Making templates

I love the fancy mat templates from scrapbook shops but why pay $2.60 at least each unless they have fancy designs you just have to have !.
The simplistic way to save money and make the most of the  bulk matching papers in your 180 page scrapbook packs is to use a template.
I simply traced around the one I purchased,using the left over backings from A4 card stock. ( I always use the backing piece for something), cut out the template shape and you have a solid reusable template to trace around.

The larger templates I make I tend to cut in half and rejoin with good tape. That way I can fold and store them easier.If you prefer pop a paper punch hole in them and hang them on a hook.

I am always on the look out in shops for interesting shapes I can template. Same for Google images.

If you are not using Google images when searching you are missing out on a treat. Simply click on "images" on your Google search tab and you are away. I generally alter the settings down the side of the images page and click on "large" so that I get images of a good size to replicate.
Enjoy :)

upcycled watering cans

These cans have been on my hit list for ages.. The blue one has had a hard outdoors life, the tin one is in pretty much new condition fro the warehouse. One was donated by a dear friend, the other was gathered from a garage sale for a couple of $$.

First step was to attack the outdoors one. being that I am slack I simply I scrubbed it with a kitchen Goldilocks, metal scrubber. Then both were coated with 2 coats of Resenes test pots (my fav paint).

I printed out A4 sheets from my collection of vintage images gathered from Google images. each piece was cut out . I eliminated all the extra frill bits that were hard to cut around and made them  more simplistic. One one design I did fill in the white spaces with my copic markers to eliminate the white paper in the spaces. Please also note I only used basic A4 white paper to print on. I like it for vintage images as it makes it look older somehow once the white is eliminated.

Next step was to adhere them using my scotch glue stick.

Only step remaining is to varnish the finished items with polyurethane to protect the images. I would not put these outdoors.

Shabby chic remodelling of a garage sale mirror Tutorial

This is my first attempt at a tutorial, go easy on me lol.
I found this old mirror at a garage sale for just a few dollars. First step was to paint it, I used resenes test pot paints,you I only needed one pot for the mirror but if you intend to match other project pieces it pays to grab a couple of extra pots. The color I chose has a tinted blue/Grey hue. Barely detectable until you pop it near a crisp white.
I used a tiny detailing brush to carefully get into the edges without having to remove the mirror and original backing label.
You can speed up the drying of water based or acrylic paints using a hairdryer, not too hot though!
Next I used Rub-n-buff tube metallic gold paint. You only need the teeniest bit on a rag, wipe off the excess and gently buff the raised surfaces of the design pieces. Apply more layers to highlight as required. It is person preference really.

Now my old mirror has a new life in my bedroom as a piece I really treasure.