Building the ENTER Sign

Hey guys! Many of you asked for a STEP by STEP of the ENTER SIGN seen in the videos and at Preview events so here you go:
Materials:
12″ Chipboard letters (JoAnn’s or Hobby Lobby)
Round chipboard boxes (JoAnn’s or Hobby Lobby)
1 panel of high density foam insulation board, 2″ thick
Red latex house paint
Silver metallic spray paint
Jigsaw, fine tooth blade
Hacksaw blade
2 strings of Christmas or patio lights
Painter’s tape
Loctite Power Grab All Purpose Construction Adhesive, clear
 
EZ Steps:
1. Carefully cut off the front of the letter using an Exacto knife. Use this as template to layout the light bulbs. NOTE: You can buy any letter, A through Z, to spell or make a sign for “Registration” or “Welcome” or whatever you’d like!

2. Spray paint the inside and the edges of the letters with a silver metallic spray paint.

3. Cut the high density foam board to 2’ X 8’.
4. Center the letters and round boxes on the board allowing about 2 inches between each letter. Lightly score a few lines around them to mark their place on the board.

5. Create a triangle at the bottom by striking a 45 degree angle from the bottom left and right corners of the board. This triangle will make the point of the arrow.

6. Measure 2” from either side of the top letter. Strike a line to the bottom left corner of the board and another to the bottom right corner. This will form the left and right side of your sign. (You’re basically drawing the sign around the letters.) Freehand the curve at the top.

7. Remove the letters and round boxes. Using a jigsaw, cut out the sign. If needed, use a hacksaw blade to finish the cut. Sand or file the sides to smooth out any rough edges.

8. Using construction adhesive, position and glue the triangle/arrow in place. Construction adhesive can also be used to fill in the space – like spackling – between the triangle and the arch.
9. Paint the whole thing with red latex house paint. Use the same paint for the outside of the letters.
10. Measure 1″ around the outside edge and tape it off with painters tape.

11. Spray paint the outside edge silver. Be careful to protect the middle ground of the sign using a scrap piece of cardboard or drop cloth.

12. Mark and cut out the holes in the letters and round boxes for the light sockets using an Exacto knife.

13. Remove the painters tape. Use the construction adhesive to glue the letters and round boxes back into place. After the glue dries, use an apple corer, or a 3/4” drill bit, to cut the holes through the board for the light sockets.

14. Take the bulbs out of the light strand. Starting at the top of the sign and the end of the light strand, use your thumb to push the light sockets through the back side of the sign. Bring the socket flush to the inside of the letters. NOTE: Guide the socket through the hole with your index finger—just be sure it’s unplugged first!) Screw the light bulbs into place.
15. Tape off any unused light sockets and tape the loose cords to the back of the sign. Also, tape the easel to the back leaving one leg free.

Plug it in and have a great VBS!