Surfs Up Acrylic Phone Stand

Hi there, Clear Scraps friends - my name is Maureen (Mo)!  I'm so excited to be crafting with you on the Clear Scraps blog this season!  For my very first project, I thought I'd "dive" right in with a phone stand that's perfect by the poolside on summer days.

I saw the Vintage Acrylic Phone Stand and thought it looked like a surfboard shape - and decided to go with the "flow".  After removing the protective plastic film from both sides, I began to paint an ocean wave on the bottom of the stand.  I've used 2 different colors of water-based blue acrylic paint, as well as a blue sparkle and a white.

The wave is easy to paint - starting with the lighter blue, I formed the letter "C" then arched it around to the edge.  I came across the base, making squiggly lines underneath.  Then, I came back over it a couple times with the brush to give it different shades.

Next comes the darker blue - I just made the same arching motion in certain spots over the lighter blue.  This gives the wave dimension.  The cool part of this project is if you don't love what you've painted, the acrylic just wipes off with a baby wipe or soap and water so you can start again!

I came back over the wave and dropped white dots in certain areas with the end of my paintbrush.  This is made to look like foam from the surf.  Once this was set, my final touch is to add squiggles of blue glitter in select spots on the wave.  Repeat the process for the base of the stand, and let dry.

Using a sparkly turquoise vinyl, I cut the letters "surfs up" on my electronic cutting machine.  Laying it down on the acrylic is easiest with transfer tape - rub the letters on that first, then the surface of the stand.

My goal was to take this phone stand out to the pool with me, so I wanted it to be a bit water-resistant.  And, a surf theme isn't complete without hibiscus!  Oh my stars...I am in LOVE with the Hibiscus Border Stencil!  It makes a beautiful image when sponging with distress inks.

Sticker paper was a good choice for the pool area.  Sponge the flowers through the stencil on to the sticker paper, let the ink dry on the paper thoroughly, then fussy-cut the flowers out.  These are then applied to the top of the phone stand!

Now, if you want to make sure the designs last, you can spray the phone stand down with a finishing sealer.  If you do, tape off the slit at the bottom of the stand so it's not sticky each time you insert the base piece.

I think this project came together "swimmingly!"  Perhaps I'll take it out to the pool for a test run now.  I highly recommend you "surf" the Clear Scraps website to see all the phone and tablet stands available to decorate.  Thanks for getting Mo' crafty with me, friends!

Mo (Maureen)

Other supplies used:  light blue, white, blue sparkle and dark blue acrylic water-based paint, Cricut Joy shimmer teal vinyl, adhesive sticker paper, Ranger Distress Inks (Tumbled Glass, Chipped Sapphire, Squeezed Lemonade).