American Crafter Finals!

Welcome to the American Crafter Finals!!

I can't believe the time has come. I'm going to miss these amazing ladies . They really have blown me out of the water with their ingenuity! And this week was no exception. I'm proud to introduce you to...

#1 Re-purposed Shutters Headboard

by...Michell (Girl in Air)

Tutorial

The FINALS!! Wow! I'm so excited to be here!! This is my first competition ever and I'm gonna be so sad when it's over...I would first like to THANK Amy for all her hard work and giving me this opportunity! And to the Judges for giving me encouraging feedback on my projects and the sponsors for offering up fabulous prizes whether I'm 3rd or the grand prize winner THANK YOU!!  

 I'm right in the middle of a master bedroom makeover......so I thought I would submit the headboard the hubby and I made last weekend for the finals! I've always wanted to make my own headboard!

So when I found some old shutters at the Habitat Store....I KNEW exactly what I wanted to do with them! 

We cut them in half, cut a groove down the center of the 2x6's and placed the shutters in the bottom and clamped on the top. Next, did the same to the side of the 4x4 posts and screwed in place.

Instant headboard!  We added a 1x8 topper and some Crown Molding.....and paint of coarse! See complete tutorial HERE

Michelle taunts me with that green - I LOVE it!  Love how the headboard pulls the whole room together.

Ok, this project is awesome. I love that she turned shutters into a headboard. I love the element of texture that the shutters bring. And the color is really different and fun!

LOVE the green she chose! The texture of the shutters off set the vinyl trees perfectly! looks fabulous! Great use of crown molding to dress it up.

#2 Anthropologie Inspired Bag

by...Leslie (The Little Apple Seed)

  I am so excited to have made it to the finals! This has been such a fun time and I am so thankful that I got to be a part of it! 

For contestants choice my project is an Anthropologie inspired bag. When I saw the original bag I thought it was adorable, I was however shocked by the $498.00 price tag. I knew that I could make a similar bag for much, much less. $489.00 less to be exact.

  I made mine with red gingham and a tan linen fabric and I only spent $9.00. It's a cute bag and I love the big bow. In fact I liked it so much I made a mini bag to match for my daughter. One of the things I love about crafting and creating is that you can see something you like and be able to make your own and have fun with it and save a lot of money in the process. Hope you like it!

perfect knock-off - and HUGE savings!

Such a sweet purse. I love the fabric she used!! And the bow is adorable!!

what an adorable bag! I like it so much more than the super expensive store version. I love that you made a mini one for your cutie! The shape, the bow, and the fabrics are all lovely!



#3 Mantle Shelf & Decor
by...Ashley (Achieving Domestic Bliss)

When Amy said that there was no theme this week, my first reaction was frantic – how was I suppose to choose something?!?  But after about 1 minute, I realized what I needed to do.  Go big, or go home!  I’ve had this project in the back of my mind for over 3 years, but I’ve never done it because it was a huge project.  Thanks Amy, for giving me that push I needed to get it done!

I built a mantle-style moulded shelf from scratch.  I looked everywhere online for a tutorial, but could find none, so I asked my BIL for help in know how to construct it.  He kindly helped me know what steps I needed to take, and gave me much needed advice, but I built this shelf with my own two hands!  I’ll completely admit how proud of it I am.  I used a compound miter saw, scroll saw, hand saw, biscuit cutter, nail gun, drill, and rotary sander to get the job done.  After caulking, spackling, and painting it was done 3 days later!

In addition to the shelf I refinished an old door I had on hand.  This door came from my grandmother’s old house.  You can see in the “Before” picture that it was orange with wallpaper.  I sanded it all down, painted it red {to match my dining room, which faces this wall}, and added the crystal door knob.

The letter “S” I also had on hand; I purchased it at Joann’s last year.  I painted it black to match the shelf.  I added a silk flower {that I added a brad and rhinestones to the center of}, and some candlesticks I had, and a swag I had just waiting for this occasion, and the display is now complete!

 

I hope you like it and are inspired to create your own masterpiece!

such a huge wall, the shelf is the perfect thing to fill the space - looks AMAZING!

great idea. This window treatment brings so much visually. The frame is great to bring the eye up and make the window seem bigger. And I love the cabinet door on top which brings another element of color and interest. Plus the letter is adds some whimsy to the treatment.

Awesome shelf! way to go Handy Jane! ;) The addition of a fabulous vintage door is perfect to fill that large empty space. The red pops nicely against the black!

Vote for your favorite project- the winner will be crowned American Crafter!

Voting ends Sunday at midnight

Results will be up Monday at 10am