With a new school year under way, new teachers abound, and one of my faves who is teaching her own preschool class this year is my sweet friend Charlene. She is loyal and funny and beautiful and kind and generous, and I am thankful to know her.

So, when I heard she is having a “Clifford” theme in her class, I set to work!

I googled the big red dog and found a great image to use. I looked for one that had a white background and would lend itself to a name board.

After painting a canvas board black, I cut out the printed-out image and mod podged it right onto the black background!

Then I freehanded the lettering with white and red paint pens… But to keep it simple, you could print out those letters too, or do it ransom note style: cut them out of magazines in a variety of sizes!

To add a hanger, I duct taped grosgrain ribbon onto the back of the flat canvas panel.

And then–not that anyone’s going to be flipping it over for a look at the back but–I glued on piece of cardstock, cut to size, leaving about a quarter-inch border of canvas around the edge.

And then I added a little red gingham washi tape as a border to the back cover. I love a lovely hidden detail! [And the cardstock was just the spot for a quick note to my friend!]

The only thing I did not like is how the inkjet-printed image looked a little wrinkled once smoothed onto the sign, even though it is smooth…

So it got a quick coloring-in with the red and outlining with the black paint pens to be ready to roll!

I hope my friend enjoys this as much as I enjoyed making it for her! [You deserve it, Charlene!!]