Lately I’ve been painting signs in addition to painting furniture. This is a sign I made for a friend’s new grandchild. I used a combination of hand painting, image transfer and decoupage to create a shabby chic weathered look for this baby announcement.
For the image transfer I used Mod Podge. Below is an example of how i created the image transfer.
This isn’t the image I used for the baby sign, but I just wanted to show you an example of what I use. This image came from The Graphics Fairy website. She has such wonderful images that are copyright free. This is one of some French Typography. Notice how the image is in the reverse. When you are doing an image transfer, you need the typing to be in reverse so when you apply it to your surface it comes out correct. If it’s just an image you don’t need it to be in the reverse. You want to cut out your graphic as close to the image as you can, trying to leave as little white showing as possible. This was printed on regular white printer paper from a laser printer.
After cutting out your image, you want to apply it to your surface. In this case, I had used a tin box that I had painted with chalk paint. Use a foam or a chip brush to apply the Mod Podge to the front of the image, not the back. Make sure you press down firmly and get out all the bubbles and wrinkles. Let this dry overnight.
When it’s ready, you will take a damp/wet sponge and press it over the image. Then, you will start rolling off the excess paper and leave the image behind. You have to do this carefully and slowly at first, making sure you are not taking off the image. It takes a little practice, but when you get going its really addictive! You’ll know all the paper is off when there is no more white haze over the image. I use either Mod Podge to seal this or a Polycrylic.
I used this wonderful chalk paint from Pure & Original for this project. I had painted the wood I used for the sign black first, and then I used the color Aged Paper over it. I sanded it very well with my palm sander to get a weathered, dry brushed look.
I hand-lettered the name, date and statistics of the baby. I just used black acrylic paint and a long thin brush to paint the lettering. I use carbon paper and I trace the outline of the lettering and then fill in the outline. For the black and white images I used the image transfer process above.
The color images of the roses, etc I also found on The Graphics Fairy website. I cut them out using a small scissor and applied them using Mod Podge as well.
After everything was dry, I used the Mod Podge as a sealer over the entire sign.
I attached some vintage pink ribbon to the hardware on the back and it was complete!
Let me know what you think!
wild sparrow designs 
I think this is an excellent gift for the new baby! A wonderful keepsake!
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Well thank you so much Peggie! 😉
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I love it! My daughter is having a baby girl in July — interestingly enough, they are thinking of naming the baby Quinn! Can I order one of these when I know all of the important information ? The “theme” they are using is a sort of outdoor, girly camping theme– sort of girl meets the Maine woods — whatever that means! Give me the details about time frame, cost, size, etc. So excited to see such a nice, personalized gift for my new grand daughter!
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Wow!! How exciting, congratulations! How funny is that!!? Of course I can make you one! I will message you all the info and I’ll send you some ideas for the girly camping theme! Love that!
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I love it! I use chalk based paint from Heirloom Traditions and their 1Gel decoupage gel. Great mixed media project. I hope it’s okay to post on my FB page (805and818ChalkBasedPaintInfo)
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Hi Diana! Thank you so much! Sure!
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very cute. I always get a thin line around my transfer which I hate. I have tried transferring with gel medium as well as polycrylic and it is always the same. I have tried acetone transfers and an iron. Nothing works really well 😦
Also keep in mind when you have a laser copy done from a color printer (copy place) the paper is thicker so takes longer to rub off. If doing an acetone transfer you NEED thicker paper from a color printer. That process does NOT work with thin blk n white copies as the ink gets absorbed into the paper and does not transfer. Do date, the only transfer that works is with gel medium yet with that thin outline when transferring lettering.
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Thanks for the info!Yes, there is a bit of a line sometimes with the mod podge too, but it doesn’t bother me too much. I have been doing these kind of transfers on terra cotta pots as well and you don’t see the line at all! I haven’t used the gel medium yet but I would like to experiment with different kinds of mediums!
Thanks
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oops meant to say TO date not do date LOL
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Love this – do you need to use a laser printer???
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Hi Carolyn!
Thanks so much!
No you can use an inkjet as well!
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