Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good DIY! Tis the season to be merry. And boy am I ever! Shortly after Turkey Day, my husband and I rushed to Joann's. While he played with bells, lights, and Christmas trains, I scoured shelf after shelf in search of more cardboard letters. Tragically, the letters for "Merry Christmas" had already been taken.
After countless minutes of begging, an employee finally searched the store's back room for any additional letters, but alas, it was in vain. Black Friday had left hardly any remnants. Down, but not out, I did what any respectable DIY'er would do. I adapted and overcame. Of course the inspiration this "Noel" was Anthropologie's zinc letters.
After countless minutes of begging, an employee finally searched the store's back room for any additional letters, but alas, it was in vain. Black Friday had left hardly any remnants. Down, but not out, I did what any respectable DIY'er would do. I adapted and overcame. Of course the inspiration this "Noel" was Anthropologie's zinc letters.
If you're a long time follower, then you may recall the last time I used aluminum foil and mod podge to create a metallic shine. Next, I dry brushed black paint on top for definition and for imperfections.


After the silver paint was dry, I used a black glaze. You can wipe it on, then wipe it off with a slightly damp cloth. Try to apply your glaze in inconsistent, haphazard ways. You want them to each look a little different in the end. As my Professor used to say in Hawaii "They should be same same, but different."

This is so great! I have got to try this! I love the look you were able to create for much less than the original!
ReplyDeleteCool! I love this look.
ReplyDeletexox
I love Zinc letters, your's look fab!
ReplyDeleteThey look awesome Becca! I love the NOEL!!
ReplyDeleteHi Becca,
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the great comments on my site! Your site is great. Love those letters! New follower.
Kelly
Your letters are look really cool and sophisticated!
ReplyDeleteBecca I am so doing this one, they look wonderful anywhere you would put them! I am with your professor,"same but different", is a good thing!
ReplyDeleteSaw your posts on AKA Design link party and love them all. Now following you! Can't wait to read more.
ReplyDeleteOoooh! I LOVE this!! I am so going to try this! Thanks for the inspiration!!!
ReplyDeleteI found you from Flaunt it Friday!
Jessica
thevelveteenrabbitblog.blogspot.com
wow so cool! love them :)
ReplyDeleteLove them! I was thinking about making some to say jOY!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the way your letters came out. So fantastic! I'd love for you to link this up to me Feature Friday Linky Party
ReplyDeletehttp://blissfulanddomestic.blogspot.com/search/label/feature%20friday
Wow! I just so love your style, well done! Can't wait to see whats next.
ReplyDeleteAwesome!!!! I love both ways!!! They really DO look like zinc!! :)
ReplyDeletexoxo laurie
Love this!! I think I'm going to try the foil one...it seems like it may be a bit cheaper too :) Popping over from TT&J! Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeletemichelleleeinteriors.blogspot.com
These look terrific! I made a "B" during the summer (inspired by you), but I STILL haven't hung it up--keep waiting to redecorate a room for it ;-)
ReplyDeleteBoth techniques are great, but I think your painted version is no ka oi!
ReplyDeletea hui hou, Shelly
I love how the letters turned out! Now, if we could just learn how to make the cardboard letters!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely loved how they turned out I need to make myself a set. I'd love you to add it to my link party at http://raegunwear.blogspot.com/2011/11/link-party-what-we-wore-and-made_29.html .
ReplyDeleteLove it!!! Thanks for linking up!
ReplyDeleteShannon
www.akadesign.ca
Wow! That is cool! Great job!
ReplyDeleteKara (your newest follower :)
www.petalstopicots.com
The letters look great. Beautiful technique. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteSharon @ mrshinesclass
Those are gorgeous! great job!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Thank you for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteLove them! If you have time I would love it if you would stop by and share this at my linky party starting Wed.
ReplyDeletemicheleravendesigns.blogspot.com
Very cute and creative!
ReplyDeleteThose are awesome! They look perfect next to that fan too!
ReplyDeleteGreat! I think they are all awesome, but agree, the foil has that real metallic shimmer. Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeleteKarah @ thespacebetweenblog
Great adaptation! A nice short word too - so you've got more places you can put it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
Hope you have a great week!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/
I Love it! It looks so great! I've been looking for a Christmas word project and this looks fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI can't decide between the two methods but I'm leaning toward the foil. All I know is I've gotta try this! Now I just gotta find some letters :p
ReplyDeleteDropping by from The Shabby Nest!
I love them both! Great job! I'm a new follower, and I'd love for you to share this at my Friday link party!
ReplyDeletehttp://oneartmama.blogspot.com/2011/12/shine-on-fridays-5-and-some-fabulous.html
Those are awesome! I definitely will be making my own!
ReplyDeleteI've been dying to make some of these! They look great!
ReplyDeleteOh man ... I've been coveting these at anthroplogie for months! I hope if I ever get around to making them they turn out like yours did!
ReplyDeleteHi there...I have a question...what program do you upload your blog photos into, I like how when you click on an image, all of the images from that post are presented on a black screen, almost a gallery feeling. Thanks Suzi
ReplyDeleteYou are featured on New Nostalgia's Anti-Procrastination Tuesday! Thanks for linking up!
ReplyDeleteI adore the NOEL letters! I like the painted ones best (from the photos). I've been wanting to do this forever and finally have a word to use it on... HOME ... for my daughters first house!
ReplyDeleteOh wow I really like this. I might have to try it out! Thanks
ReplyDeleteI really really REALLY like the outcome of these letters. TINfoil! Amazing. :)
ReplyDeleteShared on FJI Facebook and pinned for SNS 112. :)
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150513948506141&set=a.192514281140.164586.175378011140&type=1&theater
Donna
Great idea! I have modpodge and I have tin foil. Finding the letters will be difficult for me too!
ReplyDeleteThese look fabulous! I wanted to get some of these letters for my son's room - so glad that I can make them for so much cheaper! Thanks so much for linking up to The Creative Spark. I'll be featuring these tomorrow. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
ReplyDeleteJenn ;)
Oh my goodness, your faux zinc letters are AMAZING! I'd be thrilled if you popped by and shared this at the Head to Head Showdown, going on right now at www.icantstopcrafting.blogspot.com Feel free to link up a few of your favorite projects! ~Jen
ReplyDeleteLOVE!! Well done~ thanks for linking up at FNF! :)
ReplyDeleteThose are awesome! Who would've thought?? :)
ReplyDeleteThose are so great!
ReplyDeleteLove these thank you for your awesomeness! xoxo
ReplyDeleteBecca,
ReplyDeleteThese are awesome and I am so glad you linked them up to the party! I am pinning these :)
blessings,
karianne
Awesome! I really like the "letters" look and just bought a "B" at Hobby Lobby for my office to represent the "B" in BELLA.
ReplyDeleteNow I wish I had seen your tutorial! Great job.
This are amazing!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for linking it up at our "It's a Cinch" party!
:)
Linda
www.itallstartedwithpaint.com
I'm absolutely trying this technique to create zinc letters. Or zinc anything! It looks so realistic. I'm also planning to try your "recipe" for chalkboard paint to make over and old table. Every time I visit your blog, a new project gets added to my to-do list!
ReplyDeleteKelly
You know I love this! Thanks so much for sharing it at our party. :)
ReplyDeleteKarah
These are amazing!! Gotta love a good anthro knockoff!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you shared at our Cinch party.
Kelly
Love those NOEL letters! Between your 2 "faux metal" projects and another I saw, I'm really wanting to paint something faux metal!
ReplyDeleteWhen did you live in HI? What island? I lived on Oahu from 05-07.
--Katie