Pirate Ship Step Stool

You can check out this project and others with the links below

This is a step stool that I worked on along with talented woodworker, Gary Daniel. He built the two part creation so that it could get shorter as the child gets taller. I thought that was brilliant!! His daughter showed us the shower curtain that she wanted to match and away we went. Ships Ahoy!!!

        http://youtu.be/MD6BNpJzuik

Start with your wooden object. Prime it, sand it and then paint it the colors that you want. 

To get the lettering placed perfectly, I used carbon paper to mark it in place.

I made photos of the image on the shower curtain, then some computer skills to change them  around a bit.
Check out copyright laws before using someone else's artwork and designs!!!
Then I used an Exacto knife and scissors to cut out around the images.
I made "mirrored/flipped" images so that I could put one on each side of the stool.

Carefully apply glue or decoupage medium to the back of the image.

I painted a "water" area on the stool with acrylic paint and waited until it was totally dry. I made sure that where I placed the ship wasn't going to be covered up by the wooden bottom layer of the stool. (Notice it's been removed for this part of the application?) Apply your image very carefully to spot on your work surface. Be careful to put it exactly where you want it and wipe away any air bubbles. Use a paint brush to apply more glue/decoupage medium over the entire surface of the front of the image. Brush the glue and extend it past the image atleast 1/8" so that it seals it totally. You don't want air gaps between the paper and flat surface.
Follow the instructions on the bottle of glue/decoupage medium for more information.

To make sure that you are happy with the placement of things, use chalk or removable tape to line it in first.
They can be changed much easier than painting something over again!!!

I chose a 3D wooden pre-painted craft item that I found at the local craft store. It was perfect to finish this piece with. I painted in the island and glued on the palm tree. It nicely added to the layered look that the stool already had from the levels. I also chose to "rough" up the edges of the wood by sanding them down to give this a "worn" look. I coated the artwork and  painted surfaces with a matte finish sealant because this is going to be in the bathroom & needs protection. 

And here's the back view of finished piece.
A very happy little boy is now enjoying this and will be able to grow with it too.