etch'Y'all a spooky plaque for Fall!

Still finding shade for that picnic, right?  Not to rush the good times of summer; but Fall is just around the bend!  For those of us who love to craft; we have to stay ahead of the curve!

I went on a treasure hunt at my local Goodwill a couple of days ago.  I am always on the hunt for something that I can make into a fun etched project.  I found this frame and made sure that it had glass in the frame and not plastic.  I added a few embellishments to finish off the project.  I really like the way it turned out!

If you have never etched before or need to brush up; watch this video by Barbee! Click here! Getting started

You will need:

etchall®: etching creme, squeegee, etchmask Stencil Combo Pack

Click on this link to find products!  etchall®

Frame:  6" x 10-1/2" matted frame for 3 pictures

Memory Paper:  12" square with Fall theme  (I used orange pattern)

Paper trimmer

Die-cut machine to cut letters

Embellishments:  Halloween theme

Clear liquid adhesive

Paper Towels

(Water close by to rinse project)

Instructions:

1.  Remove the glass from the frame and separate the mat from the back panel.  Clean the glass.

2.  Cut memory paper to fit the cardboard insert that goes behind the mat.  The reverse side of the mat I used was black.  If you  want to change the color of the mat it can be painted with acrylic paints or covered with memory paper.

3. Cut the letters to say BOO. on the die-cut machine.  Use the transfer paper to hold the letters in place.  I cut the letters 2" high.  Cut on a scrap of paper before cutting from the vinyl to make sure the letters will fit.

4.  Place the mat over the glass to make sure the placement will be correct for the vinyl letters.

The most challenging part is to get the vinyl letters completely straight.  This step takes a little more finesse!  

5.  Apply etchall creme to the glass following manufacturers instructions.  The creme will turn brown after several uses; but that is OK!  Make sure to scoop it back up and put it in the jar after you are finished.  It will be good for more uses!  I use the squeegee for that step.  After removing as much of the creme as possible; take the glass to the sink and wash all of the excess creme; remove the vinyl stencils; then dry.

6.  Once you have cleaned and dried the etched glass; assemble all of the parts to the frame.  Finish by adding the embellishments.  I chose to leave the glass clear for the letters and frost the rest of the glass.  You can also do this in reverse for a different look!

Thank you for stopping by and checking out the blog today!

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

Live Life with a Flourish!

Marilyn

I receive a small stipend for

sharing my creativity on this blog.

Make this Patriotic Lamp for Summer Entertaining

Summer is almost here and it is time to start thinking about 4th of July parties and patriotic decorations.  etchallR has this very cool lampshade that can turn most bottles, jars, etc. into a decorative lamp.  Read on to find out how I made this one!

You can find the lampshade and etchallR products at http://etchall.com/lighten-up-kit/

You will need:

• etchallR:  Lighten Up Kit; dip 'n etch (pattern for shade in kit)
• 2 quart jar
• burlap: red
• fusible web
• iron and ironing board
• bead trim by the yard: red
• ricrac:  red and blue
• chalk paint:  red, blue, white
• painters tape
• paint brush:  1" flat
• cardstock:  vintage white
• clear glitter
• tacky glue
• 1" star punch or die cut
• glue gun
• milk jug, cleaned out and top cut off (or container the right size to etch your glass)
• scissors
• ruler
• pencil

Instructions:

1. Unpack the lampshade kit.  Remove the pattern from the shade.  Spread out.
2. Press the fusible web following manufacturers instructions onto the burlap.  Trace around the pattern onto the paper side of the fusible web using the pencil.  Cut out. Remove the paper.
3. Adhere the ribbon side of the trim to the (wrong side) bottom edge of the shade.
4. Adhere the ricrac to the bottom edge of the (right side) of the shade.  Adhere ricrac to the top edge of the shade.
5. Stars:  Punch out and apply glitter to the 1" stars.  Allow to dry. 
6. Etch:  Refer to manufacturers directions (and photo shown below) to etch the jar. Clean and dry.
7. Use the ruler to measure from the bottom of the jar and make a mark at the same measurement around the perimeter of the jar.  Wrap the painter's tape around the middle of the jar; following the marks.  It is easy to get the tape on at an angle and you want to keep it straight.
8. Paint the bottom of the jar blue.  Let dry thoroughly.  Remove the tape and apply another row of tape along the top edge of the blue paint.  Tape off any other area that you don't want painted.  Paint the top area white.  Let dry.
9. Remove tape; glue ricrac around the middle of the jar as shown in photo given.
10. For the shade:  Screw the lid back on the jar.  Adhere a wooden spool, dowel or candle cup to the top of the lid.  Make sure that it is the right size to fit in and activate the lamp.  If it is too tall, make a hole in the lid to shorten the length of the spool. Read the instructions for turning the lampshade on and off.  Adhere the stars to the shade.

Supplies

Refer to manufacturer's directions and etch the jar.  I turned the jar upside down and weighted the top to etch the top of the jar as my receptacle wasn't large enough and I used the entire bottle of dip 'n etch liquid.

**IMPORTANT:  Return the dip 'n etch liquid back to the original bottle after use.  It will turn a dark color but is still good for more use. 

Follow instructions given above to paint and finish the lamp.  Below is another photo of the finished lamp and shade.  It is ready for my summer activities on the deck.  This is the perfect little light to create some ambiance after dark.  I hope you are inspired to make one for yourself.

I hope you are enjoying spring and looking forward to a great summer packed with activities.

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

Life Life with a Flourish!

Marilyn

etchall provides product and a small 

stipend in exchange for my creativity.

Romantic Country Bottle Decor with etchallR

Have you ever tried to paint on glass?  It can be a little tricky getting the paint to stay without being scratched off.  The glass is slick and doesn't hold the paint!  Well, there is a product that will solve that problem for you.  It is etchallR dip 'n etch liquid!  Stay tuned here and I will show you how it is done!

I purchased a hobnail clear glass bottle at the craft store.  It didn't come with a cork; so I re-cycled one from a bottle of wine and it worked perfectly.

To complete this project, you will need the following:

etchall:  dip 'n etch liquid; etchall creme; etchmask, etchall squeegee

Click here to check out the website! http://etchall.com/

clear hobnail bottle

cork from wine bottle

chalk paints:  vintage white; light teal

ribbon:

flowers:

charm:  white rose on silver filigree 3/4"

pearlstring:  one yard

cabochon:  one 1" round faux pearl

rhinestones:  clear *optional

scissors

paintbrush:  1"flat

water container

paper towels, paper plates

low melt glue gun

die cut machine

doily die 

black Sharpie marker

Instructions:

1.  To etch the bottle:  Cut the top off of a liter soda bottle.  After washing the hobnail bottle; fill it with water and set it in the liter bottle.  Fill the plastic bottle with water up to the top of the glass bottle.  Use and permanent marker and make a line on the bottle at the water line.  Remove the bottle and dump the water from the plastic container.  Fill up to the marker line with the dip 'n etch liquid.  Put the bottle into the container.  The dip 'n etch liquid should come up to the top of the bottle.  Set the timer for 15 minutes to let the etchall do it's job.

2.  When the timer goes off; remove the bottle, dump out the water and wash in soapy water.

Pour the etchall dip n' etch liquid back into it's container.  It is good to go for another day!

After a few uses, the dip 'n etch will change from clear to a darker color.  It is still good to go!!

3.  For the mirror:  Die-cut the doily from the etchmask.  Remove the release paper and adhere to the center of the mirror coaster.  Use the etchall squeegee to remove any air bubbles and to make sure it is solidly adhered to the mirror.

4.  Follow the instructions given on the etchall etching creme and apply liberally to the mirror using the squeegee.  Set the timer for 15 minutes.  When the time is up; use the squeegee to replace the etching creme in it's container and it is good to go for another project.  The creme stays good even when it turns a dark color.  You can use it over and over.

The photo below shows how the glass pieces will look after etching.  Now comes the fun part!  The bottle now has "tooth" to adhere the chalk paint when you apply it.  No chipping, slipping or scratches!

5.  Paint the bottle light teal. Apply 2 coats if needed.  Allow to dry.  Apply some vintage white paint to a dry brush and lightly rake it over the sides to give it a slightly distressed look.  Allow to dry.

6.  Cork:  Cut an inch off of the wine cork.  Discard.  Place the cork in the bottle and pencil in a line on the cork at the lip of the bottle.  Adhere pearlstring to the cork by wrapping around the sides to cover the visible part of the cork.  Adhere the cabochon to the top of the cork.

7.  Embellish the neck of the bottle with the ribbons, charm, pearlstring and flowers as shown.  

You may want to personalize it with items of your choosing for a different aesthetic that matches your taste.

8.  Place the bottle on the coaster for a pretty, reflective, decorative finish!

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you enjoyed this project.  My daughter has a wedding coming up and I thought this bottle would make a nice bridesmaids gift.  I would put a personal note inside the bottle to make it personal for each bridesmaid.  Of course there are other things that it could be used for too!

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

Live Life with a Flourish!

Marilyn

*I accept a small stipend for this post from etchall for my original design.