We are in strange times with this COVID-19 Virus and all of us are slowly adjusting to a new way of being. Tomorrow is ANZAC Day here in Australia and there will be no going to dawn services to remember and honour all of those brave soles who have gone to war and kept us safe. So instead we are going to be standing at the end of our driveways and remember and honour them. So today I’m sharing how to paint and stamp an ANZAC Sign that we will be popping on our porch as a sign of we will always remember them.

How To Paint & Stamp An ANZAC Sign

Why Is ANZAC Day So Important to Australians?

After war broke out in 1914 Australia was federated nation but only for 13 years. So when Britain declared war in August 1914, Australia automatically became part of the Commonwealth. So many Australian and New Zealand soldiers were then sent to Gallipoli to capture Istanbul who was an ally of Germany.

ANZAC is short for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.

After landing at Gallipoli on the 25th April, the brave Australian Soldiers were met with an intense battle with the Turkish defence. By the end of 1915, the battle became gridlocked and over 8,000 Australian soldiers were lost. 

April 25th became recognised by all Australians as a day to remember the sacrifices these soldiers made for us.

We Will Remember Them

Supplies needed:

• Piece of scrap wood cut to however big you would like your sign
• Penney & Co. Collection – Picket Fence
• IOD Decor Stamp – Typesetting
• Fusion Mineral Paint – Bayberry – Sample
• Fusion Mineral Paint – Coal Black
• 120 grit sandpaper
• Fusion Mineral Paint – Prairie Sunset – Sample 
• Brayer
• Brush
• Fusion Mineral Paint – Fork Red Sample
• Fusion Mineral Paint – Clear Wax
• Baby Wipes
• Transfer sheet
• Round Brush and a liner brush

Step 1 – Give your piece of wood 2 coats of Picket Fence. Let Dry.

Step 2 – Line up your stamps face down your wood. Then using your transfer sheet pick up your stamps. Using your brayer load up the stamps with ink and apply to your sign.

You can use 2 transfer sheets joined up or just break up each word and stamp separately, marking with a pencil if needed.

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Painting Time – Using your round brush and watered down Fork Red, paint on the petals of the poppies. I found painting them not quite touching made the poppy seem more realistic.

Step 4 – Water down some Prairie Sunset and using your round brush dap on the centre of each flower. Then using some watered down coal black dap lightly around the yellow. Grab some bayberry and water that down also and add your stems and leaves. See my video above for more detail.

Step 5 – Grab your 120 grit sandpaper and distress to your liking. Using your wax brush, wax to seal.

Happy Painting!