A Gift for Bethany

-

<script async defer src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script>


Ty's sister requested a bat for her Christmas gift.  Like something in acrylic, like a paperweight.  Well, that's too easy!! So,  Ty got to thinking and ordering.  Then we went shopping at antique malls for the perfect materials to make her a one of a kind gift.

The first step was to order bats.  Ty purchased one bat that had it's wings wrapped around his body and the other bat with his wings spread out.

Next was the fun part, shopping for something to display them in.  For the one with the spread wings we went to our favorite Antique Mall and looked for a small shadow box or something to make into a shadow box.  Ty came upon an old red suitcase that a little girl would use to carry her doll & accessories.  The vision was to make a window on one side and put in some glass and mount the bat inside, leaving it accessible by simply unlatching the case.  Easy enough.  Here's each step of the process.

The Case
Inside the case


Separate the back panel from the case
This will be the Bat's backdrop








Test fitting the bat before we unwrap him
Cutting a hole in the back panel creating a window

<script async defer src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script>
Bat is fitted with out wrapping and window frame is test fitted




Glass gets glue on edges
Glass fitted onto opening in the back panel


Case opens so you can access the bat


<script async defer src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script>
Bat was mounted by affixing his body to the backdrop
and
DONE! 


The second bat, he needed to hang.  In the same Antique Mall we came across an old Ball Mason Jar with a zinc lid.  This jar was tinted blue and it was so pretty.  This looked perfect for the little guy to hang out in.  The jar needed a little more flare so I picked up a candle stick holder at the dollar store and made a tint (details below) to paint over the glass to match.  The inside of the jar needed some earth so we went to Hobby Lobby and found some earthy looking things in the model train section and in the floral section.  The bat was mounted upside down on the lid once the landscaping was created inside.  This allowed the bat to be viewed 360* and placed just about anywhere.

The Hanging Bat


Mod Podge Super Gloss Sealant
I tinted the Podge using food coloring to create the same color
as the jar color
Candle Stick is tinted


Comparing the colors & getting the vision

Filling the Jar:
                       

We used this Moss to fill the bottom of the jar

We did a small bit of the different types
the outside


The Big Finish


The bat was glued to the lid
we used tape to hold him in place while the glue dried

<script async defer src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script>
Now for his close up! 








<script async defer src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script>





This project took us 1 evening to assemble with mostly Ty working on it. 
Our budget for this gift was around $65.00




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sew Simple Shoulder Rest Pouch

-
Image
Lauren's Shoulder Rest Bag When Lauren began taking violin lessons and her case did not have room to hold her shoulder rest.  Her teacher mentioned a pouch or something to hold it that would stay with her instrument.  Disclaimer: I am not very good at sewing but I had a box of fabric scraps and a machine, so I gave it a good try and got to work.  I did  attempted french seams on the three sides of the pouch sewing in some ribbon, so it could be tied to her case's handle, on the bottom corner.  It was very similar to the directions for making a pillowcase.  The inside is a ripstop type fabric to make it a bit water proof incase she was walking in the rain or something.                                                    For the closure I used hook and loop fasteners to hold it closed.    The Ribbon sewn into the corner was perfect for tying the pouch to the handle of her violin case!  This was a great way to store and keep her shou
Read more

One Thing Leads to Another

-
Image
As Ty and I have changed things in our home over the past 8.5 years, we have found a style we both can agree on.  The most recent change this winter included the purchase of a new couch and chair this just before Christmas! What a fun time to get new furniture!! The couch we purchased at a large store not too far away and the chair we purchased online.   With 3 kids and pets we needed something durable, comfortable and not ugly.  We choose a leather sectional in the color graphite.  It was a floor sample and for the life of me I can not remember what the brand is. Maybe one day I'll remember and update.   The chair is black distressed leather with stainless sides!  It looks very much like a chair we found at a high end "hardware" store.  I love it! We are still on the hunt for another chair for another part of the living room, maybe a chaise lounger!    Here's where the DIY comes in: Like any good redecorating project, one thing just k
Read more

Bamboozled

-
Image
Time heals most wounds.  I will start with the exciting news that Ty and I had decided to NOT DIY this ONE project and instead decided to hire out the job of having someone install roughly 800 sq. ft. of solid strand bamboo wood flooring.  This stuff is HARD and dulls a saw blade FAST. Plus, that's a LOT of square footage to try to DIY with 3 kids and 3 dogs running around.  We decided to let someone else handle this project. Were we wrong on this one!  Let's start with a photo tour of the bad.  Ty and his dad and a friend of ours worked for 2 days to remove the parquet flooring in our entry and dining room.  Our agreement with the installer was that we would do as much as we could of the tear out to help save costs.  Our installer, let's call him...Mel, said that was fine and his guys would take care of the carpet since it was just pulling it up.  Well...We did the kitchen, the dining room and a big part of the entryway. My friend Michele and I did the small &
Read more