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Wednesday, February 10, 2010

More Bedroom and another Tutorial


The bedroom is coming along nicely. Every week I'm knocking more and more off my list. (Don't you wish work didn't have to interfere with more important things like decorating!!!!) I'm mostly working on the finishing touches although I do have a pretty big job to complete that entails painting all the doors and trim. (More on that later.)

A few weeks ago Dawn (Don't you love how we only have to say her first name and everyone knows who she is. Kinda like Cher, or Beyonce!!!) shared with us a website full of the most wonderful sheet music covers ever! You can find that post here. I knew I had to make something with them for the new bedroom.






I played around with a few ideas in my head and finally decided to do some simple wall plaques.


First, print out the sheet music page of your choice and size it to fit the wood plaque that you will be using. My favorite paper to use to get really beautiful images is a matte finish photo or presentation paper. The wood plaques can be found at most any arts and crafts store.


Coat the plaque with a coat of primer, and then one or two coats of white semi gloss paint.


Gently distress the edges of your print and then glue it down to the wood plaque. I found that if you start at the top and add the glue a little at a time to the back of the paper, and smooth out the wrinkles as you go, you will get a better finished look. I like soft bodied gel medium from Golden or Liquitex. Try not to get any of the glue on the top of the print because the glue tends to yellow the paper. (Although this will work to your advantage later)



After the glued print is completely dry, apply the crackle medium of you choice to the wood that is still showing and overlap the crackle medium onto the edges of the print. The edges will yellow adding to the aged look of the piece.


After the crackle has dried overnight you are ready to add your paste wax. I LOVE Bri wax. I buy it at my local Ace hardware. Lowes and Home Depot don't carry it. For these plaques I used the light brown color, but dark brown is a great color too. Use an old soft rag to rub the wax into the cracks and over the edges of the print. I used a stippling motion to get the wax a little heavier in some areas. Allow the wax to dry for about a half hour and buff with a soft cloth. (rag) The wax imparts a beautiful soft shine. I'm really happy with these came out and they really add the look I wanted for the bedroom. If you have any questions let me know. I'm happy to answer them!

On another note... I can't believe I am approaching 500 followers! Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that so many of you would enjoy my blog. Thank you so much for your support and wonderful comments. I am preparing a giveaway to show my appreciation. I'll make the announcement some time next week.


35 comments:

ProudNana said...

The plaques are beautiful!! I love the lace that you have on the wall with the bows!!!

Char said...

Those are just gorgeous and well done. Some of the products you talk about, I have never heard of. I am now on a mission, thanks so much, Char

The Vintage Vagablonde said...

Your room looks soo dreamy.....I am adding vintage sheet music in my room too.

Mostly on my Hubby's side...he is a band Teacher and a conductor for some local Orchestra's.

I can barely finish one thing every week.....I do not know how you do it!

Anonymous said...

I love how you hung the tablecloth on the wall! I did this but not so prettily in my antique booth- love the look! Love the piano book pages too!

The Vintage Vagablonde said...

I noticed you are following my Flea market blog.....I just changed it so it is an About me page.

My main blog is~ www.pawshpoodle.blogspot.com

That will be updated all the time....my Flea market blog is now just a landing page that has all my venues on it.

500 followers~WOW :)

CFLanger said...

Wow! I love the plaques and seriously - I just want to curl up in that big comfy chair and read a book. You are so talented!

Unknown said...

Karen, The bedroom is coming along nicely!! How fun..Love the plaques you have done.
Lynn

Debra said...

These seem to be alot easier to make then using beeswax with iron. I've made several collages so I'm still creating just not blogging as much. I'm very happy your blog has become such a great place for all of us to enjoy. Congrats!

Debra

BellaRosa said...

Karen amor, I love the little peaks into your beautiful bedroom redo..How funny, I was about to ask you how you did the antiquing on those plaques...your just too quick and sweet! Besos, Rose

Charlene said...

Looking good!!!!!!!!! Really GOOD! Ace Hardware... that name keeps popping up. You know there really aren't as many of those around as there used to be. Lowes is great for some things but, for those little odd ball things ACE is the place. And for some reason I HATE HOME DEPOT. Maybe it's just the one by me but, it is the pits. OK sorry... got on a rip there. Love what I can see of the bedroom redo. And the tutorial for the plaque is wonderful too. That sheet music is some serious beautiful script & imaging. Talk to you soon. HUGS! Charlene

Unknown said...

Karen,
I LOVE this idea! Thanks so much for sharing...I am definitely going to try this!
Happy decorating!

Shared Talents said...

Looks like your bedroom is coming right along. Visit my site, I think
finally I might be getting the hang of this blogging.Hope you enjoy.

Debbies Doodle said...

love it!!

Barbara Jean said...

Karen,

LOVE your music print art.
So, the sort of lacy look around the edge is just the crackle medium and then wax??
Cannot wait to try this.
When i first saw them I thought they were in frames.
Wonderful job.

Bedroom is looking wonderful!!

blesings

barbara jean

Barbara Jean said...

PS congrats on almost 500 followers!!

that's awesome, but not surprising. You blog is great!

barbara jean

sassytrash said...

Thank you so much for your kind comments and including me in your links! Yours is one of my favorite sites---it is such a joy to visit and see what you are up to! The plaques are fabulous!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Love this, Karen! Thanks for the tutorial, too. Yes, work does get in the way of decorating. I was off because of snow yesterday {today, too} and I got my coffee table painted. Very pleased with that accomplishment.

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

Karen.....You have the best ideas! I have some frames with prints that I don't like, not to mention the gold color on the frames. I could paint the frames and then do something like you did with the sheet music. Thanks for sharing!~Patti

Cyn said...

Karen wonderful tutorial! Looks like your bedroom is coming right along ;)

The Feathered Nest said...

Karen!!!! These are GORGEOUS!!! I love how you made the edges look...so old and beautiful. The graphics on that website are amazing!!! I'm no Cher OR Beyonce sweetheart...just a goob!!!! You just crack me up! Hugs and love dear friend, Dawn

Sherry Goodloe said...

Well, you just got ANOTHER Follower . . . ME! Oh my, I just LOVE all of this eye-candy you have provided.

And yes, I know exactly how you feel about WORKING. I should be getting ready for work right NOW, but noooo, I'm finding blogs like yours to make me just a little late in getting started for that daggone "day job" . . . sigh.

I will definitely be back now that I've become a "follower" *wink wink*

Linda K. said...

Oh yes, these are very pretty. And congrats on all your followers! The OWOH was the catalyst. It sent a couple hundred my way. There are so many neat crafters out there.
Your BR looks beautiful.

Linda

paperbird said...

I thought I was the only one who knew about briwax. i just posted a valentine box using this wonderful finish. Your plaques are very nice.

Unknown said...

It's looking wonderful girl! Especially love that lace? on the wall behind the chair. Thanks for the tutorial on the plaques. I am gathering things now for a lamp shade. Can't wait to see more!

Monica said...

Hello Karen Valentine,
your wall plaques are just divine! I have some gorgeous sheet music covers too, I so love the idea that I might give it a try!
Thanks for sharing and have a beautiful rest of the week.
Monicax.

Peridots Garden Blog said...

What a gorgeous idea! Thank you for sharing the super tutorial!

Dawn...need I say more...what a blessing she is to our lives! And now I can add you to that list also!

Thanks for your blog!

Pam @ Frippery said...

Absolutely lovely. What a beautiful room too.

Raspberries and Rose Petals said...

Your plaques turned out great! Thanks for the tutorial! I also saw the post on the sheet music, and now I have another idea of how to put it to use!

Your bedroom is looking great, too! So is that a lace tablecloth hanging on the wall?!?! Beautiful!

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Your room remodel is coming along nicely and I love that lampshade makeover. So fun! I saw the sheet music at Dawn's place and thought how wonderful it would be to do something with it. Fantastic wall plaques. Hope you are having a fabulous Friday. Blessings, Tammy

Anonymous said...

Karen thank you for telling me about google images! I had no idea you could do this!! Wow now I am off to find some more dining room inspiration!!

Looking forward to seeing more of your room!

blessings
mary

Lisa said...

Karen,
What a great giveaway, yes I saved those scans too, they were simply too cool for words. I love what you did with them, & what a great tutorial. Girl, you are the teacher extraordinaire this week! I am still working on my lamp shade. I can't wait to see the finished bedroom. And did I hear give-away? Lisa

Jan said...

Karen,

Thank you for sharing your tutorials on the wall plaques and lamp shade. All along I have been using the wrong papers for my crafts. I will surely be using presentation paper or the matte photo paper thanks for the tip!

Your house is so beautiful. I can't wait to see your finished bedroom!

Many blessings,
Jan

Sweet Magnolias Farm said...

I love your Sheet Music Plaques !!! I just purchased several stacks of this style sheet music at an estate sale last week ..and have been excited to use it on a few projects I am working on. Your Home is Beautiful and Love your blog ..and Congrats on approaching 500 followers.

I just found your blog and am now a follower ..look forward to reading your posts from now on.

Blessings ..Sara of Sweet Magnolias Farm

Jodie (everything vintage) said...

Awesome! Totally awesome!
I'm going to have to try this to "spruce up" my messy studio before your party!!!!
oh the stress! but so fun!!!!
everything vintage

Sweet Nothings said...

This is Truly delicious!

I am very inspired! on my way to the fabric store now! can't wait!!
Please show me how you made the decorative edge for all these pictures on the computer? it's beautiful... thanks!

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