Even though I think it’s honestly my longest “ongoing” project (I’m SO sorry Mallie), I wasn’t planning to post about it yet. Mostly because I think I’m waiting for Dean to make me some “arms” for it. Maybe. But, I seem to have given away a full photo of it in my last post, so I thought it more than fair game at this point to post about the whole project.
Early this year, Mallie sent me a wonderful box full of goodies from DecoArt along with some wonderful advice after I described my project wishes. And I couldn’t be happier with the finished project!
But before I give you the DIY, here are my inspiration pics: a collection of old worn clock faces from Pottery Barn, Velvet & Linen and a couple of other images that I can’t for the life of me figure out where I found them (if you know, please tell me so I can give credit). ** I found them! Apparently Perch (in New Orleans) sells the huge clock faces. See here. **
Okay, now that you’re drooling on your computer, are you ready for the DIY low-down?
Supplies Needed:
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Paint:I used DecoArt Americana paints in Snow (Titanium) White, Buttermilk, Burnt Sienna, Lamp (Ebony) Black, Williamsburg Blue, Neutral Grey
**I have noticed in Canada we can even get DecoArt paints at Dollarama! -
DecoArt Weathered Wood Crackling Medium
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3′ x 3′ x 1/4″ unprimed mdf
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2″ letter/number stencils (I used cheapo cardboard ones from Walmart)
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Pencil
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Small paint brush
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Black permanent marker
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Foam brushes
- Sanding block
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Large tray, smaller round cup
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OPTIONAL: Behr glazing medium, Minwax wood stain in Special Walnut
Tutorial:
Step 1: Paint the entire surface of the mdf in Lamp Black. Let dry.
Step 2: Slap on some Burnt Sienna. Don’t cover all the black. Use as much or as little as you like. Let dry.
Step 3: Moving fairly quickly, brush Weathered Wood Crackling Medium over the entire surface. This stuff goes on weird and thick. Watch it dry - just because it’s fun!
Step 4: Using a mixture of Snow White and Buttermilk (mix to your liking), paint over DRY Weathered Wood Crackling Medium. Watch this dry too – SO COOL!
Step 5: Using a large round tray (or whatever you have on hand) trace a huge circle onto your clock face, first in pencil and then trace over in black marker.
Step 6: Using a round cup (I used Ikea plastic kids cups) draw circles around the larger circle for putting your numbers in. You may want to use a measuring tape and pencil to mark off even intervals around your clock face. I pretty much eyeballed it.
Step 7: Using a small brush, paint the circles with Lamp Black paint. Be neat and tidy. Let dry.
Step 8: Using cardboard stencil cutouts and very little Williamsburg Blue paint on your brush (like dry-brush stencilling), stencil the numbers 1-12 on top of black circles. Let dry.
Step 9: Using a sanding block, give a good sanding to the entire clock surface.
Optional Step 10:I wanted to give my clock face a little further aging and even protection from our three children and all their cousins, so I mixed about 1/2 a cup of Behr Glaze with about a tbsp of Minwax Special Walnut and applied to the entire surface. I forgot how much the stain stinks when wet…please use a mask or open all the windows. Truth be told, I went to bed with a migraine after I applied the stain. Thus my warning about the smell (when wet – it goes away when the stain drys) in our headboard post.
And that’s it, nine (maybe ten) easy-peasy steps and voila! Gorgeous old worn clock face!
Again, thank you to Mallie and Decoart!! I’m so sorry it took me so long!
[...] Shannon from {aka}|design was inspired by all the old worn clock faces being featured in high-end catalogs to create one of her own. She started off with a large piece of MDF and a slew of products she received from a manufacturer. Shannon wasn’t afraid to blend styles and add a little modern fun to the aged look with the bubbly circles and curled numbers. (In case you couldn’t tell, the clock’s “hands” are still in the works.) [...]