Last Name Sign

 I have had an idea rolling around in my head for quite a long time - my BFF just got married and for her bridal shower I wanted to give her a handmade gift that she would cherish.  I thought of a last name plague to hang above their door or in their house somewhere (or in a closet if they don't like it). 
So, here is how I made it:

 My original plan was to use a rectangular piece and router the edges, but on a trip to The 'Will I found this piece for $2.  The shape is nice and I wouldn't have to do any cutting or use the router, so I gave it a go. 

 Sand it

 I had some paint laying around, so I gave it 2 coats.  It was the perfect color, neutral and it just so happens that their wedding colors are grey, burlap, and purple. 

 I played with fonts and sizes until I found what I wanted.  Then (not pictured) I printed them as a mirror image (it was in the print properties).  I worked with one piece at a time and got the paper damp them scraped it with a credit card so the image would transfer (I saw this idea on pinterest).  This do not work very well for me - next time I will try a different method.  Since the words were barely readable, I used a paint pen to go over everything. 

 LOVE it!!  But, it looked a little plain. 
I love the est. 2012!!  I was going to put their wedding date, but planned on making a different sign (still haven't done it) with their date, so I just went with the year.  

 So, I distressed it a bit.  I applied some random stain to the exposed wood to give it an older look, then coated everything with a few coats of poly. 

 The bride to be opening her gift. 

The bride to be and groom to be ... now bride and groom, with their sign.  

I love the result but I don't like how other colors of paint show at the distressed parts - but, they love it (or so they say) and that is all that matters.

What do you think?  Would you make this for a gift?