Decorative Arrow

I don't know if you've noticed this or not, but arrows are sort of a thing now.  As is chalk paint.  So, makes sense to play with both, right?!?

First off...chalk paint.  Chalk paint is the best!  It allows for you to do so many things with it.  Seriously, the possibilities are endless...You can paint, distress, layer, stain and paint, wax...and it's so easy to do because you don't have to be perfect with each stroke, like you do painting.

At first I was a little intimidated with all the options so I started slow and easy!  I took several scrap wood pieces that I had laying around.  I had to do a little cutting to get the angles that I needed but for the most part, the pieces I had were perfect.

Next, I stained these a dark walnut.  After these dried, I painted them with one layer of Rust Oleum Chalk paint in White Linen.  Once this dried I took a 80 grit sanding block and gently sanded each piece all over.

I honestly had no idea what it would look like...To my surprise the finish came out to look exactly like old windows that I have from my parents' old barn.  These windows are over 80 years old and have endured Michigan weather, farm animals, a fire...80 years worth of wear and tear.  So to match the finish almost perfectly was pretty amazing...That's what I mean.  This stuff is awesome!

So once my excitement over the finish subsided a bit I went about attaching these pieces together.  It would have been easier with a brad nail gun but since that's still on my wish list* I connected these with wood glue...The arrow seems to be sturdy enough but I'm not throwing it about carelessly either.

The wonderful thing (or not so wonderful) about using scrap wood pieces is that sometimes things can be uneven...So, in order for the arrow to sit level it has to be pointing left.  Shhh...no one will even know!
 
*I have since purchased a Ryobi Brad Nailer and my life has changed...seriously...CHA-ANGED!