Monday, October 22, 2012

Porch Name Frame


So, last week I launched my business on Facebook, I have nearly 40 likes and have had one order placed. Not too bad, I guess… :)  I am working on getting some Christmas ornaments done up. They are going to be really cute and hopefully people will place their order to have theirs made. They will make super cute holiday gifts or would even be great to just buy one for your own Christmas tree!! Anyway, I’m working on that, as well as getting some more frame sizes put together. Right now I have a couple of single pieces of wood that will hold two 5x7’s, I have an 8x10 and 11x14, and a large piece that will hold three 8x10’s or two 11x14’s. So, there will be a some items posted this week that will be up for grabs!!
Beyond that, tomorrow is my 28th birthday, whoop whoop!! I’m not really too excited, as of now it seems like it will be just another Tuesday, accept for the 90 min massage I have scheduled (which was my mother’s day gift and I am just now using it)! I’m very much looking forward to it. Other than that I have no special plans… Depressing I know, but I have a pretty awesome family that I know will make it a GREAT day!!

As I said in my first post, I am pretty crafty and would like to share some of my craftiness with you, so here is my first ever crafty blog post! Get excited….

Are you excited yet?

Okay, here it is…
Front porch sign!!




Last fall I discovered this great consignment store, Bloomingdeals!! This reminds me that I haven’t been in a really LONG time! So, I was in there and I found these great frames for just $10 each!! I had no plan for them when I purchased them (I know, it’s the wrong thing to do when your living on a single income and you have a new baby!) but that’s what I did. And I brought them home so excited about my new purchase! I figured I would use the bigger one to hold a picture (once fixed up of course, it's kind of UGLY) and I knew I wanted to use the other one to hold our monogram (inside the house). THEN, I had the great idea to use it outside with wood!! 

So anyway, here is how I made it. No, I don’t have any pictures throughout the process, I'm very sorry about that, but hopefully you can follow along.

Here are the frames I got at Bloomingdeals. The one I used by the front door is on the left.



First I went to Lowe’s and I purchased some Krylon Indoor/Outdoor spray paint and primer (Totally Tangerine is the paint color I used, but you get whatever color you want). I primed the frame with two coats of gray Krylon spray paint primer. Then I spray painted it doing three coats (it was really windy, and I just couldn’t wait until another day). It’s best not to spray paint something when it’s windy.

In between coats I got some old 2x4’s and cut them to fit on the inside (make sure you measure the inside from the back, not the front because it will be a different measurement). 

I then got on the computer and printed out what I wanted it to say, and then I placed the paper on my cut wood pieces to make sure the wording was the size I wanted. Next, I took out some poster board and taped my words on top and with a box cutter (the exacto knife wouldn’t cut deep enough), cut out each letter making a stencil with the poster board.

I taped the poster board to the wood and used a sponge to put the paint onto the wood. I believe I used some old Behr paint (indoor/outdoor). Any paint would work though. I did two coats of paint. Once everything was dry I flipped the frame face down and placed the wood on the inside and then screwed the wood to the frame. I used two pieces of wood, but it would be great if you used just one single piece, maybe plywood or a wider plank of wood would look really good inside a frame like this. 

tada!!
Notice my Mums… They look pretty, right? My Mum’s this year are already dying, it’s sad!

Well, I hope you enjoy this little project. Give it a try. It would be great to refine it and use it in the home, over the mantel or in the kitchen, or even change it and put your house number on it!!

-Hillary




Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Beaming!!



Hey everyone!! 

Welcome to my very first BLOG! Who hoo! I have officially entered the world of blogging! I love reading DIY blogs, like http://www.vintagerevivals.com/ and  http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/, kid friendly, crafty and all of the above blogs like; http://www.sweethappylife.com/ and http://www.iheartnaptime.net/. So, since I finally got the nerve up to launch my own small business, (ALERT nerves and butterflies in my stomach  because it may be a HUGE flop!) I decided it was time to start a blog. Not only to help with the business, but to share with everyone some of my craftiness. And I am really, really, really crafty!! ( It's a gene passed down from my Mom and Dad, more about them and their sweetness at a later date.)

So a little bit about Beaming Creations is below. You can read about it here or visit my facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BeamingCreations. Thanks so much!! 

Beaming Creations is where your most cherished photographic memories are transferred onto old reclaimed wood. Each piece is unique and beautiful, and custom made for you.  I love working on an old piece of wood and bringing it back to life. It’s something I learned from my Dad, and I will always cherish what he has taught me.  Photography has been a passion of mine since I was a teenager. I love photos and having special moments captured in time forever. So, there is no better way to take two things I love, and combine them together making a beautiful piece of art for you to place in your home or to give as a great gift. Take a look at my photos, think about what size you would like, and then message me to place your order. Payment will be taken in the form of a mailed check until I get other forms of payment set up. Please contact me to place an order at beamingcreations@gmail.com.


Each photo is placed on reclaimed wood. There will be some imperfections, but that is all part of the beauty of using old and rustic wood. All splinters will be removed and the wood will be smooth to the touch. Remember that the quality of your photo will affect the process when being transferred onto the wood. Make sure it’s a good quality photo, I take pride in my work and the outcome is a reflection on me. If you are ordering a large print and I see that your photo does not enlarge well, I will contact you before proceeding.

Sizes and prices are as follows (shipping not included):
5x7 reclaimed wood photo $20
8x10 reclaimed wood photo $30
11X14 reclaimed wood photo $40
Larger sizes can be made. Contact me for more information at beamingcreations@gmail.com



11x14

5x7

11x14