DIY Project Parade – Frosted Vinyl Windows

It’s that time of the week. Time to recap and show off your DIY projects! I love seeing your DIY talent!  
 The DIY Show Off
We’ve been working in the kitchen – getting an electrical outlet underneath the sink for a new instant hot water tank and the old blue laminate countertops are GONE!  
Before: Good bye blue laminate!

Looking better already.  In Progress:  Old counter, sink and faucets gone!  Running electric to install an outlet under the sink for instant hot water tank.

In the meantime, I started “frosting” the glass panels on the French doors between our living room and family room.  The family room is on our DIY to-do list and isn’t finished.  It’s where teenagers hang out and a ‘catch all’ for just about everything so being able to see in there isn’t ideal.  

And since the family room isn’t completed, the family room side of the French door still has plastic on the window panels – until I either stain or paint the door (rather than taping when the time comes).  That’s why the windows look foggy.  Until the family room is done – it also helps to disguise the plastic on the window panels!  Love this! That foggy/dirty look always bothers me!

Before
Using my Silhouette, I cut vinyl panels.
  • First I measured the glass panels in our French doors.
  • Next, I enlarged my paper from 8.5 x 11 to 8.5 x 14.
  • Draw a “rectangle” and size it to the glass door panel (subtract just a tad so it fits on the glass panel). My rectangle was 6 x 12.
  • Insert the image.  I used “mesh flower lace” from the Silhouette Online Store.
  • Drag and re-size the image to fit within the rectangle. The rectangle gives a border so that the actual mesh flower lace design is what is removed/negative. 
Remove the vinyl that won’t be applied.

Use the transfer paper so that the frosted vinyl can be applied to the glass panel. 

Pull apart (vinyl should be on sticky side of transfer paper and waxy grid side is garbage).

Place to glass panel and rub with a credit card.

Peel away the transfer paper.

I’ve been using my frosted vinyl for a number of projects lately so I was only able to finish three panels before running out and I’m waiting on my frosted vinyl order.

I love the way it lets the light into our living room but adds a little privacy between the living room and family room.

Here is the way it looks from the other side (the unfinished family room side).

This week I discovered that Jen at Tatertots and Jello had the same idea.  Pop over to check out her cute design. 
I’ve been having fun with the Silhouette but granite countertops come Tues. – so I’m hoping to have some more kitchen progress to share including more information on the awesome faucets and pretty back splash!
~*~*~*~


Do you have a DIY project to show off this week?  I’d LOVE to see it!  Or please visit the links to get inspired!


The DIY Show Off



If you’d like to link YOUR DIY project post to The DIY Show Off Project Parade:

1.You must use the button above and link to this post to share the linky love.


2.Include your name or blog name and project title. Add your permalink (not your blog url, but your DIY project post url). Feel free to link a Past Post, just invite your readers in a current post with a quick note.

3.Or email your link to thediyshowoff@gmail.com and I will add it for you.


4.If you notice your link has disappeared -please add the link back to The DIY Show Off to your post today, a button or a quick note to your readers about the party and try again! I love when everyone participates and readers check out everyone’s links, but I think the return favor of linking back is the nice thing to do so everyone plays fair and enjoys all of the projects and links. Also – this blog party is for DIY projects only. Links not related to DIY will be deleted.




Silhouette is offering DIY Show Off readers a special discount on that same Silhouette and premium vinyl bundle with a unique code SHOWOFF usable at silhouetteamerica.com.  That promo code will get you the Silhouette bundle for $225 ($375+ retail) and/or 25% off premium vinyl if you’re looking to show off.  SHOWOFF code is active from the 23rd through March 1st (if you don’t win – you still get a great deal!).

The DIY Project Parade

Do you have something DIY related to share this week?  We’re still working on the kitchen  AND cleaning out the basement so we can get electric to where the kitchen island will be above and choosing the flooring and backsplash.  


I managed to squeak in getting familiar with my Silhouette before taking on a “more involved vinyl cutting project” which has me pretty excited to dive right in but best to know what I’m doing and the tips/tricks with Silhouette before taking on a bigger project. If you don’t have a Silhouette – just look at the pictures to see another fun example of what it can do (giveaway coming this week). Skip the red tutorial text.  If you do have a Silhouette and you’re looking for tips, hopefully this tutorial will help a little.


I made this project to get to know my Silhouette a little better.  A starter project.


This is Lalka.  



She needed somewhere to keep these…





Using the Silhouette SD, I personalized a cookie jar just for her.  Here is how we cut vinyl letters for labeling a glass cooking jar.  Trial and error. I wanted the letters smaller, but for cutting vinyl for the first time, best to go with something manageable. I still love the end result. 



I typed out my label using the Silhouette SD software.  Silhouette will cut any font on your computer – no cartridges needed!



Change settings according to the vinyl package and use the blue tip.  



Feed the vinyl paper shiny side up. 



Send the document to the Silhouette SD (just like a printer except that it has a blade that cuts) and it works it’s magic, cutting the vinyl just deep enough.  It sounds like someone playing pinball. I love that sound!


Next, peel away the negative/un-used part of the vinyl from the backing. 



You’ll see your vinyl letter/word/shape on the blue backing like this:



Now…cut a piece of the transfer paper to size.  Peel off the backing of the transfer paper.






Place over the vinyl letters.  Smooth into place.



Flip and peel the backing of the vinyl paper off.  (Your vinyl words might be all together. Mine are a little separate since this was my first time and it took 3 times to get good cuts. I ended up going with pieces. Don’t give up!)



Now letters are ready to be placed onto the jar. 



Place and smooth, using fingernail to make sure it’s sticking to the glass. 



Peel off the transfer paper. There are places where the jar is rounded, so tiny parts of my vinyl wrinkle.  I smoothed them out the best I could but I’m okay with imperfections.


Now, kitty treats are stored so much cuter than the original packaging. 





Exciting news!




SILHOUETTE GIVEAWAY Wed. 2/23!


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Do you have a DIY project to show off this week?  I’d LOVE to see it!  Or please visit the links to get inspired!





The DIY Show Off



If you’d like to link YOUR DIY project post to The DIY Show Off Project Parade:

1.You must use the button above and link to this post to share the linky love.


2.Include your name or blog name and project title. Add your permalink (not your blog url, but your DIY project post url). Feel free to link a Past Post, just invite your readers in a current post with a quick note.

3.Or email your link to thediyshowoff@gmail.com and I will add it for you.


4.If you notice your link has disappeared -please add the link back to The DIY Show Off to your post today, a button or a quick note to your readers about the party and try again! I love when everyone participates and readers check out everyone’s links, but I think the return favor of linking back is the nice thing to do so everyone plays fair and enjoys all of the projects and links. Also – this blog party is for DIY projects only. Links not related to DIY will be deleted.


*I received a Silhouette SD in exchange for product reviews and tutorials, however opinion (LOVE) is my own. 


Tomorrow is the last day to enter the DIY Club’s monthly party!  The new rules make it easier for you to enter your project!  
DIY Club

DIY Project Parade

Valentine’s Day is nearly here.  Do you celebrate? We do in the way that I get spoiled with chocolate and flowers and gifts. 🙂
My sweetheart daughter wants a Valentine’s Day t-shirt, something cute to wear this week.  But, I’m still in my pajamas and not motivated to run out and buy something.  So, I take an hour of my time today and using my Silhouette machine and white heat transfer paper, I cut out a white doily design and whip up a cute Valentine t-shirt using an old red long sleeved tee. (My daughter ran out the door for an Ichiban Valentine dinner date with her boyfriend, so I’m modeling her t-shirt today.) This is the first time I’ve used it and I’m pleasantly surprised that it was so easy!

What is a Silhouette?

The Silhouette SD is an electronic cutting tool that connects to your computer allowing you to cut fonts and images in cardstock, vinyl, heat transfer material, etc.
I downloaded a design from the Silhouette online store. My daughter wanted a doily and this heart doily was perfect.
Click the “send to Silhouette” button on the left upper hand side.
Amazing – it cuts out the intricate design!
Change the settings according to the instructions on the heat transfer box.  
Install the blue cutting tip. 
Feed the heat transfer paper (shiny side down) using the “enter” button.
Click “cut page”.
Now peel off the negative space (in my case it’s white rubbery paper) from around the design, from off of the clear vinyl.The design will still be on the clear vinyl. Some of the hearts came completely out (white transfer + clear vinyl but this didn’t affect the finished project).
Place the design sticky side down onto the t-shirt in desired position. 
Heat iron to cotton setting.  Cover vinyl transfer with a cloth – I used a pillow case. Apply pressure all over, recommended 45-60 seconds covering the entire transfer.
Peel off the clear vinyl. If the transfer comes with it, put vinyl back in  place and iron again.
Peel off the entire clear vinyl.  All done!
Super quick and easy, so cute!
The Silhouette can be used to create scrapbooks, cards, home decor, custom apparel, school projects, glass etched projects, stencils, etc.

If you have a DIY Valentine project – feel free to share it at the DIY Valentine linky party or visit the DIY Valentine party for some last minute creative ideas.
~*~*~*~

Do you have a DIY project to show off this week?  I’d LOVE to see it!  Or please visit the links to get inspired!



The DIY Show Off



If you’d like to link YOUR DIY project post to The DIY Show Off Project Parade:


1.You must use the button above and link to this post to share the linky love.


2.Include your name or blog name and project title. Add your permalink (not your blog url, but your DIY project post url). Feel free to link a Past Post, just invite your readers in a current post with a quick note.
3.Or email your link to thediyshowoff@gmail.com and I will add it for you.


4.If you notice your link has disappeared -please add the link back to The DIY Show Off to your post today, a button or a quick note to your readers about the party and try again! I love when everyone participates and readers check out everyone’s links, but I think the return favor of linking back is the nice thing to do so everyone plays fair and enjoys all of the projects and links. Also – this blog party is for DIY projects only. Links not related to DIY will be deleted.

I received my machines from SilhouetteAmerica in exchange for reviews, to share tutorials and participate in future giveaways. YEP – giveaway!  Coming soon!  🙂