BEACH SIGN HOME DECOR by Susanne

Hi, everyone! My name is Susanne and I am so proud and happy to be part of the new STAMPlorations mixed media design team. Today it's time for my first ARTplorations mixed media tutorial.

I am a fan of home decor and I love creating it on my own. Of course, there are many pretty pieces you can find in stores, but I really like it if each creation can tell something more than just bought decor products. I'll give you some step-by-step instructions on how I created this beach sign wall decoration:

First of all, I started with a piece of balsa wood and primed it with a thin layer of gesso. If you use too much gesso, you will lose the wood look.

When it was dry, I applied some Gelato colors (chocolate and iced chai) and blended the colors with a wet baby wipe.

To add texture, I used the Some Birds stencil and a clean wet baby wipe to remove some of the Gelato color through the stencil.

I also used the Shutters stencil to add more pattern.

I definitely needed more interest, so I stamped some sentiments as well. I used the Subway Art Builders: DARE with some coffee Archival Ink. I stamped the sentiments randomly and three times with one layer of ink.

My letters are cut with the Silhouette Cameo out of white cardstock.

I cut the flip Flops with the Silhouette Cameo as well.

To give the flip flops some texture, I used the Nestled Circles stencil and some gesso. I also painted the edges with gesso and a sponge.

I punched holes with the Crop-A-Dile to adhere the ribbon.

Here are some more images of the finished piece. I used the Crop-A-Dile to make the
holes to hang it onto the wall. They are reinforced with eyelets.

And here is another reason that makes the creation even more special: everybody will have a closer look to read what the flip flops say! I stamped the two sentiments onto banners with coffee Archival Ink. By the way, I added some "sand" to the flip flops and to the shells with Distress Embossing Powder "weather-worn".

ARTplorations Products:
Shutters Stencil
Some Birds Stencil
Nestled Circles Stencil

STAMPlorations Products:
Subway Art Builders: Dare

Other supplies:
Noor! Design Dies (Banner,Shells, Starfish, Lighthouse and Gull)
Patterned Paper by Folia
Ribbon
Twine
Eyelets
Gesso
Balsa Wood
Archival Ink (coffee)
Gelatos (iced chai, chocolate)
Distress Embossing Powder (weather-worn)