Friday, August 31, 2012

DIY it already!


i'm excited about another new series for my blog - DIY it already!  as often as i can get my act together and make something happen for you, i'll be regularly posting some fun DIY projects.

i'm starting with this custom artwork idea.   tomorrow is jessica, my assistant's birthday, and she is a woman who enjoys the luxurious side of life, so i thought i'd give this castle inspired felt artwork a try, using a lyric from one of jessica's favorite catchy tunes.
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to make this magic happen you don't need much, just:
: a white gallery style frame, 16" by 20"
: a marker
: 6 - 7 colors of felt
: glue
: decorative paper
: scissors (fancy zebra style optional)
: some heavy bits to keep the corners down

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1. start by outlining each letter backwards on felt.  this is so when you cut, you can flip to the right side without the marker lines showing
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2. cut that guy out, repeat step 1 and 2 until you're over it.  make sure to alternate colors so you don't have two of the same beside each other.  that would be catastrophic.
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3: layout your decorative backing which will be the backing for your letters.  i used a scrap of wallpaper.  use the glass from the frame, or the paper insert to draw an outline for the size.
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4:  trim trim
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5: now you have your canvas ready.  use the heavy bits to keep the corners down (if your paper wants to curl up).  bring in the pretty pile of felt letters.
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6:  place all the letters exactly where you want them.  get your spacing and colors right, or you will lose points.
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7: oh good, now you're ready to glue.  just a bit on each one.  it doesn't take much.
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8: smoosh.
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photo (43)
and look at that!  totally custom artwork that's sure to make everyone smile.  go make one for your friend this weekend!  (i'd love to see it if you do - send me a pic!)

15 comments:

Marina Marino said...

Great article! Maybe you'll be interested in this site. It's new. but it will be develop
http://marinaslookbook.blogspot.com/

mrs. V { Chez V } said...

Your assistant will adore it. This is one of those great DIY cases of 'why didn't I think of that?!' Speaking of, I am doing a giveaway right now on a DIY inspired by your MR & MRS glasses.

http://chezviviv.blogspot.com/2012/08/wine-tumbler-giveaway.html

Random request - would you consider selling any wallpaper remnants? I have a few projects in the works where I need smaller pieces of various different wallpapers. You are the master of the mix so naturally your leavings would be a feast for me. If so, send word. emily.nickell@gmail.com.

Amber Interiors said...

love that

smash said...

super cute!

Lanadearg said...

Very interesting tutorial. Thanks for sharing!

Mišmen said...

Really amazing and inspiring :) Love it!

Jennifer said...

Wow! So cool :D

The Celebrity Look

{Hi Sugarplum!} said...

Oh yay, I totally love your DIYs and have missed them. I love that even though you're a super star now, you still bust out your paint brush and zebra scissors. I think I need to make one of these this weekend.

and what is that blue ikat on the table under the project? It's very similar to the one I found for my dining room curtains (schumacher faux)

Kati said...

I love that :)

my favorite and my best- MFAMB to you said...

yes.

Pete Barker said...

Love the quick and crafty stuff, but if I was the king of the world I would make it illegal to use the color yellow in multi-colored lettering. Punishable by flogging. The farther away you get, the more the yellow letters just seem to disappear.

But this sounds like I'm being a jerk. I'm really not. Great project.

Shruti said...

Great Article. Really Loved it Dear!

manioban said...

Simple and Impresive as well. Great work!!.

Laura said...

Nice !

Geoffrey McCarthy said...

you have a good eye for design. nice.