Christmas Sparkle & Shine—and how to hide an unsightly control panel

Hi, everyone! Today I’m going to show you a little project I did to hide an alarm system control panel using MFT products. The panel is right in the way of some holiday décor I wanted to do on a chest in the master bedroom and it’s kind of an eyesore. We also have a thermostat on that wall and I found a perfect solution to cover that—which gave me the idea for this project. I found a chalkboard art piece at T J Maxx—it’s a box with no back and I got it to cover the thermostat. That left the alarm control panel sticking out like a sore thumb!

So, I got the idea to look for another piece like this to alter for the control panel. I found just the ticket at my local Marshall’s. I’m thinking there might be something similar, unfinished and cheaper, at a craft store but I wasn’t going to be able to get to one and I was on a mission ;-)

This was $9.99 at Marshall’s and perfect for my needs.




First of all, my DH sanded all the glitter off.




Then I applied a couple of coats of gesso (sorry this is a little blurry). Any primer would work.




Then I applied four coats of chalkboard paint.




I then stamped snowflakes from MPD Sophisticated Snowflakes with Sweet Tooth pigment ink and heat embossed them. I finished it off by sponging on more Sweet Tooth pigment ink to soften the black. Here it is again, finished.

Want to see what I’m doing with this project? Here’s the space most of the year. There’s usually some things on the chest, too, but I removed them so you could see what I’m talking about. UGLY thermostat and utilitarian control panel, am I right?




The snowflake box covers the control panel perfectly. It just hangs on the panel so it can be quickly snatched off if we need to get to the panel in a hurry.




And here’s the wall after it’s been decorated for Christmas. My T J Maxx box is covering the thermostat. I think it’s a really nice transformation, how about you?




Here’s a closer look at the NOEL letters. I covered them with printed Christmas sheet music and applied chunky silver glitter. The edges were sponged with Kraft ink.

Here’s a closer look at the wreath, made from pages from an old hymnal I picked up at Goodwill for $1. The center is a piece of Kraft card stock cut with Circle STAX Die-namics and a Snowflake Doily Die-namics cut from silver glitter paper. I sponged the edges of the cones with Kraft ink.

And there you have it! Sparkle and shine and a cover up! I hope
I’ve inspired you to use your MFT products in out-of-the-box ways
for your Christmas décor!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

MPD Sophisticated Snowflakes	Kraft Card Stock	Kraft Ink	Pigment Ink Pad Sweet Tooth
Die-namics Snowflake Doily	Die-namics Circle STAX Set 1

InLinkz.com

~Supplies~
Stamps: MPD Sophisticated Snowflakes (MFT)
Paper: Kraft card stock (MFT); printed sheet music, hymnal, glitter paper
Ink: Sweet Tooth pigment ink, Kraft ink (MFT)
Accessories/tools: Vagabond; Circle STAX Die-namics, Snowflake Doily Die-namics (MFT); gesso, embossing powder, heat tool, chunky glitter, Mod Podge, resin letters, hot glue/gun; wooden wall décor box

MFT January Creative Challenge–Die-namics Circle STAX

 
The MFT Design Team Creative Challenge is a monthly feature, where we are challenged to explore our creative side using a specific theme, product, or technique. This month, we were challenged to create with our Circle STAX.  Be sure to check out the MFT Blog for a list of all participating designers who have a project to share with you today. 

Hi, everyone! As you see, today we’re focused on what we can do with our Die-namics Circle STAX. Obviously, one can cut circles for stamping images and layering, but I wanted to explore some other uses.

My first project is a card and I used my Die-namics Circle STAX to create a shaker element. I didn’t want to re-invent the wheel, but you can do a search and get the basics of the technique. First I cut out a Die-namics Open Scallop Doily Duo and added a Die-namics Circle STAX layer cut from patterned paper. Then I cut a frame from two circle sizes as well as the window, made of clear card stock. To make my tiny “confetti”, I cut a Die-namics Dainty Lace Border from lots of colors and used the little pieces of waste—I’ll keep the borders in my scrap drawer—some of them are bound to come in handy at some point. I’m using sweet little PI – You Color My World for my image, colored with Copic markers, and Whip Cream card stock and Hot Fudge card stock from the MFT Boutique.
 

Here’s a side view to show the dimension of a shaker element and all the circle layers.

 

And here’s another sentiment from the set.

*****

 

For my second project, I made a door knob hanger for my craft room. I’d been wanting to do one of these for some time so I decided this was the time to get it done!

You can get bases for these already cut out but I wasn’t going to be near a craft store in time to make this so I made my own. With some heavy chipboard, I cut the top with a Die-namics Circle STAX by cutting my chipboard just a little narrower than the diameter of the die and slipping it through the circle center so only the top was in touch with the cutting surface.




Then, with a smaller size circle, I cut out the hole to slip over the door knob. I repeated the process with Kraft corrugated paper, adhered the two pieces together, and there was my hanger base!

 

Then it was time to dress it up. I swiped some white craft paint on the corrugated paper then sanded the edges and sponged with distress ink. I used my Die-namics Circle STAX dies again to cut the pink striped paper covering my Die-namics Dizzy Doily die cut.

 

Here’s a shot of the top part. In addition to the circles and Dizzy Doily, cut from Kraft card stock, I’m using Die-namics By the Letters, Die-namics Fishtail Flags STAX, Die-namics Leaf-Filled Flourish, Die-namics Mini Hybrid Heirloom Rose, Die-namics First Place Award Ribbon, and Die-namics Royal Leaves.

 

And here’s the bottom part, with the addition of Die-namics Mini Tab Foursome and Die-namics Hexagons to the mix. The words “inspire” and “create” were stamped using Typewriter Alphabet.



And, finally, here it is hanging on my craft room door :)

 

That’s it from me today! Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope I’ve inspired you to get your own Die-namics Circle STAX and make some circles of your own!

 

Die-namics Circle STAX Set 1	Die-namics Open Scallop Doily DUO	Die-namics First Place Award Ribbon DIE ONLY	Die-namics Dizzy Doily
Die-namics Royal Leaves	Die-namics Mini Tabs Foursome Die-namics Mini Tabs Foursome	Die-namics By the Letters Die-namics By the Letters	Die-namics Hexagons
Die-namics Accent It - Flags & Tags	Die-namics Dainty Lace Border	Hot Fudge Card Stock	Pure Innocence You Color My World Stamp Set
Whip Cream Card Stock	Caribbean Teal Baker's Twine	Typewriter Alphabet Stamp Set	Kraft Card Stock

InLinkz.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

~Supplies~
Card:
Stamps: PI – You Color My World (MFT)
Paper: Whip Cream card stock, Hot Fudge card stock (MFT); A Walk In the Park (Echo Park)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa; Vintage Photo Distress Ink (Ranger)
Accessories/tools: Vagabond; Die-namics Circle STAX, Die-namics Open Scallop Doily, Die-namics LLD Accent It – Flags & Tags, Caribbean Teal baker’s twine (MFT); foam dots, sewing machine, Copic markers

Door Hanger:
Stamps: Typewriter Alphabet (MFT)
Paper: Kraft card stock (MFT); Lost & Found - Market Street (MME); Kraft corrugated paper
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa; Vintage Photo Distress Ink (Ranger)
Accessories/tools: Vagabond; Die-namics Circle STAX, Die-namics Dizzy Doily, Die-namics By the Letters, Die-namics Fishtail Flags STAX, Die-namics Leaf-Filled Flourish, Die-namics Mini Hybrid Heirloom Rose, Die-namics First Place Award Ribbon, and Die-namics Royal Leaves, Die-namics Mini Tab Foursome, Die-namics Hexagons (MFT); pearl flourish, white craft paint, foam dots