While I’m off in NYC, my friend (in blogland and in real life) Beckie is guest posting for me. She’s sharing one of my very favorite projects of hers – enjoy!!
Hello Thrifty readers! I am Beckie, from Infarrantly Creative.
I am a red-headed, left-handed, frugal-living, roadkill-rescuing, furniture revamping, creative-minded, spray-painting, fun-loving Midwest girl living in the land of corn and the Colts.
I came to share a thrifty project with you. Just like Sarah I love perusing through catalogs for inspiration. Ballard Designs catalog is at the top of the pile. I saw the Acanthus Cut-Out Plaque from Ballard’s about a year ago. Isn't it gorgeous?
I looooove it. Did you see the price tag? I haaaaate it. So what does one do?
Recreate it of course for 3.54% of the price (yes I am a math nerd)! 

Their version is made out of tole metal. Unfortunately, I am not a metal fabricator, nor do I pretend to know what tole metal is. However, I do have some wood and a jigsaw.
1. I got a piece of 1/4" luan plywood cut to the size of 24" x 36". They sell a 2’ x 4’ piece for $5.47 at the Home Depot.
2. Then using a pencil and my catalog for inspiration I drew the design on the wood.

6. I wanted to cover some of the blemishes give the piece some texture. So I thought and thought about how to give it a little texture with the supplies I had on hand. Hmmmm....how about Mod Podge? So I went and got a test piece of wood and a sponge and pounced Mod Podge all over it.
7. Since the Mod Podge sealed it I didn't need to primer it so I spray painted it Canyon Black. It still needed something. I used a glaze mixed with some brown craft paint and painted it on and then used a damp paper towel to remove some of it. It gave it the depth of color that I was looking for and almost resembled the “tole” metal of the Ballard’s one.
8. Then using a $5 miter box and saw I cut molding to frame it out, spray painting that also.

Then I nailed everything in place. I love how the blue walls show through the vine cut outs.
Note: Next to the Acanthus Cut-Out is 2 blank canvases with fabric stapled to them and also trimmed out. What do you think? If I would have ordered one it would have cost $253.95 with shipping. This cost me $9! Move over Thrifty Decor Chick ;-)
I would love for you to come visit me at Infarrantly Creative. If you like this process I will give you a sneak peek of a new project that I am working on…

You will have to come to “my house” to see the rest. See you there!
That blew my mind!! Makes me want a miter saw... My hubby would love to see me with power tools!
ReplyDeleteThis turned out perfectly.
ReplyDeleteI like my jig saw, but love my scroll saw :)
Super creative and beautiful! I hope to one day be able and brave enough to try a project like that. It seems simple in your tutorial but I'm still a bit intimidated. Great job!
ReplyDeletemanymomentsofme.blogspot.com
I love, love, love this. Wish I was as handy with a saw as you are. From one math nerd to another: good job!
ReplyDeleteVery cute Beckie!!! And I can't wait to see your quatrefoil project. It looks fabulous!!
ReplyDeletexox
Jen
Ahhh!!! I wish I had the guts to try something like this! :) You are A.MAZ.ING!
ReplyDeleteThat is so beautiful! Stunning, fantastic, .....I don't think I could do it, though... :(
ReplyDeleteNow I have two more tolls on my wishlist. Maybe with some practise...
Grea job, and 'm heading over to your hous as we speak..
WOW! I have a hard time making a circle with my jig saw, let along this sort of pattern!! And it's so pretty!
ReplyDeleteAnd, if you made a 2nd, you could use it as a stencil!
Wow, that looks all sorts of amazing. I now officially need a jigsaw :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I love it! She is so fantastically creative!
ReplyDeleteOh, I LOVE that! Isn't it crazy what it would have cost you from the catalog?? Way to go!! Thanks for the idea . . . I'll check out your blog for more wonderful ideas.
ReplyDeletecheryl
wow! You're getting really good with that jigsaw! This looks fabulous Beckie!
ReplyDeletegail
ps hope sarah is having a blast!
wow. She did an amazing job. I love when someone is able to DIY so much cheaper than the store. yippy
ReplyDeleteToo cool! LOVE IT! I wonder...could you get the same effect from a piece of foam core board? Hmmm...I may have to try it and see...:)
ReplyDeleteLove it!! I have two art niches begging for something like this. Bookmarking it for later! :)
ReplyDeletedesign looks great-very fresh--and boy did you give me an idea for the dremel tool!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat's so pretty and you make it look so easy! I want a jig saw and a dremel!
ReplyDeleteI am very impresses. I wish I wasn't such a chicken when it came to power tools.
ReplyDeleteWow, that's fabulous! I love it!
ReplyDeleteFANTASTIC!!!! this is just lovely :)
ReplyDelete~Emily N. from "too Blessed to Stress"
I love the whole thing! I have to know, what is the name of the fabric pattern and where did you get it? It goes perfectly with the cut out!
ReplyDeleteHey, Girl! Love the guest post - and the project. In fact, I think I want a jigsaw for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteHa! I bought a Rotozip a few years back and that thing had a mind of its own. Since then, Hubs wouldn't let me near anything with power that cuts. Think I could handle a jig saw though.
The painting is perfect, too, btw.
I love it. We will have to get us (me) some power tools. :) Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous. I do wonder how you use the same frames when the wood has got to be much thicker than the fabric?
ReplyDeleteyou did a great job! lovesss it!
ReplyDeleteIf I get over my fear of power tools, I would totally make this! You are a creative genius!
ReplyDeleteI think I'd struggle to cut anything other than a loose curve with a Jigsaw! Not sure how you managed the more intricate bits but well done anyway. Looks great.
ReplyDeleteThat's some great use of a powertool :) I've tried working with a jigsaw, but I can't say I did it well.
ReplyDeleteI've been getting inspiration from your blog for a while now, so I thought I show my face a little. Thank you for bringing inspiration and motivation and feel free to go to my blog :)