Crafting the Charming Shiplap Owl Door Hanger: A Step-by-Step Tutorial
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Welcome to Janet's Craft Corner, where we're excited to share our latest DIY project - the Shiplap Owl Door Hanger! This adorable and whimsical piece is the perfect way to greet your guests and add a touch of personality to your home decor. In this in-depth tutorial, we'll walk you through the entire process, from painting the wood cutouts to incorporating scrapbook paper for a unique mixed media look.
Gathering Your Supplies
To get started, you'll need the Shiplap Owl Door Hanger Wood Cutouts from our shop. This kit includes all the pre-cut pieces you'll need to assemble your owl, including the body, wings, eyes, and feet.
In addition to the wood cutouts, you'll also need the following supplies:
- FolkArt Multi-Surface Paints in the following colors: Linen, Moon Yellow, Lamp Black, Titanium White, Mystic Turquoise, Honeycomb, and Real Brown
- Art Institute Precision Craft Glue
- Sanding block
With your supplies gathered, let's dive into the step-by-step process of creating your own Shiplap Owl Door Hanger!
Painting the Wood Cutouts
The first step in our project is to paint the wood cutouts. We'll be using a variety of techniques, including dry brushing, to achieve the perfect look for our owl.
Painting the Owl Body
We'll start by painting the owl's body and head. Using the Linen color from the FolkArt Multi-Surface Paint line, we'll apply the paint in long, even strokes from left to right on the head and up and down on the body. This will help create the shiplap effect that gives our owl its unique character.
Next, we'll move on to the yellow pieces, using the Moon Yellow paint. Again, we'll apply the paint in long, consistent strokes, keeping our brush movements going from the inside out to ensure the lines show up clearly. Once the yellow is applied, we'll use an X-acto knife to clean up any areas where the paint may have overlapped.
Dry Brushing Technique
Now, it's time to add some depth and texture to our owl with the dry brushing technique. We'll be using two shades of brown - the Honeycomb (a taupey color) and the Real Brown (a darker, richer brown).
To dry brush, we'll start by dipping our brush into the Honeycomb paint, then wiping off most of the paint on a paper towel or rag. We'll then lightly brush the paint onto the owl's body, focusing on the areas where we want to create shadows and depth. This will help accentuate the shiplap texture.
Next, we'll repeat the process with the Real Brown paint, applying it even more lightly to create a subtle layered effect. The key to successful dry brushing is to use a light touch and remove most of the paint from the brush before applying it to the surface.
Painting the Eyes and Feet
With the body and head painted, we'll move on to the eyes and feet. For the eyes, we'll use the Titanium White and Mystic Turquoise paints. The white scalloped pieces will sit on top of the teal circles, creating a layered effect.
As for the feet, we'll use the Lamp Black paint to give them a bold, contrasting color against the rest of the owl.
Incorporating Scrapbook Paper
Now that the painting is complete, it's time to add a unique touch to our Shiplap Owl Door Hanger by incorporating scrapbook paper. This mixed media approach will give our project an extra layer of visual interest and personality.
Preparing the Scrapbook Paper
To begin, we'll take the wood piece that we want to cover with scrapbook paper and lay it upside down on the paper. We'll then cut the paper to size, making it as close to the shape of the wood piece as possible.
Next, we'll apply a generous coat of Mod Podge to the wood piece, making sure to cover the entire surface. It's important to keep the Mod Podge wet, as we'll be adhering the scrapbook paper to it in the next step.
Adhering the Scrapbook Paper
Carefully place the scrapbook paper onto the Mod Podge-coated wood piece, and gently slide it around until the edges line up as best as possible. It's important to note that some of the pieces, like the wings, have a definite top and bottom, so be mindful of the orientation as you're adhering the paper.
If you have trouble getting the paper lined up before the Mod Podge dries, simply pull it off and apply another coat. The dried Mod Podge underneath won't affect the adhesion of the new layer.
Finishing Touches
Once the scrapbook paper is adhered, use a small piece of sandpaper to gently smooth the edges, ensuring a clean, finished look.
Assembling the Shiplap Owl Door Hanger
With the painting and scrapbook paper application complete, it's time to assemble our Shiplap Owl Door Hanger. This step is crucial, as we'll need to ensure the pieces are properly aligned and securely glued together.
Positioning the Pieces
Start by laying out all the pieces and identifying the different sizes. There are larger pieces and smaller pieces that will need to be positioned correctly.
The key to a successful assembly is to first place the pieces that go underneath, ensuring that the wing pieces will be holding them in place. Apply a generous amount of the Art Institute Precision Craft Glue to the wing pieces, as this will be the main point of connection for the entire structure.
Aligning the Pieces
Once the wing pieces are in place, carefully position the rest of the owl's body, making sure the outside edges are aligned properly. The inside edges can be a bit more forgiving, as long as the outer edges are secure.
Pay close attention to the eyes and feet, as there is a specific orientation for these pieces. The teal circles should be placed first, followed by the white scalloped pieces on top. For the feet, make sure to position them correctly, as there is a slight curve difference that needs to be accounted for.
Gluing and Drying
With all the pieces in place, apply a generous amount of glue to the seams and joints, ensuring a strong and durable connection. Allow the glue to dry completely before moving on to the next step.
Finishing Touches and Display
Now that your Shiplap Owl Door Hanger is fully assembled, it's time to add any final touches and prepare it for display.
Dry Brushing Revisited
Take a look at your dry brushing work from earlier. If you feel it could use a bit more depth or definition, now is the time to go back and add a few more light, dry brushed strokes with the Honeycomb and Real Brown paints.
Displaying Your Shiplap Owl
Your Shiplap Owl Door Hanger is now ready to be proudly displayed! Hang it on your front door, or place it on a shelf or mantel to greet your guests with its charming, whimsical presence.
We hope you've enjoyed this step-by-step tutorial and that your Shiplap Owl Door Hanger turns out beautifully. Be sure to share your finished project with us on social media using the hashtag #janetscraftcorner. We'd love to see your creation!
More DIY Craft Kits from Janet's Craft Corner
If you enjoyed making the Shiplap Owl Door Hanger, be sure to check out our other easy-to-make DIY craft kits available in the Janet's Craft Corner shop. From seasonal decor to home accents, we have a wide variety of projects to choose from. Visit our shop today to explore more creative possibilities!
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If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out to us at janet@janetscraftcorner.com. We're always happy to help!
Happy crafting!