Beachy Themed Wall Hanging Project

Happy Saturday Ladies!  Hope you are having a great weekend!  Today I wanted to share with you a little decoupage plaque that I made as a gift. It was such a fun and easy project, and I happened to have all of the materials on hand already.  How great is that?!

A couple of weeks ago, I showed you a birthday card using the same "bathing beauty" image, as well as a copy of vintage sheet music, titled appropriately "By the crystal sea."  I found both of these images over at the Graphics Fairy.  If you have never visited, be sure to check it out!  I have found so many wonderful images there, tons of great inspiration!  Anyway, I began with a piece of luan (it's like thin plywood, but nicer, I think).  Hubby cut me a bunch awhile back from a large sheet, and I had this piece left over.  You can find large sheets of luan at any hardware store, and get a ton of different projects from just one sheet, for not very much money!  Just make sure to sand the front & back, as well as sides before beginning your plaque.


First, I primed the back, then painted it with several coats of craft paint.  I am loving this color!  It's called "Laguna".  Love the name!! After the two coats (drying between each, of course), I used a bit of Ralph Lauren's antiquing glaze in  "Smoke".

Then I applied a thin coat of Mod Podge to the front, and added the copy of sheet music, smoothing out any air bubbles.  After that was dry, I added the bathing beauty image with more Mod Podge.

The sand dollar motif was from some scrap booking paper I bought when we went to Maui last winter.  I like to pick up fun things on trips that I can use in projects once I get back home, rather than just buying the usual souvenir t-shirts!  Anyway, I added another coat of Mod Podge over the entire front, and while that was still wet, I sprinkled on some clear coarse glitter by Martha Stewart.  Sorry, but I couldn't really get the glitter to show up in the photos!  When that was dry, I added one more coat.  I then used my handy dandy little dremel tool to drill a small hole in the top corners.  I then used some craft wire in an antique bronze tone, for more of a vintage feel.  I added two neat flower shaped buttons that are actually made out of coconut shells, that I found at a fabric store in Maui.  I didn't know at the time what I'd use them for, but I thought they were so cute I just couldn't pass them up!

Here's a closer look at a button. I just ran the wire right thru the holes.

I am lovin' the sand dollar!
Here's one more look at the finished plaque.

There you have it!  A fun project, to give or to keep!  And without spending a ton of $$$!
I am linking up with  The Graphic's Fairy for Brag Monday, where you will get lots of fun and inspiring ideas!