Saturday, July 16, 2011

Birthday gift sign...

Oh my...a dilemma.

What to give to a friend who has everything...a wonderful marriage to a great woman, a lovely home, a successful career, and all the toys he needs.

Ummm, how about a broken cupboard door? (lol)

I started with this one from our Habitat for Humanity ReStore.



That little gap in the corner is easily repaired with my trusty wood filler.



I painted it Old White, with Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint, chipped it up, designed in Photoshop,
did an inkjet transfer of the caduceus and the letters, then painted over the caduceus with soft brown paint, and the letters with black acrylic paint.

I wanted it to look like a sign from a doctor's old office in France. Eight of us vacationed together in France and Italy last fall, so I thought the French might make a more memorable statement.

I used one of the brand new Dreamweaver embossing stencils in two corners, positioning the stencil, taping it down, spreading white matte embossing paste over it, then letting it dry. Using embossing paste is as easy as frosting a cake, and I just LOVE the raised texture the paste gives to little projects like this!




Once the pasted image was dry, I repositioned it, pounced Top Boss Embossing Ink over it, and applied Stampee Embossing Powder as an adhesive, heated that with my heat gun, then applied metallic leafing over the now sticky raised surface.



Then I brushed the excess leafing off with a bristle brush, and this was the finished result:



Et voila...this is his birthday gift for the party tonight! I hope I was able to achieve a bit of an "old worldly," look, and, more importantly, I really hope he likes it, and that it doesn't end up reincarnated yet again full circle as as another junky cupboard door.



I'm partying at Time Travel Thursday, and here and here and with these wonderful decor bloggers this week.

Thank you so VERY much for stopping by. I'm SO grateful for your comments! Wishing you a wonderful week with people you love, doing the things that you love to do!

PS Sending a great big hearty Nova Scotia SHOUT OUT to Liz and to Maria for featuring my sign...thank you thank you THANK YOU!!!


48 comments:

  1. This is very unique and I'm sure the person who gets it will love it.

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  2. This is very cool! Love the corner designs.

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  3. Wow. It's so perfect... and doesn't look at all like an old broken door now!

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  4. Oh my gosh, this is awesome, I bet he loved it! You're so creative and talented! Thanks so much for stopping by DIY Addict so I could visit you too!

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  5. This is fantastic! I LOVE it! You did such a great job and I am sure your friend s going to love it as well! thank you for joining TTF and have a fun day!

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  6. That is so incredible!! How could anyone not like that? What a lovely and thoughtful gift. You did a fabulous job with it and we are so glad you shared this at Inspiration Friday!
    Vanessa

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  7. Wow love this and the many projects you have done. I am glad I found your blog!

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  8. ..and he does love it.... Thanks D for the "heritage" art for my office.. may actually keep it at home, itt is so special!

    KB

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  9. Wow, I love the sign! I am a new fan following you via blogger and GFC.

    http://www.ourbananamoments.com
    http://www.facebook.com/ourbananamoments

    Marsha

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  10. Very nicely done! I love the corner detail.

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  11. What a great gift love how you did the scrolls thank u for the tutorial!

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  12. This is absolutely fabulous ... your friend is going to love it !! I'm truly impressed with each step and your creativity and talent. Thanks for the tutorial. I'm visiting from Dittle Dattle and am a new follower. *Becca*

    www.adventuresindecorating1.blogspot.com

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  13. This is beautiful! Sooo amazing to think that it started out as a broken old cabinet door! Your friend is soo very lucky to have such a crafty and resourceful friend! Thanks for sharing with the Pink Hippo Party.. can't wait to see what you share next week!

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  14. I love this look, but the process of the embossed corners seems really complicated. Did it take long?

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  15. Hey Janette, can't quite figure out how to e-mail you...BUT...the corner embossing is truly NOT difficult!! Try it, you'd love the effects!

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  16. So very pretty! That is such a lovely and unique gift!

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  17. What a gorgeous, unique gift! I am sure he will adore it!

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  18. That turned out really pretty! Thanks for linking it up!
    Sherry

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  19. What a great idea! Men are so hard to get presents for and this looks perfect for your friend!

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  20. Oh - I have a rectangle one just like this from ReStore! Thanks for the inspiration. Your gift is beautiful - I'm certain he will love that!
    Thanks for sharing :)

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  21. Came out just darling~ what a creative inspired and thoughtful gift!! Thanks for linking this up to Feathered Nest Friday ~ hope to see you again at this weeks party! :)

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  22. Wow! What a neat gift idea, Deborah! You put alot of love and creativity into this and it turned out just beautifully! :)

    xoxo laurie

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  23. great piece! Love the graphics, thanks for linking up to VIF, xo Debra

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  24. You achieved your look! I love it! Great way to use those old cupboard doors.

    would love to have you stop by and link up to my Chalk Paint Link Party.

    www.ShadesofAmberInc.blogspot.com

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  25. fun. found you at pink postcard..

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  26. that is so cool! love the details in the corners you added!

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  27. what a great idea! I've seen the embossing stuff at the craft store and wanted to try it, but I love the leafing over it. Looks great!

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  28. Awesome gift!!! I love it. Love your title banner. I love peacocks.
    following you now,
    ladeedacreations.com

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  29. Good fix! Thank you for linking to Wicked Awesome Wednesday!

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  30. That is just awesome! So original! I love it! Thank you so much for linking up!

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  31. That is a fabulous sign you created, Deborah! I'm sure your friend will be delighted with such a unique gift.

    Thanks for linking your project to my party. I hope you'll join the fun each week. Be sure to stop by tonight and see yourself featured.

    By the way, I just joined you as a follower, as well. ;)

    Blessings,
    Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage
    http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

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  32. Wow, I've never tried that before! That design is incredible:)

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  33. Great job. Thanks for linking to Bacon Time. Hope to see you again this week.

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  34. You did a great job with this! I'm sure he'll love it :)

    Thanks so much for linking to "20 Below Thursday"

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  35. I'm so grateful that you linked up in this week's Creative Bloggers' Party & Hop :) This awesome post totally rocked the party!

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  36. This is an amazing project! Thank you for linking to my party!

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  37. That is such a lovely gift, you did a wonderful job. It turned out so nice. Thanks for sharing at Beach Cottage Good Life Wednesdays.

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  38. Wow, What a beautiful sign! Great gift and I bet he loves it. Thanks for joining the Open House party this week and I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
    xo,
    Sherry

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  39. Love that sign! I may tackle one too now! Found you at Michella Maries.....fun partying together....
    Blessings Abundant!

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  40. This looks fantastic!
    Thank you for linking this up to {nifty thrifty sunday} last week as well!
    xoxo,
    Vanessa

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  41. That is so cool and all those products other than the chalk paint are totally new to me. So glad you linked this up to Motivated Monday at BeColorful. What a lucky friend you have. I hope you will visit again. Love how you think. :)
    Pam

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  42. Thanks for linking to WorkShop Wednesday! Hope to see you again this week!

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  43. Great makeover! Thanks for linking to the party at Share the Love Wednesday!
    Mary

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  44. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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