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Monday, April 19, 2010

Home made Terrarium


When last months issue of Country Living came out, I knew I wanted to make this really cool terrarium. The whole thing was made with inexpensive wood frames! I was so happy when I remembered a whole box of not very attractive frames that I had in a box, which was destined for a future garage sale.



The directions were very easy to follow. I needed two 11x14, two 8x10 and four 5x7 frames. The most important thing is that the frames are as close to each other's respectives sizes as possible.


The only thing I changed was the wood filler they told me to use to fill in the gaps. I used dry wall mud instead.



It fills in all the gaps and when you spread it on in a thin coat, it helps to give the frames a texture that duplicates a piece that has been painted multiple times over. They also suggest to add the glass back in using a bead of hot glue. I didn't like the shiny look of the glue so I painted over it. Then I added Light Brown Bri Wax over the whole thing. It ages the piece nicely and gives it a wonderful finish.



I think the instructions scanned pretty well so you should be able to print them out if you want to make one of these. If you have any questions, drop me an email.

41 comments:

ROSE VINE COTTAGE said...

It looks so cute, I love it!!
Hugs~Kelly

Susie~From My Home To Yours said...

Great Job! I've been wanting to make one too since I saw the article...just need to find some thrift store frames! Thanks for the encouragement to proceed!
Blessings,
Susie

Daphne Nicole & Lynda Cade said...

It looks wonderful, thanks so much for sharing!!! Blessings~~~ Daphne

Debby said...

This is fabulous, just picked up the new Country Living will have to take a peek.
Debby

PeggyR said...

It looks wonderful! Thanks for sharing!

awal.ny said...

That is so great. I have it earmarked too. I still have to go and get the frames.

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

Karen.....Now I remember seeing that article but I love how you brought it to life! I also like your little changes and suggestions! Looks so cute!~Hugs, Patti

fleurcottage said...

lovely! i'm hoping to make one once i'm caught up w/ the outside work! :)

Beth A. @ Songbird Hill said...

Very cute!

Jodie (everything vintage) said...

Yours turned out fabulous Karen!

My friend Sarah (The Gypsy Mermaid) was telling me about this...she wanted to make one so she was picking up frames at yard sales. I'm going to have to forward this post to her so she can see yours!!!

Now I know what she's talking about! duh! They are too cute :)

BellaRosa said...

Karen amor, what a wonderful idea! I have a bunch of these out in my back yard from a green house we took apart...hmm I think there are some small enough to make one of these, I will have to go scavenging soon :) Thank you for sharing this! Have a beautiful week! Besos, Rose

Cottage Way of Life said...

I was thinking about making one of those too (to use as a display case though, don't you think it'd be a great display case?). It's nice to see that it turns out so well, yours looks super. I'm going to have to get some frames!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing this great project! I have let alot of my magazines go and so missed this one!

I love the look of yours!

Lisa said...

Hey girl,
Great minds think alike! I cut that article out with every intention of making it. Glad to see you did, now I don't have to! LOL Seriously, it looked a little tricky. You make it look much more do-able. Talk to you soon! Lisa
PS I fixed my rose divider.

DeeDee said...

Wow...now that is so clever and so very cool..I love it..thanks for the directions too.

Barbara Jean said...

Karen,
Great job. Love it!!

blessings
barbara jean

Angela Richardson said...

Hi Karen,
I love your terranium,and want to make one. We have a UK Country Living but I know of one shop in Totnes where I can buy the US version. I'm off this afternoon to see if I can get it. Wish me luck!
Thanks for being so inspiring
Keep smiling,
Angela.

Glamorous Girl Gone Goofy said...

Stop-it, that is the cutest! I have to make one! Thank you for all the detail you shared in building your own. I must say I just recently found your blog and I am just in awe of everything you post. Your fun creative home mesmerizes me. You are sooo talented. You are the Goodness, girl!!

twirls about,
Kristtie

Vana said...

Great job Karen!
Visit my blog and take your award for your lovely blog!
Now it's your turn to choose your favourite blogs!
Have a nice day!!!

Judy said...

What a cool project!!! It turned out really great!

Cyn said...

That is awesome Karen. If I could keep my plants alive I could make one of these lol. Maybe I could put fake plants in it.

Erika said...

Beautiful.

nancarts said...

This is so cute...I love it, and you did a great job! Will have to give it a try. One of my daughters would love to have that.
Smiles and Blessings,
Nan C

Unknown said...

Freakin' cute! You have the best ideas. This will be perfect on our family room coffee table. I'll have to post on it IF it turns out as cute as yours. :)

~Liz

stefanie said...

I saw that!! yours came out sooooo good!

stefanie said...

I thought the font was cute too..I got the code from thecutestblogontheblock.com

deb said...

I saw the article and have been wanting ot make one to!! Yours turned out absolutely darling!!!
*hugs*deb

Peridots Garden Blog said...

Wow! That's gorgeous! So perfect!

Thank you so much for visiting and your kind comments.

Now I'm off to find old picture frames...I know I have tons...and then I attempt this...wish me luck!

Sandy

Cami @ Creating Myself said...

Oh how fun... I want to make one! Thanks for the tut Karen!

Dorthe said...

Karen, you are so gifted, also working, with wood, and glass, did you cut the glass yourself?
It is a wonderfull little terrarium, and the way you painted, and waxed it makes it look like something my grandmother left behind,so beautifull.
Hugs,Dorthe

Unknown said...

Karen,
This is wonderful, you did such a nice job. I just love Terrariums, and this one is really lovely.

Thank you for sharing how to do this.

Karen

Hearts Turned said...

Hi Karen! Love your terrarium--well done! Thanks for the instructions, too!

Just saw your kind comment on my blog...YES, PLEASE!!! I'm such a novice--I would love to learn how to do that! Thanks!

Annesphamily said...

What a great idea and you did an excellent job! I love this so much! Thanks for sharing. Anne

lori said...

Very nice! I saw that in the magazine and have wanted to make it.

Gail said...

This is very cute, thanks for sharing it. I need to try it!

nancarts said...

Hi Karen, back again! How are you?
I went to my thrift store and bought frames for the terrarium, but I neglected to read the part about finding ones that are close in size! An 11x14 and 8x10 don't exactly match! Also, they should have mentioned that they should all have flat backs..they fit better that way! I am going back to see if I can make these fit together. I'll keep you posted!
I may have to go find different frames..lol
Smiles and Blessings,
Nancy

Unknown said...

Busy you and busy booths! full of fab delights. This sort of event, sadly, doesn't exist here in France; just great street Brocantes in villages, great fun but seasonal. what's a gal to do in winter? love your blog, I'll be back soon; feel free, one 'n all to pop by and see me in France. A plus...

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

I love this! Thank-you so much I printed the directions and hope someday I can find the time to make this.
Thank-you again,
Ginger

Denise said...

Oh my!!!!!!! I think I will give this a go next week..... how fun.. Thank you...

Micupoftea said...

Cute idea...thanks for sharing this~

Catharina Maria said...

This looks wonderful , and I hope that I can make it some day !
Thanks for the tutorial !
Love from the Netherlands ♥RINI♥

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