I also bought one for my mantel recently.
Then I realized how easy these would be to make...and how cheap! Seriously, you guys, this only cost me like $3 to make. I bought the whole board for around $5 and can cut two of them out of it....or just one really large one! I'm running out of wall space to put all my decor, but I really want one of these in every room in my house :)
Here's how I made it;
Supplies:
2x4 plywood board
Craft paper/printer
Drill with large drill bit
Jigsaw with scroll blade
Sandpaper
Stain
Step 1: This is probably going to be the trickiest part of the whole thing. Find a design you like, either online or sketch one yourself. If you print one online, print it as large as you would want your frame to be. If you are doing this from home, this may mean you will be printing out multiple pages and taping them together. Or you can take it to a print place and they can print it the size you want for just a couple of dollars. Or, if you have a piece you already like, just trace that or change it up a bit to make it different :) I traced mine first on kraft paper.
Step 2: I cut out the negative spaces and then placed it on my board.
Step 3: I traced the entire piece with a pencil.
Step 4: Time to start cutting. First, I drilled a hole into the middle of each of the parts that are going to be cut out.
Step 5: I then used my jigsaw to cut out the wood. Here's an idea of how I did it. Mostly, just starting from the drilled circle and rounding it to the edges. Then I come back up the opposite way to finish the line.
This is how it looked all cut out.
Step 6: Sand the edges with a fine grit sandpaper.
Step 7: Not shown...but, stain! I used a dark walnut stain on mine. Make sure to get all the edges also.
And it's as easy as that! I seriously made this is under an hour. I can't believe how quick and easy this was to make! And how inexpensive! I've seen some very similar to this going for $90+ online. I know! Crazy! Even if you find one for like $25, this is still a way better deal :)
I decided to dress mine up with a wreath. I love layering things like this, just adds a ton more interest :)
I took my beloved clock down to put this up, not planning on keeping it here, and now I really want to! I guess I have to find a new home for my clock :)
Next one I make out of the left over board will be a little bit longer than this one. That's the best thing, that it's so easy to change up! And won't take forever to make another :)
Pin for later:
I have a 'thang' for old windows and totally love this. It looks fabulous! I'm pinning and trying later for sure.
ReplyDeleteI think this is beautiful! I used to do a lot of DIY projects and still do on occasion...might have to get into it, again, with projects like this. I'm also going to check out the perpetual calendar tutorial...they would make great gifts.
ReplyDeleteI love this so much! Can I ask how thick your plywood was? Is this just 1/4" or 1/2"? Thanks!
ReplyDelete