Holiday Countdown Message Board

Transform an old frame into an Advent calendar or a holiday message board.

By Kierste Wade, Brown Paper Packages
Filed under: Christmas, Crafts, How To

Materials Needed:

window or frame
painter's tape
newspaper or other paper

spray paint
vinyl letters
optional: ribbon, paper flowers and miniature pearls

Paint the Frame

Start by removing the glass. Paint the outside part of your frame first. Consider using two different colors of paint and layering the colors. When you sand and distress, the bottom color shows through and makes it look weathered.

Distress the Paint

Once the paint is totally dry, you're ready to sand the frame to create a distressed look. You can either use a piece of sandpaper or a hand sander. If you want to create a more distressed look so that the bottom paint shows through, sand quite a bit of the first layer of paint off. Use a damp rag and wipe off all of the paint dust.

Cut and Add Vinyl

Next step is to cut out and add your vinyl. You will be cutting it (or ordering it) it in reverse since you will be adding it to the back of your frame. Make sure you don't skip that step, or it will not work. When your vinyl is ready, add it to the back of the glass.