Have you tossed a DIY project in the trash before finishing?  Your thought is, “It’s ugly!”  Or, “That’s not what I was expecting it to look!!”  Or worse, “What will friends think of this thing!!!”

These thoughts cross my mind more than I want to admit.  But this time I persevered and I’m glad it did.  I hope you think so too.

DIY Sailboat Decor

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Goofy side story

Many years ago I made and sold home decor items.  To my surprise, my creations sold well.  I created a lighthouse from an old spindle.  Yes, I’ve been obsessed with spindles for years.  Mike is always supportive but he scratched his head over the lighthouse.  He didn’t think it would sell.  I took the lighthouse to a local shop.  Each week my job became to dust the lighthouse and find another way to display it proudly.  This continued for several months.  Then one day I walked in and the lighthouse was gone.  I often wondered if Mike brought the lighthouse.

I’m worried this project is a lighthouse.

The candle holder

I bought this wall candle holder for a dollar at a local thrift store. Only to toss it in my I’ll do something with it someday pile. While looking for something else a lightbulb went off. I have the perfect project idea.

I took the candle holder apart and sanded the spindle and base.

Scrap Wood for Shiplap

Next, I dug through the scrap wood pile. Finding several pieces of different widths. I cut the pieces to be different lengths too. A small piece was cut into a triangle.

Then using the table sander I rounded the end to an arch.

Plus rounded the edges all around the boards.

Then I used my favorite wood glue and made a sailboat shape. The different widths give a shiplap-look to the boat.

Aging and Painting the Sailboat

Next, I used tea and vinegar to aged the wood.

At the point, I looked at the wired boat shape and almost tossed it in the trash.

Do I see this thing to the end or toss it?  I wasn’t sure but decided paint would help.

Before painting, I used dark wax {my homemade dark wax} as a resist to give the boat age and a shiplap deck. Using a small artist brush I made lines on the deck with dark wax.  You can see I predrilled a hole for the mast

Now for the paint.  I used mud paint in Manor white.  I love the color.  It’s like a pure white that has been bleached by the sun.

I painted the boat with a thick layer of paint and placed it outside in the hot AZ sun. Know what it did?

It turned a chippy paint finish in some areas. This happened in thick areas where the top of the paint dried faster than the paint underneath. It’s a fun thing about mud paint.

Anyway, I grabbed a piece of sandpaper and sanded the deck to reveal the shiplap planks. Also sanded the edges of the boards to enhance the shiplap-look.

I drilled holes in the bottom of the boat….yikes it’s gonna sink! Anyway. The holes are for the base. A dollop of glue holds the sailboat on the base and another dollop holds the spindle mast.

Note: I love then vintage farmhouse look of wood thrift store items with a basic wood finish that has been sanded. It looks sun bleached in areas and darker in other areas.

The Sail and Flags

For the sail, I cut a triangle piece of drop cloth. Then cut it in half.  I frayed the edges.  Then added metal white eyelets to the corners.   The spindle mast holds the sail with small nails.  I used the threads to tie the sail to the mast. I was going to use small eye hooks for the sail, but I didn’t have any.

Next, I wanted a banner of small flags.  I cut four rectangles from the drop cloth and pulled more threads.

I folded the rectangles and cut diamond shapes.

Then, I used a pencil to draw lines on a couple of the flags.  Then used craft glue to hold them on the threads.

As I’m hoisting the sail and flags I’m starting to smile. Then I giggle. Now, I’m laughing out loud. I like my little sailboat.

I like my little sailboat.

Displaying the sailboat decor

I gathered seashells and added a chalkboard to the mantel to help show the sailboat against the white walls.  Rope, a spool of twine, an ampersand, and other favorite items that fit the colors finish the mantel.

I’m still laughing.

It’s the morning of a new day and the sailboat still makes me laugh.

You can see the swimsuit chalkboard displayed on the mantel with other nautical decor projects here.

I had to share this photo from a reader who created a sailboat using the steps above…and her’s came out even better!  This is why I love DIY!  😀

Let me know in comments below, is mine a lighthouse??