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Tuesday, December 16, 2014

51

DIY Gold Foil Art - Holiday Edition

I knew that I really loved the Mr. & Mrs. DIY gold foil art that we created for our master bedroom update, but I didn't realize just what a hit it would be with many of you fine folks as well!


Thank you all for your excitement and interest in the project, I am finally back with the tutorial.  However, because I didn't snap photos of the process the first time around, I decided to make even more of the fabulous foil art for the holidays.


I did use my Silhouette for the project, but it really just made it a smidge easier.  Anyone can do something similar with the real secret weapon behind the art.


Silhouette sells double-sided adhesive sheets, you can also find them here on Amazon.  I LOVE this stuff!  Think double stick tape, but on a full page scale!  For this project I also use sheets of gold foil, a brush and a pokey tool, which is my technical word for it.  I also pictured a pair of scissors because if you don't have a die cutting machine, scissors work to cut out any shape or design you wish.


I decided to create two gold foil art pieces to mix in a grouping of six frames; be merry, be bright!


Now, what makes this stuff so great is that once you peel off the back, it becomes sticky.  So I peeled the back of only the lettering, and adhered it to black cardstock.


I then peeled the top layer, which now made the top of the letters sticky as well!


Being left with an exposed sticky surface, I then placed pieces of the gold foil over the entire set of lettering.


I lightly rubbed the foil over the lettering and then used a dry bristle brush to remove the excess foil.


A slightly scratchier brush bristle seemed to give the foil a little extra texture and shimmer.


Gah!  So pretty!!


While I was making holiday frame ready pieces, I decided to add a second option to our playroom.  For this one, I just used my computer / printer to print out the silhouette of a deer onto regular white cardstock paper.


I printed it in red because I was planning to add red glitter to the top, which would give it some shimmer.  Using the fine tip of craft glue, I filled in the entire contents of the deer silhouette.  If you don't have fine tip glue, a small craft paint brush would also work to spread the glue.


The entire deer was doused in glitter!  Now that is something I can party with!  Once dry, I popped it in a simple frame and added it to the boy's playroom shelves.


Random tip:  Use a small piece of mounting putty to prevent your ornament bulbs from rolling around.

And here is a sneak peak at the other two prints framed in our lower level living area.




We finally have all of our furniture moved around and are about 75% done with our Christmas decorating, so fingers crossed I will have much more to share within the next day or two.  If only I can keep my little guys awake long enough to finish things up in their playroom... they like to sleep on the job.



51 comments:

  1. I sooooo want a Silhouette. Do you think there are a lot of benefits to going with the Cameo over the Portrait? Or is the Portrait just smaller but with most of the same features?

    Thanks!

    Visiting from LorimerLiving.Blogspot.Com

    ~Jaclyn

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    Replies
    1. Hi Jaclyn!

      To me, they are essentially the same with the exception of the cut width. The CAMEO allows you to cut a 12" wide sheet of paper or vinyl and creates larger items/products/cuts, while the PORTRAIT only goes to 8 1/2" wide. However, because of the size of the PORTRAIT, it is much more portable.

      You can read about both machines on Silhouette's website here: http://www.silhouetteamerica.com/shop/machines

      I also found a great writeup regarding the two machines here: http://www.scrapbookupdate.com/2014/09/15/silhouette-cameo-vs-silhouette-portrait/

      xoxo!
      Jen

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    2. Thank you for answering Jen, that helps me!

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  2. Love this! FYI, Silhouette also makes gold (and other colors) adhesive vinyl, which would achieve the same effect. :)

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    Replies
    1. So happy you pointed that out Laurel! I agree they both make great alternatives, I have used both the Printable Gold Foil and Gold Vinyl for different projects and like both options. However, there is something about the real gold leafing, it offers a different shimmer and glam effect that looks so chic! :)

      xo!

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  3. What a gorgeous idea. This would make the best personalised Christmas present too. Thank you for the project idea. I am absolutely loving reading your blog. xx

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  4. This looks so great! I have an older model cricut right now but after doing some reading online I am debating making the switch to the silhouette. I feel like it is a better investment and gives you more freedom, any thoughts on that?

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    Replies
    1. Hi Courtney!

      I have not personally used the Cricut, however, I do have a girlfriend who has an older model with a large number of cartridges. What I love about the Silhouette is the freedom I have over my designs, and that I am able to use any fonts I have loaded on my computer. There are also endless designs available in the Silhouette store, which can be purchased individually at low prices. I am a fan! :)

      xo!

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    2. I recently got the Cricut Explore and I love it! The new design space online software allows so much creativity and freedom in designing projects. Also, the print and cut feature works beautifully!

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  5. I need a Silhouette! Such a cute project!

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  6. Dear Santa, I would like a Silhouette machine, some adhesive double-side sheets and some gold foil and red glitter...seriously Jen! These are some great projects and you are making it really hard for me to stick to my decorate simple plan. I've been done for most of December but now I really want to copy your ideas...well, I can always add them to my plan for next year!

    Thank you for sharing all your wonderful ideas throughout 2014! I've picked up so many great ideas and tips from you this year and can't wait to see how 2015 plays out...that and I'm super excited to follow along on your kitchen remodel since that is on my household bucket list!

    Happy holidays to you and your family...hope Santa is good to you all!

    Peggy ;-)

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    Replies
    1. Thank YOU for checking in and taking a moment to comment Peggy! Fingers crossed Santa finds a way to fit a Silhouette into your stocking. Happy holidays and cheers to 2015!

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  7. Hi, I love your blog! What font did you use in the foil art?

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    1. Thank you! I am not sure what the font is, I purchased the word graphic from the Silhouette store. It looks similar to brannboll font, with a little added whimsey.

      xo!

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    2. I think it might be 'Hello Lovely' from the Silhouette store... :)

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  8. Oh my goodness, these are beautiful!

    xx Kelly
    Sparkles and Shoes

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  9. Wow what lovely decorations! This DIY is too fun not to try!!

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  10. The foil art is stunning but what grabbed my attention was the colours/fabrics in your bedroom. In love!

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  11. I'd would love to do the deer, but as a reindeer with my children during the holidays. Thanks for your tips and tricks.
    Love the site!
    Ellen

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  12. It's adorable! Thanks for sharing. BTW cannot wait for additional kitchen progress :-)

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    1. I can't either Antonella! It is on the back burner for a few days until we feel settled with the holidays and have a little haven set up for the family to retreat to during the progress. I want to make sure the kids still have a magical season despite the chaos we are creating.

      xo!

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  13. Thanks for this tutorial, I just purchased a silhouette cameo, and I cannot wait to try creating this for my home :)

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  14. That looks absolutely gorgeous! Love the red glitter deer, thanks for the great inspiration :)

    xo Susann
    Fashion in Pepperland

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  15. Seriously beautiful! I can't wait to try this!

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  16. Wow this looks so professional, yet so simple! First visit to the blog, really lovely photographs. - Charlie :)

    Forages and Finds

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  17. These are awesome! Such a great way to add some Christmas glam into your décor, so simple and easy! I'm definitely trying these next year!

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  18. These are great and easy to make. You are so talented!

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  19. Lovely! I can't wait to do that. Also - where did you get the fabulous Santa pillow??

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    Replies
    1. Hi Christine! I made that with the Silhouette also - just used white heat transfer material. :)

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    2. I am wondering about the pillow also, was the design from the silhouette store or your own design?

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    3. Hi Anna!

      It was a Silhouette store purchase/download - The download was titled: Christmas Photobooth Prop Accessories. :)

      xo!

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  20. I LOVE this! Is the gold foil paper the printable gold foil paper from Silhouette?

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    Replies
    1. Hi Leslie! I used gold leaf from the craft store to achieve that real foil effect, however, the printable gold foil by Silhouette is a great alternative. xo!

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  21. Gorgeous projects. Where did you find that great deer silhouette?

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  22. I love, love, love this idea! I'm thinking I need to add a Silhouette to my Christmas list...

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  23. Oh my gosh I'm totally inspired Jen! These look amazing!!!

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  24. I love everything about this! So pretty and inspiring!

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  25. LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this! I'm totally asking for a silhouette for Christmas now!!

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  26. This is so good Jen! Definitely trying it over here!

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  27. I am IN LOVE with this!!! I must do this. Thank you for sharing. Your home and projects are truly beautiful and inspiring :) Maria x

    www.mummygoesmad.com

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  28. I love the red reindeer!! I did something similar but with a silhouette of a santa sleigh flying through the sky and I put it on three separate canvases. I'm in love with it!

    Lucy Sparkle Beauty: DIY Santa Sleigh Canvas Artwork

    I definitely need to play around with some gold leaf though. It looks like so much fun.

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  29. Hi Jen!

    Did you have to download the fonts you used for these and for "Mr and Mrs" artworks? Or is it something that is included when you buy the Silhouette machine?

    They are GORGEOUS!!

    Thank you :)

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    Replies
    1. Hi Kate! The Mr. & Mrs. was created with a free font that I downloaded to my computer, while the Be Bright and Be Merry were purchased for .99 each from the Silhouette online digital library as a graphic. The Silhouette allows you to use any font you have downloaded to your computer, and you can also purchase things fairly inexpensively online.

      xoxo!

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  30. This is beautiful! I finally finished building my dream room and it's incredible! It's pretty bare though so I'm looking for ideas on how to fill the space. This is some great inspiration!

    Check out my room here, if you're interested: http://shehlagrr.blogspot.com/2015/02/turning-dusty-attic-into-bedroom-suite.html

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  31. Would you mind sharing the size of frames you used above your bed?? Love these!

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  32. the images are a little low resolution here and the words are a bit large.
    how clean are the edges of the words actually?
    do you think you could get much smaller and maintain good detail with the cutting of the adhesive material?

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    Replies
    1. Hello,
      It really depends on how sharp your blade is in the cutting machine, and also helps to update the speed of the cutting to a slower setting to prevent any choppy cuts or snags. I have gone quite a bit smaller and it has still looked great.

      xo!

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  33. Hi , I love this project , first time on your blog, did you manually cut the letters and what font and size did you use ? Thanks you :)

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