Upcycled Home Decor with etchall(R)

We all love a good thrift store find, right?  I recently went in search of some items that I could put together for a fun home dec project.  I love the look of shabby chic and that allows me a lot of wiggle room when working with second hand items just waiting to get an update.  Read on to see what I found and how I made the etched mirror in the photo shown below.

You will need:  

Link:  http://etchall.com/store/products/etchall-etching-creme/

etchall(R):  etching creme, etchmask(tm) Stencil ComboPak, Squeegee, Detail Pick Tool

wooden charger plate

8" round mirror

beige cording trim

chalk texture paint

paintbrushes

tacky glue

glue gun

die cut machine

water bucket

paper plates

paper towels

Link:  http://etchall.com/store/products/category/etchmask/

Instructions:

1.  Paint the plate.  Set aside to dry.

2.  Follow the manufacturer's instructions and use die-cut machine to cut out chosen pattern.  Make sure to test on regular paper to get the proper fit before cutting from the etchmask(R).

3.  Clean the mirror and allow to dry thoroughly.  Remove the release paper from the etchmask and apply to the mirror.  Use the squeegee to remove air bubbles and get a firm adhesion to the mirror.

4.  Pour the etchall(R) creme onto the mirror.  The etchall creme shown in my photo has been used a few       times.  The creme will turn a dark brown color over time; but this does not affect the product's               effectiveness.  Make sure to put the creme back in the bottle after this use for another one later!  No     waste allowed!

5.  Spread the etchall creme over the surface of the mirror.  Set the timer for 15 minutes and let it "cook".  

6.  When the time is up; remove the etchall creme and put it back in the jar.  Rinse the mirror under running water, removing the etchmask(R).  The pattern will be revealed and the mirror is ready for the next step.

7.  Apply tacky glue to the indented area of the platter.  Center the mirror and press into the glue.  Press the cording into the glue and wrap around the mirror, covering the remaining space in the indented space.         Refer to photograph to finish.

8.  Spiral some cording into a 1-1/2" circle, adhering to a piece of cardstock.  Cut out; center and adhere to the bottom of the mirror.

I hope you got some inspiration here today. 

 Make sure to take the time to enjoy the small blessings along the way and,

Life Life with a Flourish!

Marilyn

I receive complimentary product in exchange

for my creativity on this blog.

Beautiful Decoupaged Boxes made Easy!

What do you do with inexpensive wooden boxes and some coordinating memory papers?  You create beautiful gift boxes with the help of Plaid's Mod Podge® medium!  Stick around for a minute and I will show you how I made them!  Pictured below are several boxes I created using the papers from one 12 x 12" paper pad.  I cut shapes out from the papers to embellish my box with.  I made my own paper spiral flowers; but you may choose to purchase flowers at the craft store instead!  That is OK!

You will need:

Plaid®:  Mod Podge® Hard Coat water based sealer

Plaid®:  Decoupage Brushes

wooden boxes:  4"; 4-3/4"; 5-1/2" (or your choice of size!)

memory papers:  12 x 12" coordinating pad of papers (or papers of your choice!)

ink pads & applicator sponges

flowers:  paper roses or mulberry blossoms purchased from the craft store

pearlstring:  faux pearls; 1/8" (cut apart)

glue

Tools:

paper trimmer

scissors

pencil

glue gun

water bucket

paper plates

paper towels

Instructions:

**  Before you start:  A tip I learned long ago is to NOT dip your brush in the jar.  Be sure to pour out small amounts on a paper plate as you use it.  This is to prevent contamination of your product.  Now, onward and forward!

1.  Choose papers for your project.  The Mod Podge® special brushes work great as there is no waste of product and they are easy to clean after use.

2.  Box top and box bottom:  Lay one flat surface of the box on the wrong side of  paper.  Trace around the box and cut out one piece for the lid and repeat for the bottom. Apply product to the wrong side of the cut paper and apply to the box.  Smooth out any air bubbles.  

3.  Measure the width and circumference of the sides of the lid.  Cut out strips of paper, matching patterns. Cut any notches where needed to fit the mechanics of the handle and hinges.  Apply Mod Podge® to the paper and adhere to the box following the manufacturer's directions.  Smooth out any air bubbles.  Once it has dried; apply top coats as needed. Your box will have a smooth, hard finish that you can easily keep the dust off of!

3.  Chalk the edges of the box using the ink pad and sponge applicator.

4.  Finish:  Arrange and apply the paper cut-outs to decorate the box.  Finish with another top coat.  Allow to dry; adhere flowers and pearls to the box as shown in the photo given.

Below is a gift I made for myself.  I used the coordinating papers as a background for my photo and placed them in a clear acrylic frame by deflecto®.  The box is a cute container just waiting for a stash of candy or other favorite thing I like nearby.

Designer Tip:  Use the coordinating papers and create some greeting cards that will fit in the box. This makes a wonderful little gift for any occasion.

I hope you got some inspiration here today.  Make sure to enjoy the small blessings along the way and;

Live life with a Flourish!

Marilyn

I receive complimentary product in 

exchange for my creativity on this blog.

Alter some Ball jars with Mod Podge(R) Colors and some fancy knobs!

Hi and thanks for stopping by the blog today!  Fix your attention on the far right of the photo at the top of the page and you will see the products that I used on my  jars to create a unique and colorful project.  I followed the manufacturer's instruction to apply the Mod Podge(R) in sheer colors to my jars.

You will need:

Mod Podge(R) Sheer Colors:  Pink, Purple, Green, Blue, Yellow
Ball jars
Ball plastic jar lids
Knobs with short screws
Washers (same size as screws)
Drill with drill bit to match the screw in the knob
Screw driver
Butcher Paper or plastic mat working surface
Paper Towels

First:  Pour just enough product into one jar to cover the inside with color.  Roll the jar around a bit to spread the medium to cover any bare patches.  Invert the jar onto a protected surface and let them drain.
Repeat for each jar and color.

I moved my jars around quite a bit.  Once the excess was drained off; I let them sit overnight.  The weather was nice the following day, so I laid them on their sides on the deck to let them get some air and dry faster.  I continued to roll them over periodically so that the color would dry evenly.  The whole process actually took several days.  You can't rush a good thing!

Next up....you will need some plastic ball jar lids and a drill with a drill bit to match the size of the knob screws.  I looked for knobs that had a short screw and bought washers to take up the slack if the knob wasn't fitting tightly on the lid.

Here are all of the jars complete with their lid and designated knobs!  Aren't they pretty?  They would be great for decor or as a container for a gift; but I have another purpose for these lovely jars.  They are going to be lights on my deck this Summer!  I will be adding some battery operated tea lights.........the end result will be in another blog post!

Hope you got inspired here today!  The photo below is a lead-in to my next project.  I am going to transform the tray with some more of my favorite Plaid(R) products.  Stay tuned for the next chapter!

Thank you for stopping by the blog today.  Be sure to take time to enjoy the small blessings along the way and;

Live Life with a Flourish!

Marilyn

I receive free product in exchange for

sharing my creativity on this blog.

May is for Mom!

May is the month to celebrate moms! 

 Deflecto frames and signs are the perfect surface to decorate!  A photograph is an obvious use for a frame; but I used this frame for a heartfelt message to mom!  Scroll down and I will tell you how I made it!

You will need:

Deflecto:  Purple Border Frame, 4" x 6"  #69573CR

Washi Tape:  black with white polka dots, 5/8" wide

Paper Flowers:  3 purple; 1", 1-1/8", 1-1/2"

Leaves: two 1-1/2" green

Pearls:  (cut from pearlstring) three 1/8" 

Cardstock:  White, one sheet

PicMonkey or other online digital design site

Scissors

Glue Dots :  1/2" Pop-Up Dots

Instructions:

1.  Design a mother's day message that will fit the 4" x 6" window of the frame.  I used PicMonkey.  They have templates you can use. I used white paper and designed digital message with a black background and white print. Print out on 8-1/2 x 11" cardstock and cut to fit the frame.  Insert between the panels.

2. I made my paper flowers and added a faux pearl to the center of each one.  If you don't want to make your own; mulberry flowers are easy to find in your local craft store and they are beautiful too.

3.  I applied washi tape to the top and bottom of the frame.  This is such an easy way to decorate the frames and sooo fun!

4.  Adhere the flowers to the lower edge of the frame as shown.

You might wonder about the gift bag sitting next to the frame!  I applied white dots to a black bag using a round sponge and acrylic paint.  I made a crepe paper fan and glued it to a 2-1/2" circle.  The closure is a wooden clothespin with a matching paper flower glued to it.  Isn't it pretty?  My inspiration for the frame was my gift bag!

Thanks for checking out the blog today.  Hope you got some inspiration and have a wonderful month of May!

Cheers!

Marilyn

I receive complementary product in

exchange for sharing my creativity on this blog.

Home Decor with Deflecto - Frame and Drawer Set

CREATE.  DISPLAY.  ENJOY....  

Deflecto products are perfect for event signage, storage, and home decor!  I consider each product a surface for creating something personal and unique!  There are so many possibilities!  I used a frame and a two drawer cube to make a fun set perfect for mom or for yourself!  I like to keep my nail polishes, hand creams, etc. next to my recliner where I relax and watch TV.  The two drawer cube is perfect for keeping small items nearby and at hand when I need them!  I also enjoy seeing the happy faces of my lovely daughter and son-in-law!

You will need:

Deflecto:  2-Drawer Cube #35010CR; Frame 8" x 10" #597901CR

Memory Papers:  12 x 12" coordinating papers from 48 sheet pad

Washi Tape:  1" wide white with gold polka dots

Adhesives

Glue Dots 

Paper Trimmer

Paper Punch:  1-1/2" round scallop

Scissors

Instructions:

1.  2-Drawer Cube:  Cut four 6" x 6" pieces from one sheet of memory paper.  Trim papers so that they fit the sides and top of the cube.  Use the Washi tape to connect the 6" squares to the cube storage.  Leave the bottom plain.

2.  Drawers:  Cut two 2-1/2" x 5-1/2" rectangles from contrasting papers to decorate the front of each drawer.  Place one rectangle on inside edge of the front of one drawer with the design facing out.  Apply a small piece of adhesive to (the right side) of each side and the bottom of the paper; then adhere the paper to the inside of the drawer.  Repeat for the second drawer.

3.  Cut two 5-1/4" x 5-3/4" pieces from a 3rd contrasting paper.  Place one piece in the bottom of one drawer; right side facing up.  Repeat for the second drawer.

4.  Embellish:  1" Paper Roses:   Choose a contrasting paper to make two spiral roses.  Cut a 4" circle from chosen paper.  Cut into a spiral.  Roll into a flower and adhere the top of the flower to the base.  It is an option to purchase paper flowers from the craft store.  I punched out a 1-1/2" scalloped circle from green cardstock and glued one to the bottom of one rose.  Repeat for the second rose.  Adhere one rose to each drawer as shown.  I used glue dots for this step in case I want to change the flowers.

5.  8" x 10" Frame:  Choose 3 contrasting papers from the paper pad.  Cut one 8" x 10", one 6-1/2" x 8-1/2", one 6" x 8".  Center and layer the papers from large to small.  Center a 5" x 7" photo and adhere to the top layer.  Place the papers between the panels of the frame.

6.  Finish:  Apply Washi tape to the top and bottom corners of the frame as shown.  Enjoy!

Thank you for stopping by the blog.  I hope you got some inspiration here today!

Take time to enjoy the small blessings along the way and,

Live Life with a Flourish!

Marilyn

I receive complementary product in

exchange for my creativity on this blog.