How to Make a Cruise Travel Sign

How to make a cruise travel sign to keep or gift.

Materials and tools

• Wooden letter (I used white wood 12-inch letters to spell “cruise”, but you can make any word you choose).
• Acrylic paint (I used Folk Art Acrylic Paint and Americana Acrylic Paint)
• Assorted scrapbook or decorative papers, stickers, and embellishments
• Mod Podge Glue
• Paintbrushes (I used disposable foam brushes so I didn’t have to wash them.)
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Tape
• Clear coat spray (optional)
• Hot glue gun
• Hot glue sticks

What kind of sign will you make? Your imagination is the limit!

How to make your cruise travel sign:

Making this decorative sign is pretty straightforward. Find some inspiration, whether that be a color inspiration, a pattern, or a theme. Gather your materials and begin putting your sign together.

Step by step

1.  When using scrapbook paper, place the letter on top of your paper to make sure it fits and find general alignment. Then, flip over the paper and trace it from the back. I did this step backward and had to go back to the store for more paper.

2.  Next, use scissors, cut out the letter along the line, and completely remove the lines.

3.  If you are not covering the letter with paper and will be painting your letters, use two thin coats of acrylic paint. Allow the paint to dry completely in between coats. Sand if necessary. You may need to lightly sand the letters for the paint to stick, or sand to remove any imperfections in your paint job.

4.  What other options do I have for covering the letters? Cut out paper shapes, or use stickers, or embellishments to decorate your letter. Consider items like buttons, glass beads and jewels, or even glitter.

5.  Use Mod Podge to adhere the paper shapes, stickers, and embellishments to the letter.

6.  Allow the Mod Podge to dry completely.

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8.  To adhere paper to wood, “paint” the letter with an even layer of glue or mod podge.

Tips for making your travel sign with ease:

•  Use whatever colors you like for your letter and decorations.
• Have fun with the project and be creative!
• Cover your work area with a drop cloth, or newspaper, or throw away a tablecloth to protect your furniture and clothing.

How to use a hot glue gun ( full tutorial)

Putting your sign together

1. Paint the wooden letter with two thin coats of acrylic paint. Allow the paint to dry completely in between coats. Sand if necessary.
2. Cut out paper shapes, stickers, or embellishments to decorate your letter.
3. Use Mod Podge to adhere the paper shapes, stickers, and embellishments to the letter.
4. Allow the Mod Podge to dry completely.
5. If desired, apply a clear coat spray to protect your sign.

Helpful glue gun tips

Tips

Always use hot glue guns in a well-ventilated area. The fumes from hot glue can be harmful if inhaled.

Hot glue can be used to adhere to a variety of materials, but it’s not always the best choice. For example, hot glue is not a good choice for adhering materials that will be exposed to high temperatures or moisture.

If you’re using hot glue to adhere to small pieces, it can be helpful to use a toothpick or skewer to apply the glue. This will help you get a more precise application.

Cautions

Conclusion:

This cruise travel sign is a great way to show off your love of cruising in your home décor. It’s also a fun and easy project that you can do yourself even at times when you can’t travel. So what are you waiting for? Start crafting today! But how will you decide? Will you keep it for yourself or give it away? Let me know on our Facebook page.

FAQs

 1. What are some other materials I can use for the sign?

You can use any type of material you like for the sign, as long as it’s sturdy enough to hold up the decorations. Some other popular materials include wood, cardboard, and foam board.

 2. What are some other ideas for decorating the sign?

There are endless possibilities when it comes to decorating the sign. You can use paper shapes, stickers, embellishments, fabric, or even photos. You can also get creative with the placement of the decorations.

  3. What type of paint should I use?

Any acrylic paint will work for this project. However, if you want your sign to be durable, you may want to use a water-based polyurethane sealant over the paint.

 4. How do I protect my sign from the elements?

If you want your sign to be able to withstand the elements, you can apply a clear coat spray to it. This will help protect the paint and decorations from fading and peeling. Heads up: it is not advised to keep this sign outside. It may be okay under a covered porch or inside your She-Shed.

 5. How long will this project take

The amount of time it takes to complete this project will vary depending on your skill level and how much time you have to devote to it. However, it’s a relatively easy project and can be completed in a few hours.

6.  How do I best keep my sign out of the elements?

If you want your sign to be able to withstand the elements, you can take the following steps:

• Apply a clear coat spray to the sign. This will help protect the paint and decorations from fading and peeling.
• Store the sign in a dry place when it’s not in use.
• If you live in an area with extreme weather conditions, you may want to consider hanging the sign indoors.

 7. Where can I get ideas for signs?

There are many places where you can get ideas for signs. Here are a few suggestions:

* **Online:**

There are many websites that offer tutorials and inspiration for DIY travel signs.

* **Craft stores:**

Craft stores often have displays of travel signs that can give you ideas. (I take pictures of signs I like or want to recreate.)

* **Pinterest:**

Pinterest is a great resource for finding travel sign ideas. Check out Gallivanting Soul’s Pinterest boards for crafting and travel inspiration.

* **Your own travels:**

If you’ve been to any interesting places, you can use your own photos and souvenirs to create a custom sign.

* **Look to Instagram:**

On Instagram, you can search for hashtags related to travel signs and home decor. #travelsigns. You can even start or join an Instagram Photo Challenge.

Do I have to make a cruise sign?

NO! My sign was for travel because that’s what I like, but your sign can be anything you can imagine!

Need help to hang your sign? Check out: How to hang anything and everything on your walls.

Planning a cruise? Start here:

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