DIY Scrap Wood Fall Sign

DIY Scrap Wood Fall Leaf Sign

It’s Shara from Woodshop Diaries and I’ve been on a roll lately with scrap wood projects (remember the scrap wood caddy?) Today I have another fun project to help you get ready for fall! It’s a super easy DIY Scrap Wood Fall Leaf Sign.

I’m ALWAYS in the mood for fall because it’s my favorite season! I know it’s August, but in just a few short days the calendar will flip to September! Time to get a head start. This simple project is great for decorating your house. Instead of a leaf, you could make a turkey, pumpkin, or whatever you want!

Materials:

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Scrap 1/4” plywood (my piece was 11 ½”x11 ½”)
Scrap 3/4” plywood (should be same size as your ¼” piece)
1″ x 2″x 5′ board
Jig Saw
Drill
1/4″ Drill bit
Sandpaper
Miter saw
Tape measure
Nail gun (or hammer and nails)
Wood glue
Leaf stencil (Grab one from a Google search)
Stain and/or Paint

Cut List:

1/4” x 11 ½” x 11 ½”
3/4” x 11 ½” x 11 ½”
(2) 3/4” x 1 ½” x 11 ½”
(2) 3/4” x 1 ½” x 13”

Instructions:

Step 1: Cut your plywood to size

Cut your 1/4” and 3/4” piece of plywood to the same size. (Mine are 11 ½” square, but if you have larger or smaller pieces of scrap, feel free to alter the sizes. The only rule is to make sure your 1/4″ & 3/4″ plywood scraps are the same size.)

Step 2: Cut out your leaf shape

Perform a Google search for “leaf clip art” and make your own stencil from a leaf print out.

Trace your leaf shape stencil onto the 1/4” piece of plywood, making sure it is centered. (Ignore the fact that I didn’t cut out my plywood square shape first.)

Using a large drill bit, drill a hole into the middle of the leaf shape.

Insert your jig saw blade into the pre-drilled hole.

Cut out the leaf shape.

Sand the rough edges with sandpaper.

Step 3: Stain or paint pieces

Paint or stain the pieces at this point. For the same look as mine, stain the 1/4″ plywood and leave the 3/4” piece unfinished. This will allow the leaf shape to stand out against the dark stain. In addition, you can paint the ¾” piece, or stain it a different color. Use your own creativity to finish your DIY Scrap Wood Fall Sign.

Step 4: Glue the pieces together

Glue the 1/4” plywood cut out to the 3/4” piece of plywood.

Clamp the two pieces together as the glue dries.

Step 5: Add the frame

Once the glue is dry, cut pieces of 1″ x 2″ to fit around the edges of the plywood art. (Measure yourself or use the cut list above). Attach using a nail gun or hammer and nails.