DIY Spellbooks

DIY Spellbook Tutorial:

Make a frame for each book.

Largest:
Frame:7.5"x11.5"
Cover:(2) pieces:8"X12"
Spine:12"x1.75"

Middle:
Frame:7.75"x10.5"
Cover:(2) pieces:8"X11"
Spine:11"x1.75"

Smallest:
Frame:7"x7.5"
Cover:(2) pieces:7.25"X8"
Spine:8"x1.75"

Glue the front and back covers onto the frame with Liquid Nails.

Make sure the frame and covers line up with the spine part of the book. The other three sides should have a .25" lip over the frame.

Clamp the book pieces together until the glue is dry.

Next, glue the spines onto the books. If there is an overhang, you may need to trim the extra off. Let the spine portion dry.

Paint the books black.

Paint the wood frame a cream color.

Next, to add what looks like pages, paint some brown streaks on the frame and brush around.

I designed the stencils using my SCAL program. Instead of cutting the stencils out of paper, I used vinyl, so they would stick to my books and I would not get as much paint leakage.

Fonts:
Potions: yataghan
Spells: mesquite std
Hexes: Alice in Wonderland
Brews: American Typewriter

After the stencil is stuck to each book, use gold paint and stencil the words on.

Let the paint dry. Lastly, spray a protective gloss coat over each book.

Display!!

Lamp Birdbath

I wanted a bird bath for my yard, But I didn't want to pay an astronomical amount for it either. So I went to google and found a couple of random DIY birdbaths that I liked. Using those, I came up with my own birdbath.

Lamp Birdbath Tutorial:

Supplies:
-lamp
-bowl or wok
-Liquid Nails
-spraypaint

First, cut the cord off the lamp. I also took the long handle off the wok.

Next, spray-paint the lamp and bowl/wok. Let the paint dry before you handle it.

Once the paint is dry, dab some Liquid nails onto the brim of the lamp. Next, place the wok on the lamp so it is centered. Let it dry for 24 hours.

Lastly, find a nice place for the bird bath in your yard...

I put mine next to the bird feeder I hung up last week. Let me just say that I am the hit of the neighborhood with the birds...

This project cost me $12. I found the lamp and the wok at my local thrift store...

Sundance Birds

Sundance Birds Tutorial:

My neighbor saw these birds in the Sundance Magazine:

She loved them and wanted a set, but didn't want to pay the $150 price-tag, so she asked me if I could make some for her... so I did!

First, you need to make a pattern (not shown) then you need to trace the pattern onto some wood. I used a cedar fence slat. Then cut out the birds using a scroll saw.

After you have sanded the birds, slap some stain on them and wipe off the excess.

I then painted the birds exactly like the magazine picture. To make them grungy, dis-stress by sanding.

When cutting out the birds, be sure to cut out back boards and a bottom perch boards.

Sand, stain and paint these as well.

Next, use a nail gun and attach the perch pieces to the back boards.

Now, nail the bodies onto the back boards.

The best way to attach the legs is to glue them on with wood glue. I didn't want to try nailing it because I thought the nail would split them in half.

Now, stand back and admire your finished product.

Mr. Blue Bird

Mr. Rooster

and Mr. Cardinal

My neighbor said that she is going to have her husband attach them to posts, so she can put them in her garden...

Address Number Vinyl Decal

Have you seen THIS cute door around the internet? It was everywhere a few months ago. My cute neighbor wanted to recreate this look for her front door, so she had me cut some vinyl for her.

Look how awesome it looks on her door!

You can now purchase this address vinyl in my Etsy Shop. GO HERE.

Chippy Paint Frame

Chippy Paint Frame Tutorial: