BackSplash Bugs!

Backsplash Designs, Miscellaneous Topic, Recipes and Crafts 4 Responses »

Aug 102012

Backsplash Bugs! I’m sure you are noticing more and more bugs around. Here at 1005 Design we are too! Not just any old bug that you see every year; these are the back splash bugs! What type of bug is this you ask? Well, this is the recreation of one of my favorites, the Dragonfly! I chose the dragonfly because of the symbolism that many cultures have incorporated with it.

A dragonfly is mature, powerful, and poise. This is true due to it being able to fly at 45 miles per hour. But in order to make this dragonfly fly, I needed wings! I needed to make sure that these wings were able to withstand the outdoor elements and still show the grace and beauty of this whimsical creature. The stainless brush backsplash was the perfect design for my weekend project! This incredible creature looks amazing perched on just about anything! Here is how I brought my project to life!

First, I used a staircase spindle for the body. I used two different colors of craft paint to create the base color, green and purple. I used a sanding block to expose areas on the body to create a deeper look. After this I used a brown glaze and covered the wood completely then wiping it off. I did not allow this to dry. By doing this it blends the colors together evenly. I repeated the sanding and gazing process three times and allowed to dry overnight.

The next morning I used a flat black spray paint to add highlights and shadowing of the body. To create a more realistic iridescent look, I applied a bronze spray paint by just slightly dusting the body to give it a shimmer. Allow to dry completely.

I removed the ends of the spindle with a miter saw and sprayed the ends with paint. I used decorative glass rocks for the eyes and a few to accent the tail.

The wings are made of the stainless steel brush backsplash. I created a stencil with cardboard and traced this onto the back splash before I cut the pieces. Make sure you wear gloves and eye protection when cutting metal!

I used a jigsaw to cut the wings. Be sure to clamp the piece of metal down first so that it doesn’t move when cutting. I sandwiched the panel in between two pieces of cardboard and clamped it down. This makes the cut more smoothly by keeping the panel from bouncing around. After the wings were cut, I brushed the edges lightly with sand paper to smooth the cut. Don’t forget to remove the protective film.

(Tip: If a piece of your panel is bent or jagged, use a rubber mallet on a flat surface to level it out.)

I attached the wings to the under part of the body. I used screws to attach the two together. This was the best option and I recommend doing this slowly so that the wood doesn’t split or splinter.

Here is the Dragonfly! Now where to put it! I placed it by the flower pit! I call it the flower pit because it was a fire pit at one time, now it’s full of flowers! I like it better as a flower pit. This allows you to visualize the scale of this creature! I also placed it here by the fish pond. I am not sure which one I like the best. What do you recommend?

Finished Dragonfly by the pond.

References

http://www.dragonfly-site.com/meaning-symbolize.html

Marvelous Makeup Tray

Miscellaneous Topic, Recipes and Crafts 2 Responses »

Jun 252012

I love this project. I love it so much I wish I could keep it, but I cannot. I made this for my sister. The interesting part of this project is how I came to create it! So, I’m tinkering in my mom’s basement and I came across this old tray. It’s worn out as you can see in the picture. However, this little tray belongs to my little sister, and I want to bring it back to life. So I took it out the door and took it home. I know that sounds horrible but it really isn’t that bad.

Worn out little tray

I decide to paint this hidden treasure in a matte black. I chose the matte finish because I don’t want any sheen…yet. My sister’s home decor is black and white so this will be perfect! I also didn’t want to salvage the corner pieces; I like a more uniformed look. I used spray paint for this little tray and let it dry overnight.

The next morning I stared at the tray for several minutes thinking, I do not really like this little tray, it needs something more. Something that will make this tray pop! And a light went on to use 1005 design backsplash! I chose my favorite, the art nouveau design in stainless steel. This design will look lovely with her Hodge pod of Greek key and Ikat assorted decorations. I actually found a panel from a previous project and it looked just the right size. Almost! I need to cut it. So I align the pattern evenly to form it into the panel I need. I marked it and scored each side several times to make a clean cut. I used a piece of sandpaper to lightly sand the edges and it is ready to be placed. It fits! And it’s gorgeous.

So I pull it back out, remove the protective film and spray a coat of poly on the tray. Replace the panel and voila! A new makeup tray for my sister’s dresser! This will assist her in organizing! There you have it. Easy peasy!

New backsplash project – desk protector

Miscellaneous Topic, Recipes and Crafts 2 Responses »

Mar 052012

We have a desk from my husband’s grandparents that will stay in our new guest room. I wouldn’t consider it an antique, it’s just old. Still, we do not want to part with it since we have some great memories of playing cards with them, cards that were retreived from the middle drawer of this old desk. Yes, I’d say we are sentimental.

Since the desk will double as a dressing table, I wanted to protect the top from any spills and thought an aluminum backsplash would be a great way to brighten the desk and provide protection. This was an easy project using a backsplash and coordinating fabric and ribbon.

1 – 18″ x 30″ Backsplash panel
12″ x 19″ Fabric
7/16″ wide grosgrain ribbon – 38″

Supplies for backsplash desk protector

1. Cut fabric into two strips 6″ x 19″. Turn under 1/4″ on each 19″ edge and sew.
2. Cut ribbon in two 19″ pieces. Sew one piece on each of the two strips of fabric along a 19″ edge.
3. Fold one strip in half lengthwise with right sides together. Sew 1/2″ seam at each short end. Repeat with the second fabric strip.
4. Trim the corners and turn rightside out. Press.

Trimmed seam

5. Slip a “sleeve” over each end of the panel.

You’re done! Less than an hour from start to finish and no metal cutting required.

While I really like the art nouveau pattern and started the project with that in mind, the diamond pattern complements the the argyle bedding. Which do you like better?

Backsplash desk protector Art Nouveau Pattern

Diamond pattern

Craft a Custom French Memo Board using Backsplash – a Great Gift

Recipes and Crafts 2 Responses »

Jul 202011

French Memo Board using Backsplash

A Graduate going to college this fall or young adult moving into an apartment? Redecorating a teen room? Or just need a place to keep your own notes close at hand in home or office? This stylish French Memo Board project with backsplash is designed to display photos, notes and other keepsakes. While easy and inexpensive to make, it can be custom crafted to fit any decor. I crafted this French Memo Board in bright colors to give an office area an extra splash of color. The possibilities are endless to create perfect gift for that special girl or guy (or yourself!) And yes, guys too. Sports teams, favorite colors, or hobbies can all be themes to personalize French Memo Boards.The items needed are:

Backsplash panel
Utility knife
Frame (reuse? my frame is 16″ x 20″)
Paint and brush (optional)
Ribbon – 5/8″ wide, length varies on size of frame (I needed 3 yards)
Buttons (optional)
Glue (Crazy Glue worked great)

The hardest step of this project may be deciding the lucky recipient and then choosing a great backsplash, ribbon color and embellishments that reflect their taste. I chose the Art Nouveau pattern, purple ribbon and combed through old buttons to find some interesting shapes and colors that will coordinate. A black frame with copper backsplash would be an ideal masculine choice. As I work on projects, I keep in mind what I already have available – reuse, recycle! I did not have an exsiting frame in the size I wanted but search through your storage for a frame you can repurpose.

Supplies for French Memo Board

After choosing white buttons, I decided to paint the frame white to coordinate. I used enamel paint on hand from painting woodwork in our house a few years ago. Inexpensive sponge brushes work great. After a few hours, I painted a second coat to get good coverage. For small projects, here’s a hint to keep from cleaning out your brush – wrap in plastic wrap and put it in the freezer. It prevents the paint from drying in your brush. I’ve heard this works overnight or even days but have only done this for a few hours. Just allow a few minutes to thaw before starting your second coat.

Painting frame

While the paint was drying, I began to measure the backsplash. If your backsplash has a pattern, you will want to center the pattern within the frame. The size should be slightly less than the frame. I found this out later when assembling. With the addition of the ribbon, it was a tight squeeze to get the backsplash into the frame.

Center and measure panel

The backsplash panel has a protective coating so you can mark directly on it with a permanent marker.

Centering design

Centering frame on panel

Score the panel several times with a utility knife. Bend the panel several times against a straight edge to finish the break.

Lay out the ribbon first to determine the best alignment for a patterned panel. I chose the horizontal layout as it “framed” the pattern on the backsplash panel.

Diagonal ribbon pattern Horizontal ribbon patternAfter laying out the ribbon, I decided I preferred a thinner ribbon. The ribbon shown here is 7/8" wide and I used 5/8" ribbon for my French Memo Board.Remove the protective coating from the Backsplash Panel. Cut the ribbon allowing about 1" to attach to the back of the panel. Affix one end with Crazy Glue and hold for a few seconds. Attach the second end with Crazy Glue holding snugly so the ribbon will be tight.Gluing ribbon to backsplash panelAttach buttons or embellishments of your choice with Crazy Glue, again holding each for a few seconds. I found some flower shaped buttons to add variety. You could also decorate the frame with additional buttons or ribbon.Adding buttons for the final touch

Assemble the backsplash to the frame using the existing backing from the frame.
This will hold the French Memo Board backsplash securely.

Completed frame and backsplash

Try creating your own unique French Memo Board using our backsplash for gifts or yourself.

French Memo Board using Backsplash

1005 Design’s Pick Your Fave Contest

Give-A-Way, Contests, and Consumer Insights 10 Responses »

Jul 062011

Which one of our decorative backsplash patterns do you like the most? Pick your fave and tell us why it’s the best! Just for participating, you’ll be automatically entered into our drawing for one of three $25 gift certificates for Amazon.com.

Vote Now on Facebook!

These are the design options for the contest:

Contest Featured on these Sites (links will take you to another site):
Play Instant Win and win Sweepstakes
ContestHeat: Free online contests

Crafting with “Kitchen” Backsplashes – A New Serving Tray

Recipes and Crafts 3 Responses »

Apr 272011

There are many unique products in home improvement stores that with a little imagination you can use to create interesting items for your home. I liked the decorated metal backsplash and thought of using it to create a serving tray. In my quest to de-clutter our home (a New Year’s resolution), I decided to recycle and re-use an existing frame.

Serving tray crafted from backsplash

The first step is to remove any existing brackets and then the backer and glass.

Removing bracket	Removing glass & backer
Scoring panel	Next, I measured the panel and marked cutting lines with a permanent marker on the back of the backsplash. Taking the panel to the workbench, I scored the backsplash several times with a utility knife and then bent it back and forth a number of times completing the break. You can score the protective coating of the backsplash to separate the pieces.
Removing protective coating	Back at the frame for the serving tray, I removed the protective coating from the backsplash.
	Using the correct adhesive is important – I learned from experience. An epoxy works best to adhere the metal to the wood frame of the serving tray. The total project time (using the correct adhesive!) is about an hour.
Finished tray	I liked the wooden frame with the copper color but you may want to paint your frame to match your décor. Another way to dress it up is to add handles or some decorative hardware. There are many options that would be great for the stainless steel look panels.
Serving tray crafted from backsplash	Here’s the completed tray ready for summer entertaining. Do you have other ideas for embellishing the serving tray? I’d love to see how your crafting with “kitchen” backsplash project turns out.