Dance Like No One Is Watching

So, I found this little mirror in the clearance section at Michael’s one day and knew it would be perfect for an etchall® etching creme project.

And it is!

My problem is photographing it … I tried inside, outside, in light, little light … nothing would work. I wasn’t going to share this project, because I couldn’t photograph it, but it was so fun to make — and, I think, perfect for a little girl’s room, bathroom or foyer — that I decided to share my horrible photos, but fun techniques with you.

I started by designing the quote on my tablet using Cricut’s Design Space app. Then I used the Cricut to cut out the words using etchall® etchmask.

Next, I adhered the  etchall® etchmask transfer sheet to the surface so I could pick up the little dots in the “e” and other letters.

I then pulled the etchmask off of the Cricut mat and placed it on the mirror.

Then, I coated the surface with etchall® and let it sit for 15 minutes. Then, I scraped up the etchall® and placed it back into the bottle for another time. I rinsed off the mirror, removed the etchmask and gave it a final cleaning and it was done!

It really is crisp and clear, but I couldn’t get the letters to not reflect in the photo — unless I focused on something in the mirror and then you couldn’t see the letters. So, trust me when I say it is perfect and crystal clear in person!

 

Be Amazing with Etchall

This project has been working in my mind for some time … it started life as a medicine cabinet someone removed from a house and sold at an antique show. I wanted to put a positive saying on it so that whenever you look in the mirror, you will get a bit of a pat on the back.

I cleaned it up and started its transformation.

I used my Cricut to cut out the words “Be Amazing” on etchall etchmask stencil combo pack. Once I cut out the yellow vinyl, I placed the white transfer paper on top and then pulled it off the mat.

I then positioned it on the mirror and carefully removed the transfer paper. Then I used a craft pick to remove the letters, followed by a brayer to make sure everything was stuck down tightly.

etchall etching creme is extremely simple to use … about the only way you can mess it up is if you drip onto a surface you did not want etched. I always think I’ll be careful and then I drop a tool or something and mess it up, so I was careful to tape off and mask any glass areas I did not want etched.

Then, I placed the etchall in a thick, even coat across my vinyl and set the timer for 15 minutes. NOTE: Those air bubbles would not be a good thing if they were by my design. Normally, I would have taken the spatula and worked them out. But since they were on a part of the mirror I was not etching, I didn’t worry about them.

When the timer went off, I used the spatula to scrape all of the etchall into my plastic container and then poured it back into the bottle. It is reusable, so you don’t need to worry about ever getting too much!

Then, I took a wet paper towel to remove any residue and ripped off all of the vinyl and tape.

One more pass with a wet paper towel and it is amazing!

I then taped off the mirror again and painted the frame with three colors of Distress Paint. When dry, I covered it with a coat of white chalk paint and then sprayed it with rubbing alcohol while still wet. I let it sit for a few minutes and then used a baby wipe to remove the color. In some places, it went down to the original white finish. In other places, the Distress Paint shows through. And some places are just pretty white.

I had planned to do more, but it looked so perfect the way it was, I decided to leave it. I had intended this project to go in a craft show, but I love it so much, it might stay in my house. After all, we all could use a bit of encouragement now and then!

Are you ready to try your hand at making a custom mirror with etchall? Visit etchall.com to purchase yours, today … use the code CANDYS and you will get 10% off your entire order! Click here and get creating today!

This post is sponsored by etchall.

You Look Marvelous!

My future daughter-in-law loves mirrors — the bigger the better. We have been to dozens of stores looking, but have been unable to find the perfect mirror at the right price. In the meantime, I thought I could alter one a bit so she has something pretty to check her outfit each morning.

Mirrors, you should know, are rather challenging to photograph, so my chickens helped me out with this one …

I started with an inexpensive (about $15) full-length mirror. It had a bit of a Greek detail to the frame, so I opted for a Greek-inspired flourish from a Cricut cartridge to decorate the top and bottom of the mirror. The process is so simple …

First, cut the image out on etchmask. This is an adhesive vinyl made by etchall. It is thicker than Cricut’s vinyl, which means it is less likely to tear and the Cricut doesn’t cut all the way through the backing paper, so everything stays together until you take it apart.

I did two images … one for the top and one for the bottom. I reversed and flipped the bottom image before cutting it out.

Next, remove the entire piece of etchmask from the cutting mat and cover with a transfer sheet cut to the same size. (etchmask comes with the transfer sheets, so there is nothing extra to buy!) Carefully remove the backing from the etchmask and adhere it to your surface. The transfer sheet holds it all together for you. Once adhered to the mirror, carefully remove the transfer sheet, as seen in the photo above.

Now, use the etchall Squeegee to work out all of the air bubbles and make sure the vinyl is adhered well.

Now use a pick or piercing tool to pull out the design. Tip: Start in the center of the image and pull it out from there.

If your image is too close to the edge, add washi tape, masking tape or painter’s tape. You do not want to get the etchall anywhere else on the glass. Then, use the squeegee to apply a thick, even coat of etchall.

Wait 15 minutes, then scoop up all of the etchall with the squeegee and put it back in the bottle — it is reusable.

Since this project was so large, I used wet paper towels to clean off the rest of the etchall and then carefully removed the tape and stencils.

Here’s how it turned out …

Are you ready to decorate a mirror of your own? etchall is ready to help you … use the code CANDYS and you will get 10% off your entire order — including premade stencils if you do not have a Cricut or other electronic cutter. Click here and get etching today!

NOTE: I received compensation for this post.