Create your own stencils

Today I am going to show you how I got the names on all my caddy's. If you didn't see all my caddy pictures - check them out here.

So first - I need a die cutting machine (I am too lazy for stencils).  I have a Cricut, so that is what I used.  So I used that.  I set my dials to a blade depth of 3 or 4.  Then I did a pressure of Medium (3), and the speed based on how delicate the cut is.  Mine wasn't bad - so I set it to high.  Instructions do come with the vinyl.  Follow them.

So below - you will see what it looks like after the cut.  They do sell transfer material specifically for vinyl.  If you have read my blog - you know I am cheap...no...not cheap - thrifty!  So - that stuff can get expensive - so I bought clear contact paper.  I cut my transfer paper to the same size as each word I cut out and was ready to go.

Here you can see a little shine on the vinyl, that is the contact paper.  Then rub it down with a credit card, Popsicle stick, anything really.

Then depending on what you want to do - you start to peel up the letters.  I wanted to paint the words on the caddys.  So I lifted the outside of the letters.  You can see what's stuck to the contact paper - that is what I will put on the caddy.  What is left on the original is left over.  (Good thing for me - you will see my craft fail in a bit!) You could also do it the opposite if you wanted the vinyl to be what gets stuck to the caddy.

Here you will see it ready to adhere to the caddy. It's stuck to the contact paper - this makes it a smooth transfer - trust me!  If you have tried it without a tranfer medium - it is an ugly un-smooth mess!

Here is the vinyl stuck to the caddy - ready to be painted.  Make sure you stick it on good.  Rub with a credit card, or your finger - make sure it is sealed tight around where you will be painting. 

Then - pick a paint color and put on a coat at a time.  I just used acrylic paints, and a cheap foam brush. 

Here is another one, you can see the air bubble between the H and the a. 

My assembly line set up of paint.  When it is dry - peel up the vinyl and you are ready to go.  If the paint isn't dry - it can leave some paint where you don't want it to be.

Finished product with paint. 

You will notice this one - not the original green I painted - but the same purple as the vinyl - ok - it is the vinyl. 

Here are some lessons learned and suggestions.

1. If you can- use a cutting program to work out your names.  I used Sure-cuts-a-lot (I also have the gypsy for the cricut, and cricuts software - they both work as well).  I could see my 12x12 mat, and lay out exactly how I wanted it to be cut.  I measure my wood - and figured out I wanted it cut 4 inch high by 10 in wide.  So they were all pretty uniform, no matter if there was 7 letters or 4.
2. If you can and have it - use a thicker paint than acrylics if you don't have a lot of time (or patience).  The lighter color acrylics took a lot of coats, because they went on thin.  But - it's cheaper and you can get a lot more colors!
3. My big craft fail and lesson learned.  Don't use too many different types of paint.  I used a gloss spray paint, then an acrylic paint, and then a semi-gloss on top of that.  I went to peel off the vinyl - and guess what - yup - you got it - the paint peeled off to...Sigh....So I peeled off all of it, and used the actual vinyl instead.  Thankfully it happened on a girls one that I could use the purple, and not a boys one I would have had to start all over.  I hate wasting stuff, not to mention time, it was Saturday night when I finished them and I didn't want to paint again.

I built a Cleaning Caddy

So…My dad was taking back some of his power tools :( that’s no fun. So I thought – I need to build something before he takes them back. I have wanted to build a variation of Ana-White’s Toolbox.

So – I got to it – I wanted to build a cleaning caddy. Normally when I go to clean – I want to do it all at once. We have a bigger house – so I’ll be upstairs in the kids room – and realize I left the Windex downstairs – get upstairs – I left the paper towels downstairs….SERIOUSLY. So – hopefully this will stop that from happening!!!

So – here we have my Cleaning Caddy!! It was actually pretty easy to build. I had everything on hand. I had the dowels from another project – so that is how I based everything.

I took two left over pieces of MDF and made a design, cut it out with a Jig Saw. I wanted to make sure it was tall enough for the cleaning bottles.

Then I screwed the dowel to each side of the MDF sides.

I then measure the length I needed for the sides – I used scrap base molding we had laying around – I don’t even know where it came from!

Then came the bottom – I measured out the sides – and then I wanted it long enough to hold a roll of paper towels.

Glued and nailed everything in with the nailer (always use glue too – this thing is kind of heavy with all the cleaning supplies)

I screwed the dowel in from the bottom for the paper towels.

I painted it many times with white trim paint – used many different types of wood so I wanted it to look uniform.

Then for the finishing touches – I went to my abundant scrapbook paper collection – Mod Podged it all up. Love that stuff!!! On the front – I cut out “Cleaning Caddy” with my Cricut. And on the sides I trimmed it out with cording I had on hand, just used hot glue and did about a 6 inch section at a time. I hot glued buttons where my screws were on the outside tops. My counter sink bit was the wrong size, so they stuck out a little. Now it’s a nice decorative element.

All in all – it came out cute! I have a little broom and dust pan, gloves, tooth brush, q-tips, Windex, all purpose cleaner, toilet cleaner, rags, and wipes. Lot’s to clean all parts of the house….Now to just start using it.

OH – did you notice it isn’t a girly color! I so wanted to paint it pink, but – I didn’t want to deter my husband from using it – no excuses now!!!!

Linked to these Parties:

Blue Cricket Design

Sew Much Ado

Primitive & Proper

The Thrifty Home

Tea Rose Home

Savvy Southern Style

My Backyard Eden

Someday Crafts
The Shabby Chic Cottage
Somewhat Simple
House of Hepworths
Beyond The Picket Fence
Life as Lori
Fireflies & Jellybeans
Tales from Bloggeritaville
Brambleberry Cottage

Princess Card

For my niece a while ago. She had a princess theme birthday - so I thought this card was fitting. It is cut from Sweet Treats.

Rock and Roll Card

This is a card I did – I think it is pretty spunky!!! This is from the Indie Solutions. I loved this Cart - but could never think of anything "practical" to make of these images.