Tuesday, June 17, 2014

diy: gold foil ampersand


a while back, i tried to buy a gold foil ampersand print (the one i mentioned here) for my office. i found it at one of my favorite paper shops, sugar paper, but unfortunately, by the time i hit "buy" on my cart, it was sold out. even more unfortunately, they weren't going to do a re-print.
i decided i'd have to try to make it myself, and though it probably falls short of the original, it's very pretty and cost a boat load less. win!

if you have basic kindergarten cutting and coloring-within-the-lines skills, you can do this one too.

total time: 45 min
patience level: pre-teen on a good day
total cost: $7

materials:

computer & printer
square canvas
scissors
pencil
2-pack metallic gold sharpie markers


instructions:

1. do a google image search for "ampersand." a gazillion will come up.

2. choose a few you like and print them out. these were my favorites:


3. pick the one that is the style and size you like best, and that you think your skill level will allow you to easily cut out with scissors. i chose this one.



4. cut it out with scissors.


5. pull out your canvas. i bought this 8 x 8 for $4 (on half-off sale) at michaels, and i thought the quality was good for this project.


5. lay your cut-out ampersand on the canvas, and trace it lightly with a pencil. i held it in place with my hand while i traced, but some blue painter's tape could help tack it down if you're nervous about it sliding around.



6. trace the pencil outline with your gold metallic sharpie.


7. color it in with the sharpie.


8. don't panic. my first "coat" looked like this:


9. color it in again with the second sharpie marker. i didn't buy my sharpies new for this project. i think the first one i used was a little older or it had gotten a little muddied by going over the pencil. in either case, the color and coverage wasn't consistent. doing a second coat with the second marker made it perfect.


10. style, display and enjoy!





update: our office project is done! play a little game of i-spy and see if you can spot where the ampersand ended up in this reveal! here's a little preview of the space...



see the before & afters and the reveal of our office here


this project was featured by:



18 comments :

  1. Laura, that is super cute! "Pre-teen on a good day" made me laugh at my desk...at work. (Oops! Getting back to work now:)) Thanks for the cute idea.

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    1. hahaha thank you grace!! i am so glad to have a buddy who gets my warped sense of humor!! :)

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  2. laura .. love this ampersand tutorial!! so easy to follow with great photos :) linda

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    1. linda, thank you so much and thanks for stopping by the blog and your sweet comments!!! xo friend!

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  3. What a good job you were slow with your on-line shopping, This version came out fab! Love it.

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    Replies
    1. julia, thank you so much!! i know, sometimes procrastination pays. :) did you see sugar paper just came out with a collection at target? no art prints, but the calendars are adorable!! i have to NOT procrastinate on that one. thanks for stopping by. :)

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  4. Give me a blank canvas board and a gold sharpie marker and I'm in heaven :) Love everything about this project. Thanks for linking up to The Outside of the Box Party!! http://www.bddesignblog.com/2014/11/outside-box-link-up-party-10.html#more

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    1. I know, me too!! Thanks so much, Brandy, and thanks for hosting! So nice to have found you! xo.

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  5. I think this looks great! I love Sharpies - can't get enough of them - but haven't seen the metallic ones before. Think I'm going to have to hunt some out!

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    Replies
    1. thank you kate!! oh, they are addicting. you can get gold, silver, or copper. my mind keeps spinning with new ways to use them. :)

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  6. Hello cute lady! This looks so good. Pinned and tweeted. We really appreciate you taking the time to stop by our party. It wouldn’t be a party without you. Please join us on Monday at 7 pm. Happy Monday! Lou Lou Girls

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    1. thank you so much for pinning & tweeting- so kind of you! and thanks for hosting. :)

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  7. what font is the HELLO? Thank you!

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    Replies
    1. Hi! Those are the "Hello" notecards by Yes Ma'am Paper Goods. You can find them at www.yesma.am - it is hand lettering by Erica Loesing, the shop founder. As far as I know, it's not available as a font. Hope that helps!

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