Valentine’s Day Decorating {Vinyl Decal Glass Top Table Runner}

Posted on February 13, 2014 by Roeshel

I’m not quite late in terms of sharing my Valentine decorating, am I? I don’t do much…just a little here and there, mostly in the dining room.

More pictures after a little vinyl tutorial: Having a vinyl cutting machine is GREAT for last minute decorating! Our reclaimed barn wood dining table is protected by a beveled glass top. And a glass top table is the perfect spot for an adhesive vinyl table runner just in time for Valentine’s day!

You’ll need:

Adhesive vinyl from Happy Crafters in pink and soft pink
Transfer paper

Tools I used:

Silhouette Cameo
Silhouette Design Studio software
scissors
credit card/gift card

Using the Silhouette Design Studio software, I used different fonts to create Valentine text along with a few shapes from the online store. Because I wanted to have the text reading different directions, I used the rotate tool to flip some of the text and shapes.

Before sending the design to cut, I uploaded the vinyl into my machine color side up then changed my setting to cut adhesive vinyl.

When cutting was complete, I removed and trimmed my vinyl design. Then inserted another sheet of vinyl and cut the design again. I used two sets of vinyl decals to create my table runner.

Next up is removing all of the negative part of the vinyl design. Simply remove all vinyl that’s not a letter or shape.

Now it’s like a sheet of vinyl stickers. Not something you want to place letter by letter so apply a piece of transfer paper over top of the vinyl decals.

Measure placement and alignment of where the vinyl decal table runner will go onto your glass top table.

Rub the vinyl decals with a gift card so that the adhesive vinyl transfer from the wax paper backing to the transfer paper.

Remove wax paper backing. Sometimes I have to use my fingernail or thumbnail to help along the transfer.

Carefully align and place the vinyl decal with transfer paper onto the glass.

Rub with a gift card so that the vinyl transfers from the paper to the glass.

Remove transfer paper.

That’s it! Now the glass table top sports a sweet Valentine’s message!

Simply peel away the vinyl for easy removal.

More decorating around the DIYShowOff house:

See more Valentine’s crafts in the DIYShowOff project gallery.

*This post is sponsored by Happy Crafters. Tutorial, experience and opinion is my own. I really love working with this vinyl. Check out all the supplies at Happy Crafters for inspiration for your next project.

DIY Glitter Iron-On Vinyl Tutorial

Posted on December 31, 2013 by Roeshel

The Chinese zodiac/new year follows the lunar calendar and begins January 31st. 2014 is the year of the horse. It’s a year for making efforts to improve yourself. Why not wear a reminder to do just that. It’s also the symbol for my word of the year for 2014 but more on that later this week.

Did Santa bring you a Silhouette Cameo? Unpack that baby! There are so many cool things to create just waiting for your imagination! One of the things I love is the ability to create custom vinyl decals easily and that includes not just stencils or signs but dressing up my t-shirts too. Here’s how:

Materials:

t-shirt or sweatshirt. Give an old one a little pizzazz! Or purchase new if creating a gift.
Iron-on vinyl. I’m using Happy Face Glitter Iron On Vinyl in Pine Bling from Happy Crafters for this project. Big selection of fun printed, solid and glitter iron-on vinyl for DIY projects.

Tutorial:

1. Create a design using the Silhouette Studio. I purchased a horse shape from the Silhouette online store and added text.

2. For iron-on vinyl, you’ll need to “mirror” the design. I just ‘right click’ my design and flip horizontally.

3. Load the vinyl into the machine glossy/sparkly/glitter side down {transparency side down}. Adjust settings. Recommended settings for cutting iron-on vinyl are blade 2, speed 8, thickness 5. Send to cut.

4. My blade is dull from so much use and the glitter iron-on vinyl is thick so before removing from machine, I could tell it wasn’t a good all-the-way-through cut. I had to re-adjust my blade setting to 6 and send to cut again. Tip: Test yours before removing vinyl from the machine so that the not-so-good cut lines will match up with the newer cut lines if needed. You’ll want the vinyl to be cut but not the transparency. When cutting is complete, remove vinyl from the machine. Cut vinyl to a smaller more manageable size from the roll/sheet.

5. Weed away all negative vinyl (vinyl that is not a part of the design) from the adhesive transparency.

6. Position decal onto shirt. Cover with a cotton tea towel, napkin or fabric. Iron on high, pressing down 25-30 seconds on each part of the design (no steam).

7. Peel away the transparent shiny plastic. If part of the design starts to lift, replace transparent plastic, re-cover and iron again.

8. All done! An old t-shirt, a new look and a fun reminder of your ‘word of the year’ to make 2014 awesome!

It’s certainly difficult to photograph the sparkle, not to mention take photos of myself wearing it. But you get the idea, right? It’s super glittery!

Isn’t that green glitter iron-on vinyl pretty? I’ll be using scraps for a glittery shamrock for St. Patrick’s Day too! Here’s another iron-on vinyl tutorial for a monogrammed t-shirt for more direction and inspiration.

DIY Customizable Monogrammed Mirror Tutorial

Posted on December 13, 2013 by Roeshel

Looking for a great gift DIY gift idea? Or some easy DIY wall art? Look no further! This framed monogrammed mirror is easy to do and easily customizable for swapping out colors and patterns. It’s perfect for those who love to decorate and easily changes to match any decor. One decorative accent, UNLIMITED looks! So fun!

Materials:

Picture frame with glass – I purchased mine at TJMaxx but shop the house or thrift stores for an even better deal!
Krylon Looking Glass – Mirror Like Spray Paint
Vinyl letter decal, shape or silhouette – don’t have a Silhouette Cameo to do your cutting? Use a stencil and contact paper to create your own. Remember to ‘mirror’/’flip’ the design so that it doesn’t show backwards.
Scrapbook paper, wrapping paper {holiday/wedding/birthday paper for celebrating/gift giving would be cute too!}, book pages, maps, fabric…get creative! Cut to size to fit within the frame.

Tutorial:

1. Create vinyl decal to fit inside of the dimensions of the picture frame/onto the glass. Remember to mirror/flip the design so that it doesn’t show backwards (vinyl will be applied to the backside of the glass). I used my Cameo to cut out a design on vinyl.

2. Disassemble glass from frame and clean the glass.

3. Apply vinyl decal to glass. I centered a letter “A”. You’ll be applying it to the backside of the mirror so you’ll want to “mirror” or flip the letter if needed so it doesn’t show up backwards. A shape or silhouette would be cute too! Example: monogram, dog, person, state, stag, word, etc.

4. Follow instructions on Krylon Looking Glass can. Wear a respirator in poorly ventilated areas. Apply a light coat of the Krylon Looking Glass spray paint in a sweeping motion (starting off of the glass). Do this on the side of the glass with the vinyl decal.

{zero degrees outside, spray painting in the basement – pardon the poor lighting!}

5. According to the instructions, repeat the above step four more times (only waiting a minute between coats – this stuff dries fast!). Then let dry one hour before handling. I did five coats and my glass still has a semi-transparent look which I like. Try more coats for a more solid look.

6. Once dry, carefully remove the vinyl decal by lifting an edge using your fingernail or thumbnail or a vinyl weeding tool if you have one. Be careful not to scratch the mirror-painted finish (although scratches add to an antiqued/aged look).

7. Cut scrapbook paper, book pages, fabric or wrapping paper to the same dimensions as the glass. Re-assemble glass and frame and insert scrapbook or wrapping paper in the same manner as framing a picture.

All done! Include several shades and patterns of paper with your gift and let the recipient choose their favorite look to coordinate with their home.

Cool, right? They’re going to love it and you’re going to want one for yourself!

You can’t tell from my pictures but the mirrored surface is very reflective. I just took my photos at an angle where you weren’t seeing me and my camera’s reflection in the glass. The mirror finish also has a bit of a worn/antiqued look that I love.

Next up in the series is an awesome project from Amy at Positively Splendid!

For even more fun Krylon Looking Glass ideas, visit the entire series:

Friday –
http://www.infarrantlycreative.net
http://findinghomeonline.com
http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com
http://sarahmdorseydesigns.blogspot.com
http://www.the36thavenue.com
http://www.eastcoastcreativeblog.com
http://lilluna.com
https://diyshowoff.com
http://www.positivelysplendid.com

Saturday –

http://tatertotsandjello.com
http://www.ourfifthhouse.com

Disclaimer: This is a post sponsored by Krylon. As always, all ideas, opinions and experience is my own. I first tried Krylon Looking Glass paint back in 2010 on an old window.

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Category Archives: Silhouette

Valentine’s Day Decorating {Vinyl Decal Glass Top Table Runner}

DIY Glitter Iron-On Vinyl Tutorial

DIY Customizable Monogrammed Mirror Tutorial