DIY Project #4 - String Word Art

This is a great way of upcycling unwanted boards or shelves that are no longer needed or missed. It's a very creative idea for your home and bearing in mind that it's not going to be done in one sitting like the other projects I've posted up.

Checklist: ● unwanted board/shelf

                  ● pen or pencil for marking

                  ● ruler

                  ● scalpel

                  ● cutting mat

                  ● a message you to have

                  ● masking tape
                  ● nails preferably round heads and small
                  ● hammer
                  ● embroidery thread

Tip/warning/advice: depending on the size of the message and the board you would need to measure out the spacing between the letters and punctuation marks. Based on that point where you would be placing each nail would also determine the outcome of the letters so the more adequate spacing there is between each nail the more noticeable the message becomes. Cutting shortcuts would not work with this project so please be careful and take your time on this one.

It's important to measure the size of the board before printing off the message as this would determine the spacing between each letter and punctuation. Once the message has been printed out carefully cut out everything leaving no white spacing. This is vital as you would want to be as close to the chosen typeface as possible. The typeface I have chosen is Placard MT Condensed due to it's height and thickness.

The quote I have chosen is "Inexpensive is good" by Douglas Wilson. I admit I do not know of him but his quote was chosen as a short example regarding inexpensive ideas for this whole blog. There were other quotes with connection to the word 'inexpensive' but this one fit the bill for me also it was short enough to fit my board.

1: re-arranging the quote with reasonable spacing between the characters and taping them down with small bits of masking tape this was you can still see the edge of the letters yet keep them steady. I didn't have any round head nails so bought some small copper ones which should do fine for me (3). Careful not to hammer in the nails at an angle to prevent damaging the board when straightening them as this would affect the threading stage. 4: it should start off like this and once one character has been traced carefully peel off the tapes to freely move the paper.

1: although the copper nails don't show the quote I have chosen this is when the fun part comes in; 2: using a thread preferably an embroidery thread outlining each letter then zig-zag motion to fill the space. I found that it was easier to start off with the shortest word so it gives me the idea of how much thread I needed per character (3). Be sure to make the thread secure on the nails or it would slowly unravel.

Finished piece and it doesn't look too bad for first time but I would strongly suggest having a larger and longer board to work with as spacing is important due to this being very fiddly for a long time.

The typeface you choose can be italics if you want a challenge but the finished piece would look better with different coloured threads. The board can be primed or painted beforehand to make the words stand out more but it's optional. When placing the board above eye level make sure it is safe from falling onto anyone due to the nails.

My receipt for this project:

_______________________

Black board--------- £2.00

Copper nails-------- £2.70

Total                         £4.70

Everything else I've used for this project was within reach so again I have spent under £5 and still have a lot of nails left to create another piece. Unfortunately I didn't have any old boards lying around so popped out to my local IKEA to the bargain corner and it's like a treasure find with discontinued furniture pieces or damaged and reduced. No one would think twice when they see your finished piece it would be the talk of the house in a way.

DIY Project #4 Completed ☑

DIY Project #3 - Chalkboard Mugs

Generally I wouldn't use this for drinking instead I would personally use this as a stationery holder and I will explain further into this post.

Checklist: ● porcelain mugs

                  ● a small pot of water to clean the brush

                  ● chalkboard paint (I bought DecoArt Americana's chalkboard paint)

                  ● chalk

                  ● masking tape to mask off areas you do not wish to paint

                  ● paintbrush

                  ● scrap cardboard or paper to place the brush whilst waiting

Tip/warning/advice: please read the instructions on the chalkboard paint as not all of them are for porcelain and mostly for chalkboard purposes. This is important as it will affect your end product if it does not require you to bake at all.

1: taping off the area you do not wish to paint onto this would create a neat finish without me carefully predicting where it's straight; 3: my chalkboard paint advises me to paint horizontally then wait to dry then paint vertically (2). This is a continuous process until you get this opaque tone of black that you're happy with (4); 5: I found that whilst the paint was still wet it was convenient to peel off the tape to avoid cracking. Carefully rub off the uneven border with a tissue dabbed in water to give it a clean look

After 24 hours (as my paint has instructed) condition with chalk then wipe off. However if you were to use this for drinking purposes and the chalkboard paint does not imply any form of baking methods...

this would happen if in contact with water...wasted my time but now I know using this paint was not ideal for this purpose.

Of course having to reapply the chalkboard paint I have decided to use it only to hold my stationery. Just dry wipe the chalk off the mug and it is ready to be drawn onto. This can be ideal for gifts whether a message is already on there or not is entirely up to you or for pen pot ideas. You can even cover the whole mug with the paint just remembering what the product specifies for what needs.

My receipt for this project:

____________________________

White porcelain mug----- £1.00

White porcelain mug----- £1.00
Bucket of chalks----------£1.49

Chalkboard paint--------- £1.99

Total                                 £5.48

I did not have a specific budget as to how much I would spend extra for this project but it was under £10 which is a positive thing for me. If you already have porcelain mugs that needs to be more attractive to the eye yet be used to drink with, it would be better to purchase a chalkboard paint specifically for porcelain preferably Pebeo's chalkboard paint [Link] and follow the rules given.

For someone like myself who likes labeling with sticky tabs this technique would make it easier for me to find on my table knowing which mug contains pens and pencils to scalpels and rulers or that's just me. The possibility is endless with being creative for this project and I'm quite happy with what I've achieved out of this.

DIY Project #3 Completed ☑

DIY Project #2 - Stencil Cushion Case

Ever browsed around in a home store and seen array of cushion covers that could liven up your bedroom or living room only to find a simplistic design with a hefty price hanging off the side. For this next project I will challenge myself to stay on budget as much as I could using basic necessities I have around me or if necessary buy the remaining materials on my list.

Checklist: ● scissors

                  ● clear acetate or stencils

                  ● scrap material (old clothing, fabrics or plain tote bags)

                  ● scalpel 

                  ● a message you want to have on the cushion

                  ● fabric paints

                  ● a reasonable sized cushion

                  ● needle and thread (alternatively a sewing machine if you have one) 

                  ● tape

Tip/warning/advice: 

Fabric paint can only be used on 100% cotton with tight weave. If the weave is too wide the paint can seep through and the design would be lost. Look at the instructions carefully on the packaging of the fabric paints.

1. acetate roll which would be cut to length depending on size of message; 2-3: think about the quality and type of material you want to use as this would effect the result; 4: use tape to position the message on the acetate then using a scalpel carefully discarding the letters without ripping the acetate

1. convenient to have a range of colours;  5. rather than brushing the paint across the cutouts dab instead as this would prevent slipping underneath the sheet. For letters like 'e' 'a' 'd' and 'b' remember to paint over the sections that were covered by acetate to prevent losing the counter section in the process of cutting.

Repeat the process for the other side of the cushion if need be. Make sure you lay out the fabric to allow reasonable drying time (approx 3 hours max and approx 3 days to completely dry)

1-3: pin down the sides of the case and make sure it just about fits the cushion just about right, not too loose not too tight. I've included an inside flap for my design to ensure the cushion stays in; 4: once you're happy with the fitting having the right side facing inwards then stitch up the sides with needle or machine ensuring the stitch is reasonable as the material isn't stretchy; 5: squeeze in the cushion to avoid straining the sides when doing the final fitting then adjust.

The finished piece - the shape of the cushion did lack its shape but that can be adjusted by tightening the sides. The message itself should not be taken seriously under any circumstances.

My receipt for this project:

_______________________

Tote bag------------- £0.99

Fabric paints x6 ---- £2.99

Cushion ------------- £0.89

Total                         £4.87

This proves that I have indeed spent under £5 creating this project with equipments I already own.

DIY Project #2 Completed ☑

DIY Project #1- Toilet Pixel Character

This very idea came from Beru Betto's DIY Toilet Roll Pixel Boy [Link]. It's a great way encouraging the younger generation to reuse toilet rolls other than throwing them into the recycling bins, which can be a hassle. Here I have attempted my own pixel character of myself to show you how easy and fun it can be without spending much money for an art piece in the bedroom or living room.

Checklist: ● toilet rolls
                  ● paint tubes
                  ● paint brushes
                  ● newspapers (to prevent stains on floor or table)
                  ● pot of water
                  ● paint palette (anything from cheap party plates to scraps of cardboard
                  ● a form of reference (a print out or screen image)
          

The reference I have of myself to start off.

1.Instead of using two toilet rolls to make up two pixels, I've decided to half the rolls so one roll equals to two pixel blocks (2); 3. Half each roll carefully as it'd be unfortunate and have one half shorter than the other side, vice versa; 4. A demonstration as to how I would link each roll together, stapling near the edge to not show the staples.

Here are the supplies: 1. Paint tubes basic colours as mixing them would produce secondary colours etc; 2. A suitable paint brush, preferably wide to cover a wide surface area and scrap cardboard to use as paint palette, making use of boxes that are lying around in need or recycling or reuse; 3. A small pot of water, this was an ice cream cup that I no longer used.

1. No need for a big dollop to spread along the roll; 2. Dip the brush and paint into the water lightly, moistening the brush allowing it to spread more (3); 4. If need to you could add more paint if areas aren't covered completely.

1. the Result of painting half a tube with as little paint I could manage; 2+3. One dollop of paint can cover this amount if use sparingly.

The finished piece: consisting of 79 halved rolls.

1. Close up shot of my 'face'; 3. Messy...just throw away the scrap cardboard as it has served it's purpose being this project's paint palette.

In total I have not paid extra due to already owning paint tubes from my own stash and saving up on toilet rolls. This project has been successful.

DIY Project #1 Completed ☑