Yesterday's Signage - a how-to

I had someone ask me how I made yesterday's sign. It was easy, though I did it in a time-consuming way (husband-to-be was doing his homework, so I took the opportunity to make a stencil using the font I wanted); here's how it happened, if anyone else is feeling crafty:

1. I got a piece of scrap wood laying around the husband-to-be's work area. It was small and square; maybe 6"x6" - if you don't have random pieces of wood hanging about, a bit of cardboard or foam board could work for you, I'm sure
2. Paint the front, back, and sides of the board flat black - let dry completely
3. If you've never used crackle paint medium before, that's the whole secret to that beaten-up, weathered look. I used this Weather Crackle Glaze, but it was on sale for $15 at the time. Any craft or paint supply store should have some kind of crackling medium (craft stores should sell smaller, cheaper bottles - you don't need much if you are just doing a few crackling projects)
   • use the crackle medium per the instructions
   • this usually involves painting in long strokes, all going the same direction, no more than one coat (don't 'overwork' the medium by painting in small strokes or layering it on thick - one light but complete covering will more than work for you)
   • Let dry completely
     
4. Paint a light layer of white acrylic/laytex paint on the face of your board with a brush. Let dry completely. This will crackle as it dries, becoming awesome.
5. Make yourself a stencil, or use a stamp, or whatever you're feeling to get your image on your board. Feel free to download an reproduction of the image I used here.
• I used a text editing program to size and place my fonts, the printed it out
  
• I coated the paper in Modge Podge (on both sides) and let it dry before cutting my design out, to give the stencil more strength (and so it wouldn't get as damp and pull apart, since my letters were so fine
  
• Cut out the letters, CAREFULLY, with a craft knife. Cut out only the inked letter shape. If you are using your own font, remember to leave the insides of letters like 'o' or 'a' connected to something
  
6. Stencil your design on carefully, using a stencil brush. Let dry.
7. Using a damp rag or sponge, dip the tip in black paint. You will buff from the edges to darken the outside, creating more of a grunge affect. Always start from the edge and work your way in; when the paint is thickest, if should be on the outside - as you work your way in, you want a lighter, more watered-down look so that it blends.
8. Let this dry, and you're done.
   

Ta-da! Not the quickest project, but very easy.