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.

DIY Wire Cloche SucculentTerrarium

Posted on August 8, 2013 by Roeshel

Succulents make for a great indoor/outdoor centerpiece. I’ve been using this wire cloche succulent garden as a centerpiece on our patio coffee table all summer. I love that it requires little maintenance.

DIY wire cloche succulent terrarium tutorial:

Materials I used:

Miracle Gro Cactus & Citrus Potting Soil
Rustoleum Oil Rubbed Bronze Spray Paint
Chicken Wire
Allen & Roth Round Serving Tray
Pebbles
Sand
Finial
Tools: Needle Nose Pliers & Wire Cutters
Assorted Succulents
Plastic Planter Liner
Decorative Rocks & Accessories (not shown)

What I did:

In the plastic planter liner, I layered pebbles, sand and topped with the potting soil. Then planted the succulents and added decorative rocks. And placed the plastic planter liner into the round serving tray.

I measured the diameter of the plastic planter liner and decided on the height of my wire cloche and using wire cutters, cut out my shape to create a cylinder to go around the terrarium.

I cut the wire so that I’d have little wire “tabs” to secure the shape up along the side.

To make the top (roof) of my wire cloche, I used a large round clock as a circle template (the biggest circle size I could cut from my chicken wire width) and cut using wire cutters.

I cut a straight line to the center of the circle and created a ‘cone’ shape top for my terrarium and again used the small cut chicken wire tabs to secure my shape. Then I spray painted my cylinder and top.

Once dry, I used an extra piece of wire (a twist tie will work) to attach a finial to the top. Glue and screws weren’t working so this takes some playing with, but the wire cloche is light so lifting it from the garden will be easy to do, even if it’s simply twisted in the chicken wire.

And using the same technique with ‘tab’ piece of wire from the cylinder, I attached the “cone” (sort of like a “roof”) to the cylinder.

Then just slip the wire cloche over the terrarium.

Here it is on the patio:

See more patio and outdoor projects in the DIY Show Off Project Gallery.

And 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 a DIY terrarium project, however the tutorial images, instructions and opinions are my own.

Kids’ Plastic Picnic Table Makeover

Posted on July 16, 2013 by Roeshel

As you know, we entertain a lot in the summer, hosting quite a few family picnics. Guests include my 3-year-old nephew and 2 and 4-year-old nieces. It was decided that I needed a kid’s table and mom scored a Little Tykes picnic table at a yard sale for me for $15. Hurray for yard sale season (and moms)!

But when you don’t have a yard full of fun brightly colored kids’ toys; the red, blue and yellow looks out of place, not to mention it was faded and a little worse-for-wear.

I decided a little makeover was in order.

Materials:

Spray primer (2 cans)
Spray paint (2 cans for all over) I used Rustoleum Oil Rubbed Bronze.
Another can for decorative purposes (optional)
Spray clear coat
FrogTape
Vinyl decals (I made my own using supplies from Happy Crafters)

Tutorial:

First, I lightly sanded the picnic table with a fine grit sandpaper and gave it a good spraying with the pressure washer. (Thanks, Steve!)

This also comes apart some how, but I couldn’t figure it out so I didn’t bother. Apply a coat of primer:

Then spray paint:

I let it dry and ‘cure’ for a few days.

Using my FrogTape, I created a rectangle (table runner) outline on the table part of the picnic table and taped off the rest of the table top.

Using my Silhouette Cameo and Silhouette Design Studio software, I created and cut out the letters for a dinner time prayer.

I applied the sticker type vinyl letters to the center of my rectangle and made sure FrogTape and vinyl letters were pressed down securely.

Then gave it a coat of spray paint in Rustoleum’s Lagoon. (I used a large piece of cardboard to shield the benches.)

I peeled away the FrogTape and decals while the paint was still wet. I still have blue fingernails to prove it.

I let that dry for a few days (in my vehicle mostly since it’s been raining off and on so much)…which is why I had no choice but to be patient as well! Then I used my FrogTape again to create a border around my “place mat” and filled it in with DecoArt’s Patio Paint. Then peeled away my FrogTape and again…let it dry for a few days.

I had to touch up the paint here and there. Then sealed it with a spray clear coat (satin finish) and let that dry.

Much better! And a sweet little reminder for the little ones to pray before digging in.

We tested it out over the fourth of July. Now it fits in with our patio…

*This sponsored by FrogTape. FrogTape provided by Shurtech. The opinions are completely my own based on my own experience.

*Vinyl provided by Happy Crafters.

DIY Show Off ™ – DIY Decorating and Home Improvement Blog

DIYShowOff – Budget Friendly Do-It-Yourself Home Improvement and Decorating blog

Tag Archives: ad

DIY: Removable Decorative Window Frame

DIY MAGIC WINDOW ART TUTORIAL

DIY Wire Cloche SucculentTerrarium

Kids’ Plastic Picnic Table Makeover