Antique Window {Raven} Decoration

October 4, 2012

 
 Like I mentioned yesterday, I found this antique window at a garage sale at the end of July.  For $4 – it was a steal!  I had been imagining a Raven themed mantel and this would be perfect!  This Antique window decoration is the centerpiece of  my mantelscape!
 

antique window raven decoration

 
My first plan was to have the window horizontal with a murder of ravens flying across it.  {Did you know that a flock of ravens is called a murder of ravens?  Makes it even spookier, right?}

Well, I could not find any raven images that I liked.  Then I came across this one of the raven in the ornate, antique bird cage.  I consulted with a few bloggy friends who assured me this was the way to go.  {Thanks ladies!  You know who you are!}

 

My little window was in some rough shape and needed a little love.  When I brought it home, it was an olive green color.  I began sanding and chipping away to discover five layers of paint!  That’s when I enlisted the husband’s help.  Now keep in mind, Kyle does NOT usually help with my crafting.  But give him a chance to use a power tool and he’s there.

 

 

Thirty minutes later, he had made his way to the original wood layer.

I taped off the inside of the window so that I wouldn’t get the glass all messy when I began painting.

 

I’ve been wanting to try the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint forever, and this was the perfect opportunity!

To antique and distress the window, I used a technique that Jamielyn from I Heart Nap Time used on her blog – vasoline.  {To see the full tutorial – click here.}

 

I coated the inner and outer edges with the vasoline.  I also used some over the areas where there was old paint left over.

Let the painting (and drying) commence!

The great thing about it was it really one took one coat of paint!  Perfect for someone as inpatient as me!

 

While it was drying, I went inside, fired up the Cameo and got to work on the vinyl birdcage cutout.  The dimensions of the window are 31.5 inches by 37.5 inches.  Knowing that, I blew up the image to roughly 15.5 inches by 25 inches.  Since, the Cameo will only cut what is in the grid, I had to keep moving the image around to get it cut out correctly.  Make sure your vinyl sections kind of overlap as you are cutting it out so you know where to place them when we get to that part.

 

 
Six sections and almost eight feet of vinyl later, and it was all cut out.

The next morning, I distressed the edges.  I used a grit sanding paper and it came off without fuss.

After slowly and painstakingly removing the extra vinyl, I was ready to being piecing the birdcage together on the window.

To center it, I had to use my mad math skillz.  =)  31.5 inches in half is approximately 15.5 inches.  I measured 15.5 inches in.  The total height of the birdcage is 25 inches (subtract from 37.5 inches) and you are left with 12.5 inches.  Divide 12.5 inches in half which is 6 (and something) inches.  I measured 6 inches down from the halfway point.  Make sense?

Mark with a piece of painter’s tape.

Begin applying the vinyl.  I started at the top since the top of the bird cage made a great landmark.

Using your standard transfer paper, apply the section of vinyl to the window.  Rub firmly.

Slowly remove the transfer paper to reveal your vinyl.  And that was all the further I got.

What?

Well, as I was applying the second piece of vinyl, I was leaning over the window (knee on the window but not my weight) to balance.  I leaned back on my foot and it WENT THROUGH THE WINDOW!  (Thankfully the window was just cracked and remained intact.)

My project had to take a quick intermission as I went to the ER to have stitches.

 

Three hours, four stitches and a tetanus shot later I was back home.  Granted, most people would have called it a day.  But I was not going to let that window get the best of me.

I finished it but I didn’t take anymore project pictures because I was so mad.

As you lay the rest vinyl, be careful with the overlapping.  I had to stop and trim some sections because of how “open” the image is.

Here was the end result after I finished that evening.  If you look carefully where the arrow is pointing, you can see the crack in the glass.

That is why this was a labor of love and pain.  But I can say that I am totally in love with it now!

 
{If you made it all the way through this post, you should get an award.}
What do you think?  I can’t wait to reuse this window, again and again!!

Jill
Linking up to these fabulous parties!
Thursday 

Throwback Thursday @ Hubby Made Me 
Thursdays are Your Days @ 52 Mantels
Keep Calm and Link Up @ Chase the Star
Friday Fun Party @ Craftionary
Happy Hour Friday @ Happy Hour Projects
Inspiration Friday @ At the Picket Fence

Link It Up Thursday @ Seven Alive
Artsy Corner @ Artsy Fartsy Mama

Friday
 Create & Inspire Party @ A Night Owl 
 

Saturday
Spotlight Saturday @ Classy Clutter

Strut Your Stuff @ Six Sisters’ Stuff
Overflowing with Creativity @ It’s Overflowing  
Saturday Seven @ Positively Splendid
  
Sunday
Sundae Scoop @ I Heart Nap Time 
 Think Pink @ Flamingo Toes
 

About the author

Jill @ Create.Craft.Love. Author: Jill Fritz is a full time outside the home working mommy turned craft blogger. She offers craft/DIY tutorials for Pinterest addicts, craft junkies, DIY fanatics and busy mamas. Jill started Create.Craft.Love. as place to showcase her craftiness and to encourage others to do the same. Create.Craft.Love is a place where passion and creativity collide! Google

Filed Under: cameo, chalk paint, distressing, vinyl, window 18 Comments

Comments

  1. Amanda Joy {Joy in the Jumble} says:
    October 4, 2012 at 1:03 pm

    I just love how this turned out, and for only $4… makes it extra awesome:)

    Reply
  2. House on the Way says:
    October 4, 2012 at 1:32 pm

    Too cool for words! Love it!
    Leslie
    House on the Way

    Reply
  3. Steph @ Crafting in the Rain says:
    October 4, 2012 at 5:37 pm

    Very cool–I love how the image is spooky with the cage and bird, but so fancy with the “beaded chandelier” look!

    Reply
  4. Kristy Creighton says:
    October 5, 2012 at 1:16 am

    That’s is SO cool!! I love it! I’m a little kooky anyway, but I’m not sure I would even change it! LOL Just keep it up all year round!

    Kristy @ Shona Skye Creations
    http://shonaskye.blogspot.com

    Reply
  5. Nancy at maddalee™ says:
    October 5, 2012 at 1:35 am

    Hi Jill, I really like the raven pic…and the whole mantel. Thank you so much for sharing.

    Have a good day, Nancy

    Reply
  6. SweetPepperRose says:
    October 5, 2012 at 1:40 am

    As always, a great upcycled project!

    Reply
  7. Vanessa @ See Vanessa Craft says:
    October 5, 2012 at 3:35 pm

    LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!! I’d love for you to link this up to Do Something Crafty Friday: http://seevanessacraft.com/2012/10/do-something-crafty-60/

    Reply
  8. Kristy LifenReflection says:
    October 5, 2012 at 4:07 pm

    what a great idea, I love it when can repurpose things!

    Reply
  9. Barbara Hiatt says:
    October 8, 2012 at 7:13 am

    You’re so talented Jill! What a great job you did with the window and the entire vignette! I’m stumbling!
    Barbara at Chase the Star

    Reply
  10. Emi says:
    October 8, 2012 at 5:25 pm

    wow you are really so talented! this makes me want to go find something to repurpose..my husband is much better at it than i am! i love your darling blog & we’re your new followers! come follow along at chaseandem.blogspot.com Xo

    Reply
  11. Kelly @ Here Comes the Sun says:
    October 10, 2012 at 12:13 am

    I love this window and the entire mantel. You’re very talented. Pinning this now.

    Reply
  12. Lindsay @Artsy-Fartsy Mama says:
    October 11, 2012 at 6:40 pm

    Love this window!! You are so talented. Thanks so much for linking this up at Artsy Corner! :)

    Reply
  13. ohiofarmgirl says:
    October 13, 2012 at 8:17 pm

    Oh my word, this sounds like the kind of projects I get myself into…lol. I am happy you are ok but I am not sure I would be scraping that off any time soon…enjoy it as a vintage image and forget it is Halloween! Dianntha I enjoyed this so much..thank you

    Reply
  14. Buffie Nelson says:
    October 14, 2012 at 4:47 am

    I just love it! You make it look so easy with your wonderful pictures.
    Thanks for the great idea.

    Buffie
    http://papercuts4u.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  15. Tina Bland says:
    October 16, 2012 at 3:16 am

    Love the Raven!!! I’m from Baltimore, so Ravens have a special place in my life;)

    http://notsoblandlife.blogspot.com

    Reply
  16. Aimee - ItsOverflowing.com says:
    October 19, 2012 at 5:29 pm

    Too cute! I’m featuring you today. XO, Aimee

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Faux Mercury Glass Ornament says:
    December 17, 2012 at 8:02 pm

    [...] since the foot going through the glass stitches incident {you can read about that here}, I am not allowed to use power tools.  {Or any tools for that matter..LOL}  So I enlisted the [...]

    Reply
  2. Power Tool Safety says:
    May 21, 2013 at 7:56 am

    [...] to try something other than my glue gun on a project, he reminds me of my foot going through my Antique Window Raven Decoration.  {If you don’t know about that, you can read about it here.}  It was a bloody mess [...]

    Reply

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