Beach Sign Knock Off and a Summer Decor Linky Party

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Get ready for some Summer Inspiration with my beach sign knock off as well as a fun summer decor link party below. You can join in today and link up your summer decor projects at the bottom of this post. For now, lets grab a paint brush and get started on some summer decor of our own. I am knocking off a Ballard Designs original today and can’t wait to share my secrets with you. Don’t be intimidated! I am going to show you some super simple methods for making this sign that anyone can replicate. I posted originally about this beach sign on Crafts Unleashed but wanted to put it here in case y’all missed it.

Ballard Designs Knock Off Beach Sign -- a great technique for getting a rusty appearance on a painted sign easily. You probably already have the secret ingredient in your kitchen!

First, lets look at my inspiration piece. It is from Ballard Designs and the website actually says the sign is stretched canvas over wood. So yes, my version is painted on canvas just like the original. The original version is 15″ x 30″ and is priced at $179. I know I can beat that price!

Supplies needed to make your own Beach Sign Knock Off:

18″ x 24″ Canvas ($10.97 for 2)
Graphite Paper ($1.97)
Black Paint ($0.77)
Blue Paint ($0.77)
White Paint ($0.77)
Spray Sealer ($5.87)
Cinnamon ($1.00) (yes you need cinnamon for this project!)

TOTAL = $22.12 (and this is plenty of supplies to make two signs if you wish)!

Now lets dive right into our canvas and start painting. You can actually mix the blue with a little black to make the color darker. I actually made a custom blue by doing just that. Start at the top of your canvas and begin painting a solid blue. Don’t forget the canvas edges as well. While your paint is STILL WET, apply a little black with a very dry brush and spread across the top. That will make a few dark areas. Keep your inspiration picture handy and try to mimic where the dark areas are on the original. It is important to do this while the blue paint is wet.

Do the same thing with a dry brush and some white paint. Again, I picked a few areas that were light on the original sign and brushed on white paint while my blue was still wet.

While you are waiting for your completed canvas to dry, pick a font on your computer that mimics the original inspiration. Print your BEACH letters as large as you can while still fitting on the canvas. I used whole sheets of paper and taped them together to fit.

Once you are happy with your letters and their placement, put your graphite paper under your copy paper.

Trace around each letter and the graphite will transfer your letters to the canvas.

Now you can just color in the lines with white paint. There are a few tips and tricks to remember here. These letters do not have to be perfect. Our original inspiration is a very rustic sign so do not worry about getting your lines completely straight. Use a dry brush with very little paint. Again, it is OKAY if a little of the blue is showing through your letters. We are making a rustic sign.

Now we need an arrow. I actually took some copy paper and made an arrow template that I felt was the right size for this canvas. I used it as a guide and painted inside of it following the same tips and tricks as given above for the letters.

I then free handed a line all the way around the outside edge of my canvas in white.

Then I painted freehand four of these rough circle shapes. I loved how the original appeared to have rusty holes where it had been hanging somewhere for years. Since I had room, I put four of these holes on mine instead of just two. Allow your entire canvas to dry before continuing to the next step.

Now it is time for our secret ingredient…cinnamon. No, I am not crazy. Cinnamon makes a really lovely rust on any surface. Plus, it is so super simple to use, so lets give it a try.

Spray small areas of your sign with the sealer and while it is still wet, sprinkle with cinnamon. You can play with different techniques on different areas. For instance, on my “bolt holes” I sprinkled the cinnamon on the wet sealer then took my finger and traced the circle. So the “rust” also comes out looking circular!

Try a light dusting of cinnamon in some areas. It gives the appearance that the “rust” is just starting to peek through the paint. Other areas of the sign I really dumped on the cinnamon to give large “rusty” areas. You can also experiment with the spray, sprinkle, spray technique. Spray on your sealer, sprinkle on cinnamon, then immediately spray again. This gives a whole other look to your “rust” techniques.

Keep layering on sealer and cinnamon rust until you are happy with your finished sign. You can control just how rustic this sign gets. You can go over the same area multiple times if you are not happy with your results the first time. When you are finished, give your completed sign a few really good coats of the spray sealer right on the top. Allow the entire thing to dry and you are ready to display your rustic sign creation. I would say this looks pretty good especially for 12% of the original price. Order some canvases today and stock up on cinnamon. You will want to use this technique over and over again once you get the hang of it.

Now are you ready to link up your summer decor projects? Today I am joining the following ladies to find the best summer decor around:

Recreate and Decorate

Town and Country Living

The Happier Homemaker

Party Rules:

1. Please link up any project, old or new, that relates to the party theme: Summer Decor. Any links not related to the theme will be deleted.

2. Please include the party button or text link on your post OR share the party via Facebook or Twitter to help spread the word!

Summer Inspiration at The Country Chic Cottage

Now grab a button above then link up your fabulous summer decor projects! Guess who will be pinning from this party this weekend? Yep this girl!! Get in your fabulous ideas now!