Hey, Hey,

I made this sign the other day for my best friends new baby. Baby Leo! Who by the way is cute as ever.

This is the quick tutorial...

I painted the board red, and then green, and then I painted on a bit of yellow and blue.

I took some sandpaper and went over the edges to make it look worn, and then ran a black ink pad over the edges to make it look even more worn.

After all those layers dried it was time to add more. I punched out old newspaper into dots and then cut Leo's name from scrapbook paper. I decoupaged it all onto the sign. I like to use the matte Modge Podge because it seems to go with the old and worn look better.

Whew! okay what was next? Oh yes, it was time to outline the letters in red paint to make them stand out a bit more.

I nailed these super cool coconut shell disc beads onto the board. (I have another project with these beads coming soon, stay tuned.) I strung up some wood beads that I had added a bit of paint to and a big ol' ceramic star. I put a nail int the top on each side to hold the wire handle and voila my sign was finished.

I love mixed media! I need another play day to make things. Which reminds me, at the end of the month I am headed up to Chicago for the CREATE conference being held by Cloth, Paper, Scissors. I am going with my mom and we are going to play! I am not teaching, just going to have fun. There is a vendor night, I will give you more info on it later, that I will be selling my beads, buttons, etc at. If you're in the Chicago area, please come by and see me.

Have a great day,