Makely

A few weeks ago, Kari of UCreate asked me to create a little project for her readers. Of course, I jumped at the chance. I mean, who wouldn’t?

With her permission, I’m sharing that project with you guys. I think (or hope!) you are going to like it, as it’s one of my favorite projects ever. EVER.

Enjoy! And be sure to visit UCreate for lots of great projects each day.

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Hi, Guys! It’s Lindsay from Living With Lindsay! Kari has allowed me to take over her blog today to show a little project I created just for you. I sure hope I don’t break anything while I’m here. ::looks around sheepishly::

Anyway, just minutes before it was time to put my 3 year old down for his nap a few weeks ago, I came up with the idea of an etched glass silhouette mirror. Believe it or not, the entire project was finished before he woke up. Folks, you can do this one very quickly!

I’m really obsessed with silhouettes right now. In fact, as I was working on my new project, I realized that Jill’s adorable silhouette pillow from right here at U create may be the original source for my new obsession. I’m totally blaming her. No one’s profile is safe in my home – my dogs and cat have even sat for their profile photo session. I kid you not, but that’s a blog post for another time.

Etched Glass Silhouette Mirror

Supplies:
Mirror
Waxed paper
Contact paper (sticky shelf liner)
Etching cream and foam brush
Tape
Pencil

1. I began with a cheap framed mirror I found at a local thrift store. I was originally going to use it for another project but had a change of direction, so this mirror was just sitting in my craft room screaming to be used.

2. I took a photo of my son’s profile. It must have taken me 50 pictures to get this one. Little, wiggly 3 year-old boys don’t sit still for very long.

3. I printed out his photo so that it was the size I wanted on my mirror. It took a few attempts to make sure it was just the right size to fit in the mirror. Once printed, I taped it to a window and then taped a layer of waxed paper on top of it. Then, I traced the outline of his silhouette. I took the artistic liberty of smoothing over the cowlick on the back of his head so that it wouldn’t look like I didn’t comb his hair (Well, I didn’t comb it, or change his dirty shirt, but still).

4. I cut the shape out of the waxed paper and traced it onto the contact paper. Then, I cut out the negative of the image.

5. After removing the mirror’s frame, I applied the contact paper directly to the mirror, placing the cut out exactly where I wanted it to be etched, and smoothed the bubbles from the paper. I transferred some etching creme into a plastic bowl and used it to paint the cut out area with the foam brush.

Make sure to apply the cream thickly and evenly. Allow it to sit for five minutes and then rinse the mirror off under running water. It’s hard not to think of the etched glass as painted glass, but don’t worry, it won’t run or smear. You can dry it with a towel and even use glass cleaner.

6. I spray painted the frame an antique white and put the mirror back in the frame.

Ta Da! Now, it’s just ready to find a new home. That’s always the hardest part for me!

P.S. I’m adding this to the “Get Your Craft On” party over at Today’s Creative Blog. Stop by and visit!

This past Spring, I found a few really nice baskets at Goodwill at even nicer prices. I was so excited to transform them into something fun.

And then one of my dogs feasted on one before I even got them upstairs to my craft room or take ‘before’ shots of them. Do you remember that story? Some days, I feel like that’s the story of my life. Sigh…

Being as that the chewed up basket didn’t fit into my original transformation plan, I just stuck them in a corner of my craft room and forgot about them until I was cleaning out that room a few weeks ago. I was suddenly struck with inspiration for the larger of the two baskets. However, since the dog had already partially ruined my $3.99 treasure, I decided that I didn’t want to spend anymore money on supplies in case it didn’t work out.

I carried the basket into the backyard and spray painted the sides and bottom. I wanted it to be an antique white, but I only had half a can of American Accents Antique White and half a can of Krylon Fusion Dover White. So, I used up one can and then used up the other. They are close enough to the same color that it worked just fine. Spray paint is so darn amazing!

After it was dry, I brought it back inside and cut off as much of the damaged section as I could.

Then, I took a left over piece of burlap and recovered the top. First, I used my glue gun (of course I did!) and glued it so that that it was flush with the trim around the top of the basket.

I pulled it taught across the top of the basket (after adding a little piece of batting to the damaged part so that it wouldn’t cave in), cut the burlap to fit, and hot glued it to the back. I did the same thing to the sides, and it left me with little burlap wings on all four corners.

I folded each wing inwards and hot glued them in place, so it looks a little like a wrapped present on each side. There may be a better way to go about this, but since the shape of the basket is curved and I’m lazy, this is what I came up with.

Then, I decided that it need something to make it look more finished, so I found a ball of jute twine I had on hand and made braided jute trim. I measured around the basket one-and-a-half times and cut 6 pieces of twine that length. I put the ends of three pieces under a chair to keep them anchored and braided them together. Then, I glued them around the basket. I did one band of trim on top and one band of trim on the bottom, securing them with hot glue on the back.

The inside of the basket was lined with some sort of plastic-like fabric, so I wiped it down and added our living room throw blankets and Zack’s assortment of random books that he can never seem to put back on his bookshelves.

I’m working on lightening up my living room because we have a lot of dark furniture, so I put this on the side of our couches. I think it serves a great purpose and it’s a pretty accessory. The greatest part is that now the dog wants absolutely nothing to do with it. Win-win!

Not bad for a destroyed $4 basket, huh?

This was extremely easy to put together. Head on over to your local thrift store and challenge yourself to update a thrifty purchase with items you already have on hand. I bet you’ll surprise yourself!

P.S. I’m adding this to Today’s Creative Blog’s “Get Your Craft On” Party…

…and to Kimm’s “Trash to Treasure” Party over at Reinvented…

…and even to Kimba’s “DIY Day” Party!

I’m just a partyin’ kinda gal, I guess!

Create an Etched Glass Silhouette Mirror

Burlap Covered (and Slightly Chewed On) Thrift Store Basket