Do you remember back when I posted about wanting to add more color to my house?
Well I’m steadily working on it. Verrrrrry slowly. ;)
I’ve made a push this week to finish two projects that are going to brighten up my front room and I’m so excited to show them to you!
I’m starting off with my cute new Transformed Clock!!
I was going for kind of a Retro-y Vintage feel with lots of color. Hopefully I hit it!
Isn’t she bright and cheery?
Here’s how she looked before I gave her a bright yellow spray-on tan.
Not bad – but not very colorful.
So I took her all apart and hosed her down with Rustoleum Sunny Yellow.
I wanted something unique for the clock face – and I’m working with a turquoise, yellow and red color scheme – so I decided to embroider the face of the clock.
I cut a piece of fabric larger than the clock face and drew out a spoke design with my disappearing ink pen.
Which has almost disappeared in this photo.
I stitched over each line with 3 strands of embroidery floss using a stem stitch. I used that same stitch to sew circles at the end of each spoke.
I filled in each circle with a satin stitch – basically rows of straight stitching to fill in a space.
Once all the spokes were stitched, I glued the fabric around the piece that had been the face and added it back to the door of the clock.
I put everything back together and now I have a cute, sunny little clock that makes me smile every time I see it!
It’s little door even opens – and since the windows up top are so small, you can stash all kinds of things in there.
Like chocolate bars or bags of m-n-m’s or maybe surplus packages of ric rac.
I’m very low (obviously by my lack of stash) of Chocolate right now. Seriously. It’s like Defcon 1 on the emergency scale.
I do have a question though. I am fairly new to the spray-painting thing. The first time I’d spray painted something was back in April after I started this blog.
So I still sometimes get eager and glob on too much paint – or end up with little drips. I have slight coverage issues.
But I’m hoping you can help me out – what did I do to cause this crackling?
It’s just this tiny bit on the inside of the door, so won’t ever really be seen. But I don’t want to get all eager and spray paint a ginormous piece of furniture and end up with this not-so-snazzy cracked egg effect.
I appreciate any advice you have!!
Crackling aside – she’s super cute isn’t she?
It looks so cute sitting on my little antique radio. I’ll show you the big picture later in the week when I reveal the curtains that are on the window right next to this.
You want a sneak peek? Sure! Here you go . . .
Fun right?? And see how the flower has a big spoke design in the center?? LOVE how it matches the face of the clock.
So I’d love to hear what you think!! Crazy and Over the Top? or Bright and cute?
( I really hope you say the second one. . . . :)
I’m linking to Sunday Scoop, Today’s Creative Blog, Met Monday, Skip to my Lou, Tutorials & Tips Tuesday, and the other fabulous parties on the sidebar – make sure you check them out!
Wow! It is so cheerful and bright–love that yellow. The face is also very clever and sweet at the same time! I am looking forward to seeing the whole reveal… Nice job Bev!.
PS Not sure about the crackling…that has happened to me too. :(
Absolutely beautiful! And happy, it’s a happy clock (it would make me smile everytime I passed it too!) I would’ve put turquoise instead of red in the middle, but that’s just because I am in love with turquoise and yellow, and the read still looks great.
I am by far no expert, but my first thought on the crackling was, did you sand and prime before you painted? Is it wood or fakey wood? I don’t even know if it would’ve been necessary… But that was my first thought on it.
Good job!! (love the whole color scheme will look beautiful and cheery with those CURTAINS especially!!! LOVE those curtains!)
Wow, I love the clock. You are just too cleaver.
Thanks for the anniversary wishes. xo
I love the idea of an embroidered clock face. Heading to the thrift store soon to hopefully find my own clock to transform.
Now that is some color!! Love it with the red embroidery work. Very cute, Bev!
Love that fabric!! and I think the clock is super cute too:) That yellow is the perfect color!
So, so cute! I will now be on the lookout for a clock!! I’m not a spray paint expert, but sanding and priming may help. Also, if spraying on multiple days, spray during the same time of day (i.e. same outside air temp). Again, love it!!
Love it. That is such a fun color and I love that you hand made the “clock” part too. It looks great.
Ugh, when I use Krylon spray paint I always get that crackling too! It’s annoying and no matter what I do it happens. I’m anxious to follow your comments & see if someone has a suggestion!
i LOVE it! i want to add some color to my house too, and i have a clock i might want to do this to now :)
I love the clock, love the color! That cracking can sometimes be caused by a bit of grease or wax or something that is still on part of the item you’re painting. It happens to me sometimes too. When it does, I lightly sand it down and then re-shoot that area. (Or if it is in a place that won’t be seen, I say, “meh… good enough!”)
The new color of the clock is so happy!
About the cracking- I have seen crackings similar to this one made with industry paint- if you painted a few layers, it could be that the top layer was too thick, or that the layer beneath it wasn’t dry enough.
Of course, as said before, you should make sure that you prepared the surface for painting with sanding, priming if necessary, and of course – cleaning the surface right before you spray paint it :)
I really enjoy reading your blog so I hope that i could help…
Sofi from Israel :)
I love your clock! The color is so happy and the embroidery is perfect. I think it is just the right look.
It’s amazing what a coat of paint can do. I’m currently picking out new colors for my outdoor chairs! It’s such a fun process.
LOVE the clock. Its simply adorable :)
I love that sunny yellow! Definitely bright & cute. Now I’m thinking about what I can paint yellow… :)
I love the color and the clock face! What a fun idea!
Love it!!
I have that same trouble with spray paint. I think it’s because I’m too impatient to clean, sand, and prime, but I don’t really know.
I adore this!
Awwwww wow, that is so cool!! It totally looks much better than before, and such a crafty way to brighten it up!! I love the sneak peak we got as well.
I think your makeover is going to be amazing!
It seems to me that yellow was the perfect color to complement this watch with embroidery and made ​​it unique!
I love this transformations. I heart yellow so the second I saw it, I was in love. I don’t think it is over the top at all! Love the fabric for the curtains too!! Great job! Can’t wait to see it all finished!! I would love it if you would link this up to my Ta-Da Tuesday Link Party!!! http://mommybydaycrafterbynight.blogspot.com/2011/09/ta-da-tuesday-link-party-4.html
xoxo, Ashley J
Wow, your new look clock is amazing. The bright color works so well. Tremendous job and thank you so much for using Rust-Oleum to complete your project.
Wonderful job… I love everything! The yellow makes you think “Happy” thoughts and I believe you can never have too much yellow. I am so inspired on how you transformed the face of the clock – it’s perfect. If the little paint imperfection can’t be seen then just leave it that adds to the DIY feel. Great job!!!!
I love the fabric you are using and can’t wait to see what you are doing with it. I too am adding some color to my house and yes, I am adding pops of yellow! Thanks so much for sharing! AJ
I love this clock Bev! So bright and cheery and it looks amazing with the fabric. Such a clever way to redo the clock face. I love it! As far as the cracking goes sometimes if you don’t get all of the prior finish sanded off (i.e. old paint, varnish, etc) then it will cause the new paint to crack. Also if you have any kind of lotion or grease (you know if you like to snack on potato chips while crafting, hehe) on your hands and transfer it to the piece when handling it can cause the paint not to stick and crack or bubble like that. If you lightly sand that area and spray it again it should be fine but since it is on the inside probably doesn’t really matter anyway.
Oh my goodness, I love this! I love that you covered the face with fabric… that’s fabulous! I would love to have you link up with Creative Me Monday this week, at The Southern Institute! My linky party runs all week long. Here’s the link:
http://www.thesoutherninstitute.com/2011/09/creative-me-monday.html?utm_source=BP_recent
Hope to see you there!
Jenny
Wow the clock is so happy. Great transformation. Love that material for the curtains, retro like stuff, love it. Love lots of color in my home so sure go along with your ideas. My hubby brought home an old clock case over a year ago, similiar to that one and didn’t know what I was going to do with it, now I do. Thank you for the inspiration. Love the idea of embroidery, think it’s a go. You are such an inspiration.
Your clock is fantastic! Now I am sad that I got rid of a clock just like the “before” shot. Embroidering the face is pure genuis! You always inspire me with your redos and knock offs. Thanks!
You are soooo clever!!! I love it. Thank you for sharing.
Mandy
http://www.projectqueen.org
What a gorgeous little clock. I love the happy yellow that you chose. And the stitching is adorable. Great job! I would love for you to share this @ Show & Share-
http://southernlovely.blogspot.com/2011/09/show-share-5.html
You are right, your “new” clock is so bright and cheerful. great job! I would love for you to come link up at http://www.thesasselife.com
Hope to see you there,
Kim
Major major improvement! I’m a new follower. I hope you’ll stop by!
http://theloops13.blogspot.com/
i think( aka my dad said) if it does that crackling thing, there’s something on it, and you should wipe it down w/ a rag w/ paint thinner on it… i LOVE the clock!!!
Love the new color! Perfect way to add some brightness to the house!
My spray paint tends to crack when I don’t let it dry all the way or when I spray and it’s too cold in the area I’m letting it dry in.
LOVE the new clock and the embroidered face. It is so cute and I think the curtains will be even more fantabulous in the mix!!! Awesome job!
Love the color. Looks great. Early mornings won’t seem so bad with that beautiful clock! :)
~ Meredith From A Mother Seeking A Mother Seeking…
My City Backyard Garden
I love it!! I popped by to check it out just because I thought the yellow was cute, but I LOVE the clock face that you stitched!! Such a cute, personal touch!
This is really great! Love the fabric; love the stitching; love the yellow! Bottom line- I really love it!
Oh this is just too cute! Such grreat pictures too. I love how you embroidered the face, I would have never thoguht of that!
Oh I love this!! Feel free to link it up here: http://vanessascraftynest.blogspot.com/search/label/Do%20Something%20Crafty%20Friday
Bev, it’s one of the sweetest, cheeriest and most charming clocks EVER!
You have combined two of my loves: yellow and clocks. And it’s EMBROIDERED too? You’re killing me. Not that I can do anything that requires delicacy and a needle…but in my head I totally could and it would be amazing. ;)
P.S Did the clock have a finish on it before? Anytime my paint has gone crackle-y it seems to be over a varnished/oil type surface. Maybe try priming first? Or call it rustic and say who cares. Which is what I do.
Your clock is sooo cute! Great job!
paint? did you wash it with soap and water? (it actually tells you to in the directions on the can) I know, WHO reads that stuff, right?
Sometimes if there is oil of some sort it will do that. But in any case, I love it! Thanks for linking up and back to catch as catch can. Catching you this week!
gail
I don’t know about the cracking, but don’t forget to finish it with a clear coat! Duft brand oil-based is a little more expensive, but it will create a nice and very hard/durable finish. Looks good! :)
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