Monday, July 16, 2012

Clock Redo




I needed a new clock in the bathroom and I had this basic cheap plastic one that worked perfectly. However, I thought it looked rather ugly in my bathroom so I decided to redo it to my taste.


The clear cover popped off rather easily with gentle encouragement from a screwdriver near the tab that holds it in place.

Next I gently lifted the hands off one at a time then on the back using the screw driver again I coaxed the two tabs away from the mechanism and freed it from the back of the housing.

I used a basic ivory color spray paint on the housing then the next day took some sand paper to it to give it the aged look I wanted.

I printed out some pictures on regular paper though card stock would work really well; and cut them out using the original clock face as a template. Then, I took the clock face to Kinko’s and ask them to help me copy it on to a transparency. They always help me like this; it might be the sweet ole gramma look I give them :) I cut out the clock face transparency the size I needed (there was a handy little outline on it after it was copied onto transparency) Printing on a transparency allows it to be placed over any background and I don’t have to try to fill in the numbers by hand hoping to get them in the right spot. There are also clock faces you can download online.



I auditioned different face covers to see which look I liked best.  I’m sure you recognize this one.


I found this beautiful graphic at Graphic’s Fairy; it was this nice blue color.


On this one I copied the graphic in black and white and lightened it to a nice grey.


On this one I used a colored pencil to add yellow into the black and white copy around the edges where the blue had been.
The clock face transparency over some pics just didn’t work but I didn’t really need it anyway.


I even had some fun with my chalkboard contact paper.
A couple of different views to show you the aging or distressing around the outside with the sand paper.

It only cost me a couple of dollars for the copies as I already had the spray paint leftover from another project. I still have one problem to solve though. I can’t decide which one I like the best!
*Join on Wednesdays for Wow Us Wednesday*

I linked this post at Between Naps on the Porch, Craft-O-Maniac, Jellibean Journals,The Graphics Fairy, A Lettered Life, Conerstone Confessions, Tip Junkie, Sunny Simple Life, Handy Man Crafty Woman, The Thrifty Home, Uncommon, Bear Rabbit Bear, The Brambleberry Cottage, Have a Cup of Mrs.Olson, Love Bakes Good Cakes, Chic on a Shoestring, FRENCH COUNTRY, My Turn, The Shabby Nest, Living Life Intentionally, Cheerios and Lattes, Nifty Thrifty Things, Bloom and Grandma's Briefs and The Shabby Creek Cottage.


Copyright© Family Home and Life 2012 All Rights Reserved

48 comments:

  1. This is a cool idea! I really like the one with "Gold Cream" but I think it depends on your decor.

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  2. I like the bird nest. It reminds me of a certain blog operated by a "sweet ole gramma!"

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  3. What a great idea! I love the one with the nest. If it works with your decor, I'd use that one.

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    1. The nest one kinds does look like me doesn't it :)

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  4. How cool! But I somehow fear I would never get it apart that easy and if so never get it back together again but it would be worth a try! I love the one that matches your site but I think for your bathroom the Rose cold cream ones - perfect for a bathroom! I like the gray but guess it depends on your color scheme. Great idea!!

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    1. Taking it apart was so much easier than I anticipated. You can do it, I know you can :)

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  5. Genius idea! I'll never skip over another potential clock knowing how to transform it into one that I truly love! :)

    xoxo laurie

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    1. It was fun and now I'm having all kinds of ideas for anouther one. Hmmm....

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  6. I love the idea of using one of those cheap clocks. I see another project getting added to my list.

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    1. There are so many ways to bling it up too. Wish I had more time, I could really have some fun with it.

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  7. As always, you are oh-so crafty. Love it! I think my favorite is the cold cream one with the blue coloring. I use quite a bit from the Graphics Fairy. She has great stuff.

    Thank you for linking to the GRAND Social, my crafty friend!

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    1. Thanks Lisa, and thank you for hosting. Graphics Fairy is great!

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  8. Hi, coming here via the Jellibean journal bloghop. Wow! That's such a cool idea!

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  9. BIRDS NEST!!!

    Having said that, my first and then continuing thought during the entire post was " how would she even THINK of such a thing"

    Totally Non Creative Loser here saying that ha ha / you are amazing!

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    1. Oh my gosh! For someone who claims they are non creative.....that was a great creative way to say thank your blog, and you have amazing pics. I think you are creative.

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  10. But thinking more..doing something like this for special occasions ? For instance a clock is specially created to commemorate a wedding or child's birthday...? nice gift or made to custom for people!

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    1. Exactly! See how creative you are??? How about a scarp book page as a clock face?

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  11. I am still thinking about it...www.conniescustomclocks.com

    I want one. Now, for one of my SONs bathrooms ? We gotta have a guy clock
    Should have a cartoon and it should state that old saying about S or get off the pot! :) yes, this would be a big winner with the guys :)

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    1. Lol!!!! you are too funny! Waiting for THAT post ;)

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  12. Thanks for the tutorial.I want to try it on a crocheted background. Now I know how to remove the clock mechanism.

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    1. That would be nice! Can you send a pic? I'll post it here. How about a doily? It that what your are thinking of? Anyone else who trys this, send me a pic and I will post it.

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  13. Hi Connie, I love what you did with the clock! I can see why you are having a hard time choosing which you like best. I am such a bird lover that I thought for sure that would be my favorite, but I think that the first or 2nd Cold Cream won me over. I love that you painted it white. You gave a great tutorial and i think it would be so fun to try this sometime. I am now following you.
    Hugs,
    Jann

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    1. Thanks and thanks for following me! I actually had decided on the grey cold cream one until I started reading these comments. Now I have so many Ideas I may go back to the drawing board! It was fun so I may just do it :)

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  14. What a great idea, Connie - and I think it would be a cute housewarming gift! Pinned it :) I also stopped by to let you know I nominated you for the Liebster Award ... You can read more about it here ~ http://www.lovebakesgoodcakes.com/2012/07/all-my-bloggy-friends-4-and-liebster.html

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    1. Thanks for the pin! Another award?! Wow, headed over to see it, thank you!

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    2. Thank you for sharing at All my Bloggy Friends, Connie! Wishing you a great weekend! Btw, just wanted to thank you for our little chat the other day! :)

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  15. Wow that is an amazing transformation. I love the old time vintage look of it. Hey that would look great in by den.

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    1. I have so many more ideas now after posting this that I want to run out and buy more clocks! We'll see what happens though, not much extra time :( Thanks for stopping by.

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  16. I love how the clock turned out! I see cheap plastic clocks all the time at thrift stores and discount stores. I've never given them a second thought. I love this idea and the apothecary lavel is wonderful!

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    1. I've never given them a second thought either but now I wish I had a dozen to play with :) Glad you stopped by.

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  17. This is such a good idea! And, so simple!

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    1. Crazy right? It was a 'duh!' moment for sure! Yes it is super simple.

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  18. I always look for a clock to match my decor:( I kinda had it backwards since I now Know I can just change the face of my clock. Yes, I love Kinko's, they can make anything for you:)
    Thank you for sharing this very clever idea at Freedom Fridays:)
    Have a perfectly great day!

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    1. I'm itching for some extra time to make more now :)

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  19. They're all wonderful, Connie! But I think the cold cream graphic is MY favorite. ;)

    Thanks for linking to Time Travel Thursday. Hope you'll join the fun each week. Be sure to stop in tonight to see yourself featured.

    Blessings,
    Liz @ The Brambleberry Cottage

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    1. What an honor to be featured!!! Thanks so much! Just between you and me? I picked the grey graphic ;)

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  20. The gold cream is my favorite, what a beautiful change you made, it looks beautiful.

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    1. Thank you, it was a very fun and rewarding project.

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  21. seen you features over at Brambleberry Cottage and I love the graphics on the Cold Cream
    it would look great in any room in my house

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    1. Thanks for stoping by. I think it would look good in any room too :)

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  22. This looks so great! What a great idea. Thank you for posting on Saturday Show and Tell. I hope you'll be back this week with more.
    -Mackenzie
    http://www.cheeriosandlattes.com

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    1. You've been featured on Saturday Show & Tell on Cheerios and Lattes this week! Thanks again for sharing! :)
      Mackenzie

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    2. Wow! Thanks for the honor, I'm headed over right now to see it! Thanks again :)

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  23. I have that clock. Hmmm maybe I will do something like this with it! Thanks for the tutorial. I love the cream one with the yellow.

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  24. Love your blog and this project - so creative and fun and it looks so vintage (yet clean)!! Just wanted to let you know I featured it in my roundup of clock re-dos and makeovers here. Feel free to check it out if you want and hope you like it! : )

    -Mel the Crafty Scientist

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Thank you SO much for taking the time to leave a comment!