STAMPlorations Beach Sign Tutorial

Hi everyone!

Today I'd like to share a step by step tutorial, which I did last year as my debut over at the ARTplorations blog.
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 loose the wood look.

When it's dry I apply some Gelato colors (chocolate and iced chai). I blend the colors with a wet baby wipe.

To add texture I use 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 shoes 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 shoes are telling! 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)