LOVE Farmhouse-Style Sign

I'm using 1/4" Baltic Birch Plywood.  I get mine on Amazon and they come in 12x12" panels.  I'm ripping it to 5" wide.  So total, it's about 12"x5"

I like to pre-sand my plywood before scrolling.  We have to sand it a bit later anyway, so you could skip this step if you want.  I'm only doing 120 grit.

You'll need to tape together your pattern.  Just hold it up to the light and align your two sheets together and tape it.  Once taped, I applied it directly to the plywood with spray adhesive.

I took it to the drill press and drilled some pilot holes.  I like to approach the line in the corners, so I try to get my pilot holes near that.

Then we take to to the saw and start cutting out our pattern.  My go-to blade is a #3 scroll reverse blade.  There is a lot of waste area, so you can easily notch out the sharp corners.

Once everything has been cut out, I spritz everything down with mineral spirits.  It softens the glue and you can easily pull the pattern away.  Then I wipe it down in case there is any glue residue.

I'm using a 2x4 and cutting them into 1/4" strips.  It doesn't have to be exact.  This provides lath/shiplap style strips that are 1/4" thick and 1.5" wide.  Length just needs to be long enough to cover the back of your sign.

Since I want a rustic/farmhouse style, I want to age these strips.  I use a rotary tool and roughly soften and gouge the edges.  I don't want it to look perfect.  I want it rough.

I painted each of the strips in pinks, purples, reds....ya'know, Valentine colors!  I just use the cheap craft paints you get at the craft store for less than $2 each. 

If you want to order some, here's a nice set.

With red craft paint, I painted the inside of the letters.  I'm not too concerned if it gets on the front of the project because we'll sand off that paint in step 13.

With some 120 grit sandpaper, I sand away some of the paint on the lath strips.  I just want to expose some of the wood on the edges and rough it up a bit.  This gives it a nice aged and distressed look.

With some wood glue, I adhere the strips to a backer board that matches the sign we cut out.  (12"x5")

Again, with 120 grit sandpaper, I give the front a sanding, mostly to clean up the messy paint job.    I only want the inside of the letters to be red, not the face.

Pour yourself a coup of tea.  I'm using black tea to add some color and and splotchiness.  This gives the strips an aged look.  The tea back broke open for a bit, so I let some of the leaves just sit and dry.  Then I brushed it off after.  It adds a nice touch.

Back at the scroll saw.  I just cut off the pieces that extend beyond the backer board.

I'm using wood glue to glue on the sign to the backer.  Don't get too close to the inside of the letters.  You don't want to have to clean up any glue squeezeout.  I used clamps to add some pressure, but you can set a big encyclopedia on it (do they still make those?).

For the frame, I'm just using butt joints.  I think it looks nicer for farmhouse-style projects.  I'm using Oak because I like the wood grain.  I painted it red, because....Valentine's day.  But you can use whatever you have on hand.

Now to clear coat it.  Any clear acrylic spray would work here.  I prefer Deft Wood Finish, though.  I pick it up at Fred Meyer's, but I'm sure you can find it locally too  Not as common as Krylon or Rustoleum, but certainly not obscure.  I'd choose a satin finish.

Add a wall hanger and sign the back.  Then you're done!