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There are many options for altering the masonite pieces. Acrylic paints, covering with paper, gold leafing, the list goes on and on, however I decided to spray paint my pieces which was super quick and easy. I simply laid them on cardboard and applied 2 coats of red spray paint to each side.
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The spray paint gave wonderful, even coverage and like I said, was really fast!
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Next using some archival black ink and a script stamp, I stamped a few of my pieces. Loved how this looked! The pieces are nice and flat and if you alter the pieces prior to assembling they are really easy to work with. Anything you can do on a canvas can be done to the pieces! The sky is the limit.
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To speed things up I used my heat gun to dry the ink. This also helps "heat set" a bit.
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Assembly is very easy. Just use a bit of glue inside the recessed notches. Just about any white glue will work. I use my
Matte Modge Podge for just about everything and it's great for the kits. Elmers, gel medium, wood glue, etc. will also work just fine.
For this kit, it's easiest to attach the sides first.
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Next attach the top, again placing the glue in the notches. The door goes in next with the top hinge inside the hole. The bottom gets attached next with the bottom hinge inside the bottom hole. This lets the door swing open and closed! This one is really easy to put together and instructions are also on the package.
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Finally, attach the lovely decorative header!
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And done! Super easy.
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I wanted to give my piece an aged look so I added some
Patina Gilders Paste using my finger. I really focused on the edges of the piece. Remember in my
Gilders Paste Tutorial I told you how great it looks over painted pieces? Well there you have it.
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I attached them to the inside of my piece using
Mod Podge.
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I placed it on the back side of my door and then roughly traced out the piece with a sharpie. You'll want to leave a bit of a border so you can attach it to the back of the window.
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I've found that the very best way to attach a transparency (or vellum) is using
Incredi-tape! It's crystal clear so you don't see it through the transparency and there will never be bubbles. Plus it's amazingly strong. The
1/8" Incredi-tape is really thin and perfect for something like this.
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Beautiful! It looks like stained glass.
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The
Door Shrine Kits do come with door knobs, however I wanted something a bit fancier. The kits were designed to go perfectly with several of our new
Brass Door Knob Plates. The plates fit right over the existing key hole in the door! How cool is that? I used the Fancy Brass Key Plate with the Rhinestone Knob.
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Of course I had to add a bit of
Patina Gilders Paste to the Key Plate too. And as a final touch I attached another Gilded
Masonite Gear to the header, layered with a random watch part.
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Finished! (or am I?)
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As you can see the door swings open and closed!
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The Door Shrine Kits are also sized to hold ATCs. You can use it to showcase one, or use the piece as storage for several!
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I wanted to highlight the transparency image so I had an idea...
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I went to Target and purchased a LED battery powered
color changing light to put inside.
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The photos really don't do it justice. It's very cool!
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Notice the changing color!
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You could make some lovely Light up Christmas Houses too.
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Oh, I think my piece may be haunted! lol. I love this happy accident thanks to my shutter speed :).
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Door Shrine Kit ideas:
1. Decorate your kit and use it to house a gift card for giving.
2. Create a lighted village for your mantel.
3. Use them to showcase or store ATCs.
4. Create a totem pole or building by attaching the kits by the sides (and tops with the Traditional Door Kit).
5. Use it as a traditional shrine to honor a person, place, or thing.
6. Turn your piece into an ornament.
7. Attach the back to a larger piece or assemblage.
8. Create a secret book to hide inside.
9. And a hook on the back and hang them on the wall to display family photos or secret treasures.
10. Use them to present a handmade gift such as some handmade jewelry. Especially if you are like me and you don't like wrapping presents.
Just a few ideas. I'm sure there are many more. As always, please feel free to use any of the ideas and/or techniques presented in this tutorial! Also, check out the fabulous Door Kits created by the
Design Team. Have fun! xo
