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Let’s make a Christmas craft filled with tons of farmhouse style. Use some basic unfinished wood supplies and paint to make this faux shiplap Christmas sign.

Make a Christmas JOY sign with a white shiplap background and a wood bead frame.

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Deck your Christmas walls with this DIY Christmas “JOY” Sign

WHY I LOVE THIS PROJECT

Reason #1 – No special craft supplies are needed. Everything I used if this project was already in my craft stash. I like buying the same basic (and versatile) craft supplies over and over and using them in a variety of ways.

Reason #2 – It’s totally customizable – Once you make the basic shiplap sign, you can decorate it any way you like. Change up the paint color or mini wreath style. Add heat transfer vinyl to the wood if you have a Christmas cut file that you absolutely love.

Reason #3 – More than just decorating your tree – Yes, I know the tree (or in my case, 3 Christmas trees) is the star of the show when most people are decorating for Christmas. And making DIY Christmas ornaments for your tree is fun. But don’t forget to decorate your walls for Christmas. Change out your gallery walls. Add mini signs to shelves and ledges. There are so many options.

WHAT IS A REVERSE CANVAS CRAFT?

As you’ll see in the tutorial, I start this project with a plain 8×10 stretched canvas. But if you cut the canvas fabric, you will reveal a little wooden frame inside. This wooden frame can be used to make a TON of cool DIY wall decor projects. If you want to learn more about this craft trend, you can read my Reverse Canvas 101 Tutorial or watch this quick video below:

TUTORIAL: HOW TO MAKE A FAUX SHIPLAP CHRISTMAS SIGN

Follow this quick video, or read the step-by-step directions below:

1. Use a razor blade to remove the canvas fabric from the wooden frame. Carefully work around the staples. If you want a smooth back to the project, remove the staples as well. This can be a bit tricky, so it’s really a matter of personal preference. For this project, I left the staples in.
2. Use wood glue and a paint brush to attach half wood balls all the way around the front of the wood frame. You may want to lay all of the half wood balls out first, to make sure you get the right spacing, before gluing.Set aside to let the wood glue dry.
3. Grab 10 jumbo wooden craft sticks, and paint them white. I chose to use a more “dry brush” technique with the paint, leaving some wood exposed and poking through the paint. Set aside to let the paint dry.
4. Stain the wooden frames and half wood balls. Brush on an even coat of gel stain. Dab away excess stain with a paper towel. Set aside to dry.
5. Assemble the sign. Flip the frame over. Apply a line of wood glue along the back edge of the frame. Lay the wood craft sticks, painted side down, on top of the wood glue. Set a stack of books on top until the wood glue dries.
6. Decorate the sign. Make a mini wreath from faux greenery garland. Hot glue it to the center of the frame.
7. Using a pencil, lightly sketch the letters J and Y on either side of the mini wreath. Use a fine tip paint brush and gray paint to paint over the pencil markings.
8. Hot glue a twine bow to the top of the mini wreath.

MORE FARMHOUSE-STYLE CHRISTMAS CRAFTS:

• Make mini wood sign ornaments from wood craft sticks and paint.
• Turn you favorite Christmas printables or artwork into mini poster hanger ornaments.
• Buy plain burlap stockings and decorate them to make these pretty farmhouse Christmas stockings with custom name tags.
• Add a rustic touch to your decor with these DIY yarn-wrapped Christmas trees.

DON’T FORGET TO PIN THIS CHRISTMAS CRAFT FOR LATER:

Interested in making more reverse canvas crafts? Give these a try:

• Tassel Tree Reverse Canvas Craft
• Reverse Canvas Christmas Ornaments
• Dollar Tree Fall Reverse Canvas
• Reverse Canvas Winter Window Craft