A Year of Chalkboard Signs: My Favorite Designs & the Stories Behind Them

Over the past year, that little A-frame sign outside the shop has turned into one of my favorite creative outlets. Every season, holiday, and local event found its way onto that board. From bright summer berries to cozy fall pumpkins to quiet winter snow. I never expected people to stop, smile, take pictures, or even walk inside because something I drew caught their eye, but it kept happening. These signs reminded me how much impact small, handmade details can have.

I wanted to share this collection not just as a look back, but as inspiration. Creativity doesn’t have to be perfect or complicated to matter. Sometimes it’s as simple as a blank board, a few doodles, and the courage to start. My hope is that these signs encourage you to try something of your own or notice the little creative moments around you, they really do make a difference.

“Hello Missoula”—My First Ever A-Frame Sign

My very first sign leaned into classic Missoula imagery. Mountains, trees, the M, and the river, which felt like a safe place to start. I was shocked by how many people stopped to look and take photos, and it was the moment I realized how much impact a simple handwritten board could have.

Summer Signs

“Go Griz” River Sign—A Summer Favorite

One of my earliest and still one of my favorites, this sign captured peak Missoula summer: sunshine, floating the river, and Griz pride. The little bear in the floatie became everyone’s favorite detail, and tons of people stopped to take pictures. It was the first time I saw how powerful seasonal energy is when designing.

Daisy Summer Sign—Simple & Sunshiney

This bright daisy-themed sign was all about clean, happy summer energy. The big white petals and warm yellow centers popped so well in the sun, and people loved how cheerful it looked on the sidewalk. It proved that sometimes the simplest seasonal designs are the most effective.

“Freshly Picked ”Styles”—Bright Summer Energy

This berry-filled sign was pure summer joy. Strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and raspberries made the whole board feel fun and vibrant, and kids especially loved pointing out their favorite fruit. The colors looked amazing in the sunshine and brought a lively vibe to the storefront.

Huckleberry Bear Sign—A Montana Summer Moment

This design celebrated the most iconic Montana summer duo: huckleberries and a cute little bear. The purple lettering and berry branches were so vibrant, and tourists stopped constantly to take photos. It perfectly captured that whimsical “Montana summer” feeling.

Fall & Halloween Themed Signs

Fall Branding Sign—Cozy + Seasonal

This fall sign leaned into warm, earthy tones with pumpkins, pinecones, and simple greenery. It was seasonal without being too busy, and customers described it as “cozy” and perfectly autumn.

Thanksgiving-Style Sign—My Most Detailed Fall Board

Packed with tiny illustrations like pie, wine, sunflowers, and a turkey, this Thanksgiving sign became an instant hit. People loved pointing out all the little details, and it brought a cheerful, festive feel to the sidewalk during November.

Halloween Sign—Cute & Colorful

This Halloween board was full of fun doodles, ghosts, pumpkins, candy corn, and stars. The bright colors and playful layout made it one of the most eye-catching signs of the season.

“Happy Fall Y’all” —Pinterest-Inspired Fall Sign

This one felt like a fall Pinterest board brought to life with mushrooms, leaves, acorns, and layered pumpkins. It struck that perfect warm and cozy autumn vibe people instantly connected with.

Winter & Christmas Signs

Christmas Forest Sign—Cozy Holiday Vibes

Filled with snowy evergreens, hand-drawn snowflakes, and soft winter colors, this Christmas sign had a warm, classic holiday feel. Customers loved the little snowman and stars, and it made the storefront extra inviting during December.

January Snow Sign—Winter Without the Christmas Overload

Early January is surprisingly hard to design for, but this quiet mountain-and-snowflake sign captured the calm, peaceful winter vibe perfectly. It was simple, soft, and a refreshing reset after the chaos of the holidays.

New Year’s Sign—A Fresh Start for 2025

This New Year’s sign was all about keeping things bright, celebratory, and fresh without leaning too hard into traditional holiday themes. The fireworks, sparkles, and soft gold-and-pink palette made it feel festive but still modern, and the message set a fun tone for the start of the year.

Special Events + Game Day

Game Day Sign—Saturday Spirit (Colors Faded in the Photo)

This sign was full of football-season energy with pom-poms, goal posts, jerseys, grills, beers, and footballs. The photo was taken after it sat outside for a while, so the colors faded — but originally it was bright and bold, and Griz fans loved it.

One-Year Anniversary Sign—A Celebratory Favorite

This celebration sign incorporated balloons, banners, champagne, cake, and sparkles to make the whole storefront feel like a birthday party. People stopped in all day to congratulate us, and it became one of my most memorable designs.

Key Takeaways

• Seasonal designs work because they match what people are already experiencing, when the sign reflects the mood outside, it instantly connects.

• Little details matter more than perfect execution; tiny doodles, color choices, and simple themes are often what make people stop and smile.

• Consistency builds recognition; updating the sign regularly keeps customers curious, engaged, and coming back to see what’s new.

• You don’t need complex artwork to make an impact; even simple ideas, when done with intention, can transform the whole storefront.

• Every sign teaches you something, whether it’s spacing, color, clarity, or what people naturally gravitate toward.

• The magic of hand-drawn signage is that it feels personal, warm, and human, and that’s exactly what makes it memorable.