FREE U.S. SHIPPING $75+ • FREE GIFT $100+ view →
Home / Step-by-Step Tutorials / 🌊 Beach Vibes on Wood: Create a Coastal Sign with Stencils & Turtles 🐢

🌊 Beach Vibes on Wood: Create a Coastal Sign with Stencils & Turtles 🐢

Featuring Sharon Hankins

🌊 Beach Vibes on Wood: Create a Coastal Sign with Stencils & Turtles 🐢

Hey friends! If you love coastal decor and simple upcycling projects, this one is such a fun and relaxing make. 💙

In this tutorial, Sharon Hankins of I Restore Stuff shares how to create a beautiful wooden beach sign using the April Stencil of the Month and coastal transfers. Her style is all about easy techniques with stunning results—and this project is no exception.

Let’s jump in!

Table of Contents

DIY Wooden Beach Sign

Materials:

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep Your Surface
Start by preparing your rectangular wooden board. Make sure it’s clean, smooth, and completely dry before beginning.

Step 2: Create the Sandy Base
Using a dry brush technique, lightly apply yellow paint to the bottom portion of the board to mimic the look of sand.

Tip: Dry brushing is key for that realistic sand effect—use very little paint for better texture and control.

Step 3: Blend the Shoreline
Lightly brush white paint just above the yellow area, blending slightly to create a soft shoreline effect. Allow everything to dry completely.

Step 4: Add Your Stencil Design
Position the “Beach is Calling and I Must Go” stencil from the April Stencil of the Month at the top of your board. Using a stencil brush, fill in the design with an off-white paint.

Step 5: Apply Coastal Transfers
Cut out your desired turtle designs from the Coastal Rub-on Transfer Set. Place them along the bottom section of the board and gently burnish using a transfer tool until fully adhered.

Step 6: Seal Your Project
Apply a protective sealer over the entire board. This will enhance the wood grain and help preserve your design.

Helpful Tips:
  • Always let paint dry fully before sealing to avoid smudging.
  • Use light layers when stenciling for crisp, clean lines.
  • Less paint = better results when dry brushing.
  • Arrange transfers to tell a story—like turtles heading toward the shoreline!

Final Reveal

This coastal sign is such a simple way to bring relaxed beach vibes into your home. Whether you're decorating for summer or just love ocean-inspired decor, this project is easy to customize and make your own.

Watch the Full Tutorial

Prefer to follow along step-by-step? Watch Sharon create this beautiful coastal sign from start to finish in her full video tutorial below! 💙

✨ Ready to create your own? Grab the Stencil of the Month and explore our Coastal Transfers to get started!

And don’t forget—you can follow Sharon for more inspiration at I Restore Stuff. 💙

Also in Step-by-Step Tutorials