Life is Better At the Beach Upcycled cardboard art

Aimée here with this month's project. I apologize for the delay, life has been too busy lately and is showing my lack of time management, had started the project and then forgot about it. I sincerely say sorry for letting everyone down.

This month we are using the Beach Collection which is 20% off. I have to say this is my favorite collection so far. Love the colors!! Ok now to the project, I had a lot of fun creating this altered cardboard. Yes cardboard! I ripped a diaper box to use as a backdrop for this piece. I wanted it to look weathered and I didn't have any driftwood handy so here we go!

Step one, find some cardboard and rip it unevenly.

any good box will do! peel back the layers.

next blob on some white gesso as a base.

Spread it around with an old card to make a nice even layer.

What it looks like when spread, make sure you leave some areas of cardboard exposed.

When the gesso is dry take some Liquitex spray paint and spray the cardboard really close in a line, make sure you spray enough so it drips.

Hold the cardboard upright to encourage the drips.

While the first color is still wet, spray into it with white so they blend and let them drip some more.

Next I took some acrylic ink and dropped it in a few places and let it run as well.

You can spray it with water as well if you want it runnier.

The next step I took a skewer and scratched into the paint.

Next I cut out the orange starfishes and placed them on to see if I liked them.

 Here is the cool paper they are from.

Still thinking about the starfish I decided to add these cute shell stickers in a few random spots. 

Decided on the starfish and another sticker on the top. Glue down with your favorite glue.

I had to have my favorite mixed media supply on this, CHEESECLOTH that I use to dab paint with.

I glued this down with gloss gel medium for some shine and spread it on with a palette knife.

Spread it all over and leave some areas exposed without glue.

While that's still wet I dusted on some pink/green glitter.

While the gel medium is still wet take some dew drops and glue them on the cheesecloth.

Next I glued down some white glass beads on the shell stickers using E6000 glue.

I was sooo excited when I found the shells I collected in Passe Grille in St. Pete Beach. I glued those down with E6000 glue as well.

Here's what it looks like so far!

Next I decided to use the beach rub ons! Love them!!

Life is Better at the Seashore! Love the rub ons!

Mostly complete just need to add a way to hang it.

glitter!

Rub on starfish, glitter and cheesecloth. lots of texture!

I decided on some ribbon with some brass furniture tacks to hang it. Easy peasy!

I'm going to end up hanging this in my daughters room. Love how it turned out!

Be sure to check out all the other amazing projects on the blog! Hope this inspired you!

Aimée