Love Sign Knock Off -- How to paint letters on a sign

Voting is still open this week on So You Think You're Crafty -- head on over and vote for my conference tote bag!

  Are y'all ready for all the details on my Love Sign Knock Off?  I am oh so happy with this project.  I searched pinterest for some love project inspiration.  I found a sign I fell in love with but...$300!!  YIKES!  My love project became an attempt to knock off that sign on a pint size budget.  I made mine completely with things I had on hand.  Yes free to me.  My love sign knock off...

Here is the original and my version side by side.  My version is almost exactly the same size as the original.  However, mine is three boards versus two.  By using three boards, mine is made with standard size lumber so that anyone can make one for themselves at home.  All you need for the letters is a printer, a pen, a ruler, some paint, and some patience.

I started with a little help from hubby.  We used some leftover lumber from building a barn.  Cut it to size where it would be approximately square.  My version is about 28 inches by 30 inches.  Very close to being square but not quite.  :)

We added runners on the back.  So it basically is assembled like a pallet would be.

I then painted it white.  It took about 5 coats as the lumber absorbed A LOT and bled through like this....

But I eventually got a nice even white coat.  Now for those letters.  This tip came from this source via pinterest and I heart it!!  Print out your words with any old printer the size you want them.  Lay them on your wood sign and trace around them.  For this sign, for example, I would trace the "H" measure and move my paper and trace the "E" measure and move my paper and trace the next letter, etc.

That will leave a slight indent where you want to paint.  Genius I tell you!  I wanted rustic letters.  So I used a very dry brush and left all of those natural imperfections....

Each letter is unique.  No sanding required. 

To me it looks more worn and less "forced" than sanding...

I loved how on the original the letters landed on the middle of the separations between the boards.  So I measure carefully and had mine come out the same way.  The measuring for the letter placement was the hardest part.

I am so happy this one got me through one more week of SYTYC!  Plus I am beyond thrilled with how this one turned out!

After some thought, I will be selling this sign -- just one time no duplicates will be made.  If you are interested drop me an email!  

Posted at Show and Tell on Blue Cricket Design.

Posted at Whatever Goes Wednesday on Someday Crafts.
Posted at What I Whipped Up Wednesday on Sugar and Dots.
Posted at Good Life Wednesdays on A Beach Cottage.
Posted at the party on Organize and Decorate Everything. 
~Thanks for stopping by!~

~Angie~
The Country Chic Cottage

Read More

Love Sign Knock Off -- I need YOUR vote!

Yep I made it through last week on So You Think You're Crafty.  So I am back with another project and another plea for your vote!  This week is love week.  I searched pinterest for some love project inspiration.  I found a sign I fell in love with but...$300!!  YIKES!  My love project became an attempt to knock off that sign on a pint size budget.  I made mine completely with things I had on hand.  Yes free to me.  My love sign knock off...

Here is the original and my version side by side.  My version is almost exactly the same size as the original.  However, mine is three boards versus two.  By using three boards, mine is made with standard size lumber so that anyone can make one for themselves at home.  All you need for the letters is a printer, a pen, a ruler, some paint, and some patience.

I will have a full tutorial on how you can make your own love sign on my blog after the voting ends.  Including the painting details on these rustic letters....lovely rustic letters that prove it does not have to be perfect to be beautiful!

Head on over and vote for me...pretty please!  Then come back next week for all the details on this project.
UPDATE:  A full tutorial can be found here -- ENJOY! :)

 Posted at Get Your Craft On on Today's Creative Blog.

Posted at Take a Look Tuesday on Sugar Bee Craft Edition.

Posted at Tip Me Tuesday on Tip Junkie.

Posted at Tutorials and Tips on The Stories of A to Z.
Linking up on the party at The Nester
~Thanks for stopping by!~
~Angie~
The Country Chic Cottage  

Read More

Hive Vase -- West Elm Knock Off

I love a good knock off!  I just love to create something out of a catalog!  I have never even seen a West Elm catalog until lately.  And welllll...I just had to make a vase...

I knocked off these West Elm Hive Vases.  I loved the white ones!!  Ready to make one of your own??

You will need a vase.  I already had a vase that I spray painted white some time back.  So I decided to give it some flair.  Don't have a white vase?  Break out your Krylon on any old vase first! 

Now for the magic!!  Get a dimensional writer in white.  It is made by DecoArt and you can find it at Hobby Lobby or any craft store I am sure.  Mine was $1.99...

I cut a hectagon shape (hive shape) from cardstock and taped on a "handle"...

I found it easier to start on the bottom of this particular vase because the top was so rounded.  I made the first set of points and sides all the way around.  Miracle would have it that it came out almost perfect.  Fudge it if it doesn't or make that the "back" of your vase.  :)

Now after that you really can't use your guide.  The hectagons (or hives) are all going to be different sizes because your vase is not the same shape from top to bottom.  So I freehanded the rest.  Just connect your sides using a triangle, draw more sides off of that, connect with triangle, and continue on...

Now I put another layer of Krylon on top after the dimensional paint dried.  I think it make the hive pattern look more like it was a part of the vase and not puff paint.  Then I took black craft paint and mixed it with a little white to get dark grey.  I used that color around the lip of my vase...just like my inspiration piece....

Also the inspiration piece had areas of grey on the hives.  So I mimicked that with a brush and paper towel.  Paint on and wipe some off.  Just every now and again on the vase.  Not hitting every hive...

All that was left was to pick some marigolds and do a photo shoot....

My hive pattern was large like the green vases.  You could totally do smaller hives like the white vases.  Just be prepared to be there a while.  :)

I do love the subtle detail that the dimensional paint gives the vase...just enough but not too much...

Have you made any knock offs lately??  Ever scoured West Elm??  Or do you stick with Pottery Barn?

Posted at Show and Tell on Romantic Home.

Posted at Frugal Friday on Shabby Nest.

Posted at Frugalicious Friday on Finding Fabulous.

Posted at Feature Yourself Friday on Fingerprints on the Fridge.
Linking up to Funky Junk Interiors.

~Thanks for stopping by!~

~Angie~.
The Country Chic Cottage

Read More

Ballard Designs Knock Off Numbered Tags

This was first published on The CSI Project...but in case y'all missed it...here ya go!!  I made faux metal tags out of clay and paper!!  How??  Read on for a full tutorial!
One of my favorite things to do is to knock off the latest home decor catalog looks!  So when the latest Ballard Designs catalog came I combed it cover to cover for ideas.  And yep I came up with some knock offs!  One of those was knocking off the Ballard numbered tags!  I feel in love with the galvanized metal beauties!  I can't wait to teach you how to make your own!!  Here is my version...

The original numbered tags can be found here....

Lets get to crafting!!  The original Ballard versions are cut from metal.  But I had a whole other plan.  For my version I used clay!!  Yep!  Get the kind you oven bake...

The color doesn't really matter.  Something neutral will be best.  I did this light tan.  Roll it out thin.  I would say 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick...

Then I already had this stencil.  I would use whatever you have on hand.  Or make your own with the silhouette, cricut, or an exacto knife and card stock.

My pack of clay had tools with it.  I laid my stencil on top and then cut around it with the tools provided.  A knife would work just fine I am sure.  Be sure to leave plenty of room around your number for the "tag" portion.

This is what it looks like all cut away...

Then cut your "tag" shape around the outside edge of your number.

I just free handed the tag shape.  The Ballard original had angles on the top corners so I added those...

Use a straw to make a hole in the top of your tag.

Now bake your tag according to the package directions...

When we are through, only the edges of the clay will show.  So I painted my edges in gray to help them blend in...

Now how are we going to make this look like metal??  Well if y'all have not already seen it, you really need to read Carolyn's Homework faux rust can tutorial.  It is brilliant!!  You print images of metal from here and mod podge them on...brilliant right??  I picked an image I felt would be similar to the Ballard original and printed it in color.

Then set your tag on top of the printed sheet and trace around it with a pencil. 

Use an exacto knife to cut out around your lines...

You will need to make a cut out for the front and the back.  We don't want our hang tag to look like clay on the back!  Then break out your mod podge...

Mod podge the metal images to both sides and let dry.  Insert your cord just like the original and you are ready to display!

The metal images work so well it is truely amazing!

I chose a "5" for mine because there are "5" members of our family.  You can choose whatever number or combo of numbers are meaningful to you...

And don't forget the back so you can fool people from both sides...

And the reason to put a little paint on the edges is that they are left uncovered...

The image I chose was just slightly rusty looking...you can of course choose from the dozens of image to get the look you desire...

How about we end with another comparison??

Ballard Original....

The Country Chic Cottage version...

Are you ready to print your metal on paper yet??  :)

Posted at Transformation Thursday on The Shabby Chic Cottage.

Posted at Show off your Stuff Party at Fireflies and Jellybeans.

Posted at the under $100 party on Beyond the Picket Fence.

Posted at the Open House Party on No Minimalist Here.
Posted at SNS on Funky Junk Interiors.
Posted at the Weekend Wrapup on Tatertots and Jello.
Posted at Sunday Showcase on Under the Table and Dreaming.
Posted at the Knock Off Party on Sew Dang Cute.
~Thanks for stopping by!~

~Angie~

Read More