Q: My son loves the outdoors, and I want to make some rustic accessories for his bedroom. Do you have any ides that we could do together?A: Using found objects from nature is a great way to get that rustic feel. What about making a twig mirror? It's great for either a boy's or a girl's room, and it can grow with them as they mature. It's a simple project and shouldn't take much time at all.
1. Start with a mirror that has a wide wooden frame. Stain the wood to the desired color and let dry.
2. Begin adding the twigs. I use a saw to cut the twigs to fit around the outside edge of the mirror. If you like, you can split the twigs lengthwise to give a flat side. This can be a little tricky, so be careful. Glue the twigs in place on the outside edge and do the same to the inside edge. Add four twigs between the inside and outside pieces, then at each corner. This just provides additional character.
Q: I've seen such cute drawer pulls, but can't find any in a Western theme. Do you have any ideas for making them?
A: New drawer pulls can add pizzazz to any piece of furniture. To make your own, you can pick up precut shapes at a crafts store and paint them yourself.
For a Western look, use a variety of patterns, like cowboy boots, hats, a wagon wheel and cactus to make a dramatic statement. You can paint a star with yellow paint and let it dry completely. Then use a permanent black marker to write the word Sheriff on it.
Be sure to put a small disk of wood on the back of each pull so that it stands away from the drawer and gives you a place to grab on to. Simply screw the pull into place.
Q: I have some old vintage photos that my daughter loves. Do you have a creative idea for displaying them?
A: I would suggest visiting a thrift store or flea market and finding an old window with panes. It will probably need to be cleaned up a bit and may need painting.
Here's an easy crackle finish you can do.
1. Paint the frame with a base color of your choice, but keep in mind that it will be the color that shows through the crackle. Be sure to let it dry completely.
2. Apply the crackle medium. Follow the instructions, and be sure to use long, sweeping stokes. Let the crackle medium dry one to four hours.
3. Now you're ready to apply the topcoat of paint. As it dries, you will begin to see the cracks.
4. After the paint is dry, it's time to add the vintage photos. Gather the images that you want to use and copy them onto decal paper using a color copier, even if they are black-and-white photos.
5. Soak the decal paper in warm water for one minute and transfer onto the front of the glass. Be sure to follow the instructions with the decal paper. Use a squeegee to get out all the air bubbles, and let this dry for 24 hours.
6. You'll want to apply a clear, water-based matte varnish over the top to seal the photos. Now the window can be hung on the wall or used as an accent piece in the corner or the room.
