late to the party of knowing that fishing line would work for this. I can’t take the invention credit for this, I’m sure. I used 30lb fishing line, but I’m sure a smaller pound would work too.
I placed the hardware on the piece of wood that I chose and drilled tiny holes in the places where I needed the letter to stay connected to the board. I had this old chippy door that I picked up at an antique mall for $5. It was just the right size for what I needed! I drilled two holes close together with the smallest drill bit that I had and tried to get the hole placement to be under where the hardware was going to sit.
I used the very high tech process of just point, aim, and drill…kind of like the process of me pounding a nail into the wall without measuring. It worked.
I cut a piece of fishing line for every two holes, placed it around the hardware in the front, threaded it through both holes, and tied it to the back of the sign. I tied it tight, using about three knots, and then trimmed the fishing line.
And, it’s done! This was a super fast project and helped me to use some of my old hardware that I had sitting around. I love the finished product!
I will probably just sit it on a shelf somewhere. I don’t really decorate for Valentine’s Day, but when it’s something simple like this, I do.
I decided to use some of the driftwood that we found at the beach to make something similar. I had this old, weathered piece of wood sitting around in my garage. It worked perfect for this project. And, since both of the items were wood, and the letters were fairly lightweight, I just used wood glue to adhere the driftwood.
I love using natural elements for projects! It’s free and so pretty!
Do you have something lying around that you can use to make some free home decor? I hope this inspires you to try a project of your own!
Valarie Matheson says
SO CUTE!!!!
My Vintage Porch says
Thank you so much, Valarie!
Stacey says
How clever! So many cute possibilities for how this DIY could turn out!
Jenn Anderson says
Super cute! And even a ❤️ Shaped piece of driftwood!
Cathy pileggi says
Love the sign. You always do great project. Keep them coming!!!
My Vintage Porch says
Thank you so much, Cathy!
Kristi Sarah says
Omgosh, so cool !
What a great idea you clever girl.
Now I am rummaging thru my 3 junk drawers to see what I have on hand for something similar.
Thank you for keeping us inspired.
My Vintage Porch says
Yay! I hope you find something! Such a fun project!
Lesa says
L❤️VE this! I always pickup hardware at thrift stores or yard sales. I repurpose furniture and I am always changing the hardware out. This is perfect to use up miss-matched pieces. You have awesome ideas and continually inspire me. Thanks!
Judy says
Love both of these! So fun finding a reason for keeping all the things!
Carolyn says
Oh my goodness lady you are so talented. I love these pieces you did. My sister buys stuff @ the flea market all the tome. She has the neatest craft room with jars and baskets fun of every kind of thing imaginable so I honk I head over there tomorrow and raid her stash.I Don’t decorate for Valentines but you have inspired us all…plus LOVE started from the beginning of time with God’s love❣️
Karyn says
Such really cute diy ideas.. good job Natalie
Kim says
These are such great ideas and so cute!!! Thanks for sharing Natalie, love your style♡
My Vintage Porch says
Thank you, Kim! You are so kind!
Kathryn says
Beautiful and so unique!!
My Vintage Porch says
Thank you so much, Kathryn!
Lyrain says
So cute I am a collector of many things left gives me more ideas and you know. Thank you for the cute idea.
Have a great day.????
My Vintage Porch says
I love that! I hope you find something to make!
Laura says
Another clever DIY, Natalie! You have a gift for seeing something’s potential. I tend to hoard things, but never do anything with them because of my lack of imagination. I love seeing what you come up with and how you decorate!
My Vintage Porch says
Thank you Laura! I figure that I better start using the things that I hoard, or my hubs may throw them out, lol
Kris @ Junk Chic Cottage says
Love this. So cute.
My Vintage Porch says
Thank you so much, Kris!
Mary kinzelberg says
Love the driftwood. I did shells and coral for my wedding that said LOVE
My Vintage Porch says
Oh I love the shells and coral idea too!
Lorrie S says
Such a cute idea! You are so crafty????
My Vintage Porch says
Thank you, Lorrie!!
Brenda Johnson says
Natalie, These were a genius idea! Love both of these projects and look forward to seeing where you put them!
My Vintage Porch says
Thank you, Brenda! I hope I can find the perfect spot!
Carrie says
So so Adorable. Very cleaver idea!!!!
My Vintage Porch says
Thank you sweet Carrie!
Constance Luck says
Both signs are so neat. I love the hardware you use for the first one and the driftwood sign is icing on the cake. Both are so cute and unique. You knocked it out of the park.
My Vintage Porch says
Thank you so much, Constance! That is so sweet!
Denise says
I love this “Love”sign.. this idea inspires me… My house husband had all kinds of fun stuff like this lying around. Thanks for the idea… ????????
My Vintage Porch says
Oh yay! I hope you make one too!
Kellie Ljungholm says
These look awesome! Perfectly coastal for the beach house in Maine!
My Vintage Porch says
Oh yes! How fun! You would make an awesome one too!
Shanna says
Girl you are a genius! I do keep the hardware from pieces I redo. Such a great idea.
My Vintage Porch says
Awesome! So fun to make!
LORRI RAUSCHER says
Love it..love your driftwood creation as well..❤
My Vintage Porch says
Sweet! Thank you, Lorri!
PNWFarmhouseDesignCo says
Love this. Great idea. Super cute ????
My Vintage Porch says
Thank you so much!
Kathy M says
So creative!
Cathy says
Such a great idea. Love the signs as well. Love all your work. Great job.