• 2 cork tiles (30cm x 30cm)
• Ruler
• Pen
• Craft knife
• Computer and printer
• Sellotape
• Resene testpots in your choice of colours, Fleur used Resene Bondi Blue and Resene Pelorous
• Small piece of foam/sponge
• Optional – Resene Aquaclear clear finish

Instructions

Step 1:  Start by measuring out the cork tiles into nine squares, each 10cm x 10cm. Use a ruler and pen to draw the lines and a sharp craft knife to cut the cork. (Photo 1).

Step 2:  With a computer, type out the words “SHINE BRIGHT LITTLE ONE” and print this out on to standard printer paper. Fleur used font style ‘Arial Black’ in size 280. Use a sharp craft knife to carefully cut out each letter. (Photo 2). You could choose any words you wish to use.

Step 3:  Place one letter over a tile and use loops of sellotape to hold the stencil in place. With a small piece of sponge, dab it into a Resene testpot and wipe off any excess paint. Dab the sponge over the stencil so that the whole area is filled in with paint. Make sure you dab up and down rather than smearing side to side to avoid pushing paint under the stencil. (Photo 3).

Step 4:  Experiment with different Resene paint colours and reversing the stencil so you paint around the letter not inside it. (Photo 4). Allow to dry. Optional - apply Resene Aquaclear satin over the surface of each tile. This will give a smooth event surface and will make it easier to wipe the tiles clean.

Step 5:  Attach tiles to the wall and use as a noticeboard. (Photos 5 and 6). If you want to be able to move the tiles around you can use Blu-Tack.

Top tip:  For a wood grain effect, use Resene Colorwood in place of Resene testpots. Resene Colorwood is an interior wood stain that will colour the tile but still allow the grain to show through.

Project and images by Fleur Thorpe. March 2021.