DIY: Removable Decorative Window Frame

Posted on September 3, 2013 by Roeshel

DIY MAGIC WINDOW ART TUTORIAL

As a member of the Lowe’s Creative Ideas network, I’m participating in the September “window treatment” challenge. I was provided with a Lowe’s gift card to complete my project…addressing this bathroom window:

Our main floor bathroom has a window that sits high up (no one can see in and the view out is of the treetops). The window is not framed. I’ve tried a curtain on this window, but with it sitting so high above the toilet tank, it just doesn’t look right.

This project would be great for window privacy too!

Materials I used:

1×3 pine boards to create a frame
Flat corner brackets
Gorilla Wood Glue
Wood filler
White paint (leftover Valspar Signature in satin finish)
Picture frame hanging hardware
Screen (36″ wide)
FrogTape
Staples
Stencil
Craft paint
White vinyl table cloth
Vinyl decals

Removable decorative window frame:

I started with creating a frame for my window using the 1×3 boards, corner brackets, Gorilla Glue, wood filler and paint. It’s best to miter the joints, add glue to the joints and brackets (be sure that screws are not longer than depth of frame). Fill joint lines with wood filler and lightly sand once dry. Prime/paint frame.

Cut screen to fit inside the wooden frame with enough room to fold under borders and to staple to the back side of the frame.

Stencil a design on the screen and let dry. I used Cutting Edge Stencil’s Allium Gladiator Flower Stencil (it sort of looks like dandelions and butterflies). FrogTape was essential in working with the screen by holding it flat and in place. Once paint is dry, staple screen to back of frame.

You may think to stop here but when I hung the frame (in the daylight), the stenciled design wasn’t visible. It simply looked as if I only framed the window.

So I cut a piece of white vinyl table cloth to size (a bit bigger than the inner space of my frame with an extra inch around the borders to staple it into place) then I added vinyl decals to the white tablecloth. (I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut out a bike and quote.) You could also try a light colored/patterned fabric or paint your own design on canvas…just remember that your stenciled screen will show when it’s dark outside.

I stapled the white tablecloth into place.

Simply hang on nails using the sawtooth picture hangers. Easily removable – as simple as taking a picture off the wall.

Before…

During the day, the bike and quote show up…

and at night, the stenciled screen shows up as well…

It’s easily removable for when I want to open/access the window and lets in a lot of light during the day. Yay! Love the result…window dressing, window frame and art. What do you think?

See more fun DIY ideas at Lowe’s Creative Ideas, follow Lowe’s on Instagram, Pinterest and sign up for the Creative Ideas magazine and app!

*Disclaimer: As a member of the Lowe’s Creative Ideas Creators and Influencers network, I received a Lowe’s gift card to complete this project for a mini outdoor makeover challenge, however the tutorial images, instructions and opinions are my own.

Easy Fall Decor: Decoupaged Glass Jars and BottlesTutorial

Posted on August 28, 2013 by Roeshel

Fall DIY: The mornings have been chilly so there’s no denying that fall is right around the corner and that has me thinking of fall decorating despite the fact that I’m hanging on to every last bit of summer. This year, I have a beautiful fall vignette consisting of vintage inspired bottles filled with feathers, dried cotton stalks, autumn leaves and dried silver dollar plants. The plain bottles could use a little embellishment and Martha Stewart pizzazz.

This post is sponsored by Martha Stewart Crafts/Plaid and BluePrint Social. If you follow DIYShowOff on Instagram, you know I recently received this fun supply in the mail:

I chose to utilize Martha Stewart Decoupage and the cutest botanical birds cutouts for this project.

Materials (available at Michael’s Craft Store):

Martha Stewart Decoupage – I used the Durable Gloss Finish which perfect for this project since the formula is durable, top-rack dishwasher safe and for use on multiple surfaces! Imagine the possibilities!
Martha Stewart Crafts Botanical Birds Decoupage Paper Cutouts – so cute! Be sure to check out the other designs too!
Glass bottles, vases or jars – I recycled some from around the house.
Soft bristle paint brush.

Tutorial:

1. Clean glass with rubbing alcohol.

2. Roll bottle of decoupage on table to mix.

3. Working quickly, brush on Martha Stewart Decoupage onto glass surface with a small craft brush.

4. Brush decoupage onto back of paper cutout.

5. Place paper cutout onto glass.

6. Apply another layer of decoupage to the paper cutout and surrounding glass. Let dry 1-2 hours.

7. Repeat above steps 3-6 again after 1-2 hours. Now it’s ready to display but allow 28 days cure time for washing or heavy use.

Aren’t these awesome?

It dries transparent! The botanical birds are the perfect decorative accent to my fall display.

Much more fall-festive than plain bottles and so easy to do!

See how I used Martha Stewart Decoupage and paper doily cutouts on my lampshade makeover.

Sharing at the Fall Nesting Party.

Find more info at:

See more from these talented blog friends:

*This post is sponsored by Martha Stewart Decoupage as a part of a Blueprint Social Campaign. I received product and compensation for sharing my experience with my own craft project and tutorial in my own words.

Iron On Vinyl Applique Tutorial

Posted on August 23, 2013 by Roeshel

Hello DIY friends! We’ve been working on creating a recycled brick patio and path under the grape arbor/gazebo and I’ve been doing some crafty things before we initiate project Laundry Room Makeover.

Happy Crafters sells patterned iron-on vinyl. Isn’t that so cool?! Patterned! Houndstooth and polka dots…I see more personalized gift ideas in my future.

When I saw the pink camo iron-on vinyl at Happy Crafters, I knew I had to have it even before I knew what I’d do with it. You’re either a camo person or not. It’s not my style but several of my sister’s items of clothing have a camo design. And since she’s currently undergoing chemo for breast cancer, “pink camo” seemed perfect for creating her a special little gift. Her days are filled with not feeling so well, so comfort is key and I decided on personalizing/monogramming a t-shirt.

Materials:

t-shirt
pink camo patterned iron-on vinyl from Happy Crafters

Tools I used:

Silhouette Cameo
Iron

Tutorial:

1. I started by creating and sizing my design using my Silhouette Design Studio software. I had purchased a fancy letter “B” for another project which worked well…all scroll-y. Perfect and reminiscent of cancer ribbons. I also spelled out “princess” for a little extra embellishment. REMEMBER TO MIRROR YOUR DESIGN (right click, “flip horizontally”)!

2. Load the vinyl patterned side down into the machine.

3. Settings for cutting the iron on vinyl are blade 2, speed 8, thickness 5. Then I simply sent the design to ‘cut’.

4. Once the cutting was done, I weeded (removed) the excess vinyl that’s not a part of the design.

5. Place design onto t-shirt.

6. Cover design with a cotton dishcloth. I used a scrap piece of cotton fabric. Iron on high, pressing down 25-30 seconds on each part of the design (no steam).

7. Remove the transparency. (If the design lifts too, then place the transparency back into place and iron again.)

That’s it! Easy! I repeated the same steps to adhere “princess” near the neckline on the back of the t-shirt…since she doesn’t have hair covering that area right now. Here’s my sister rocking super model bald and wearing her new t-shirt…she’s such a good sport since this was right after her chemotherapy.

I really loved working with this vinyl. It has sort of a “rubbery” texture. Great for making personalized gifts. Check out the other patterns too!

*This post is sponsored by Happy Crafters. Tutorial, experience and opinion is my own.

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Category Archives: Crafts

DIY: Removable Decorative Window Frame

DIY MAGIC WINDOW ART TUTORIAL

Easy Fall Decor: Decoupaged Glass Jars and BottlesTutorial

Iron On Vinyl Applique Tutorial