We got these two blank signs to work with, and I decided we need some new home dec signs. We are big travelers, so I wanted one to celebrate that, and I wanted something to make with my little nieces for the holidays.

I stained one board (the travel sign) with the regular classic version of the walnut stain, and the winter sign with the fast dry version. I did find them both easy to use. I think I liked the fast dry better - the depth of color was better after one coat than the regular even after 2 coats. It was nice to have it done in one coat, and I liked how it went on better than the Classic

For the Fast Dry stain, you only put one coat on, wipe off the excess, and let dry. With the regular, you put on one coat, wipe off the excess, let it dry, then do a second coat, wipe, dry. The second coat is optional, but I went for it because I really wanted to see what the difference in color would be. As you can see in the last photo, even with the second coat, the Fast Dry came out darker than the Classic.

I used makeup sponges because I didn't have a sponge brush handy, and that worked out fine. Be sure to properly protect your area - use a plastic liner and wear your rubber gloves.

NOTE: Both of these stains had very strong smells, so be sure to use only in a properly ventilated space and put the boards somewhere ventilated to dry - my kitchen smelled strongly of stain for a couple days ;)

NOTE 2: Be sure to be very thorough about wiping off all the excess stain or it won't dry fully and will rub off on things.

Travel Sign:

Once dry, I used a piece of chalk to free-hand sketch my words on it until I got a script I liked. I found painting it VERY difficult for some reason and I had trouble with getting proper coverage. So the sign is not as neat or pretty as I would have liked, but overall I think it's ok and suitable enough for my house ;)

Winter Sign:

Forewarned by the difficulty of painting the first sign, and because I wanted this to be a family project for the kiddies, I got some pretty woodland animal and snowflake stickers, painted a wash of snowdrifts and some 'art moderne' trees, and let them go to town with the stickers. The girls really enjoyed making something nice that their grandparents will be hanging in their home for the holidays!

Home Decor Signs - Travel and Winter