decoupage mirror

TM
TM
DECOUPAGE MIRROR
DIY MIRROR FRAME
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Safety First!
Use eye protection, always!
Use ear protection with loud power tools
Stay with children while they work!
Follow tool manufacturers’ safety guidelines
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TOOLS
Handsaw
Japanese-style pull saw (recommended) or
traditional hand saw
Clamp
2-4 Irwin one-handed clamps
Several Bessey ratcheting spring clamps
Drill
drill bit - 1/8 inch
driver bit to fit screws
Scissors
Tape measure
Pencil
Sponge brush (for glue)
Hair dryer
Putty knife
Jobs for kids and adults together
Adult-only jobs
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SUPPLIES
Plywood back
One 24” x 48” sheet of ¼-inch plywood [0.635 cm x
60.96 cm x 121.92 cm]
Cut one piece measuring 18” x 20” [45.72 cm x 50.8
cm]
TIP: Lowe’s will cut plywood to these dimensions for
you if you can’t cut it at home!
Frame
5 feet of 1” x 3” poplar [2.54 cm x 22.86 cm x 152.4 cm]
Cut one piece at 18 inches [45.72 cm]
Cut two pieces at 14 inches [35.56 cm]
2 feet of 1” x 4” poplar [2.54 cm x 10.16 cm x 60.96 cm]
Cut one piece at 13 inches [33 cm]
Mirror
One 12-inch [30.48 cm] square of mirror tile (with
optional beveled edge)
Carpenter’s glue
White glue
Interlocking picture hanging hardware
Fabric sample squares
Glitter (optional)
Paint
Gap-filling adhesive (such as No More Nails)
Sand paper or sanding sponge
Page 5
Watch the video at: www.lowes.ca/kidsvideos
Overview
Making a mirror is really fun, especially when you build your
own frame and decorate it with paint and colourful swatches of
cloth!
1. Sort
Start by sorting fabric squares into piles of your favourite colours.
(If you don't have a fabric stash at home you can buy pre-cut
fabric swatches at quilting shops or search for 'quilt squares' on
eBay.)
2. Cut
The next step is to cut the plywood back for the mirror. Lowe's
will cut plywood to size for you, but it's just as easy to cut it at
home using a Japanese-style handsaw, which cuts on the pull
stroke so it's never frustrating or awkward. The dimensions are in
the cut list on Page 5.
3. Sand
After cutting, the edge will be a bit rough; remove slivers with a
sanding sponge.
Page 6
Watch the video at: www.lowes.ca/kidsvideos
4. Mark
Next, measure and mark the poplar boards that you'll use to
build the mirror frame. Place a rafter square on your mark and
trace a perfectly straight line.
5. Cut
Now cut the board, using the pencil line you drew as a guide to
keep the blade lined up nice and straight. If kids want to try
sawing, they should keep one hand behind their backs so they
can't hurt themselves.
6. Sand
Use a sanding sponge to knock off any slivers.
7. Glue
Time to assemble the frame! Squeeze out a nice squiggly line of
carpenter’s glue on the back of the first board.
Page 7
Watch the video at: www.lowes.ca/kidsvideos
8. Spread
Spread the glue evenly using a putty knife.
9. Clamp
After gluing each of the boards in position, add clamps to
squeeze the boards tight against the plywood backing. This will
create an extremely strong adhesive bond that will last a lifetime!
TIP
For easy access to all four edges at once, place the whole
assembly on a small box or table. 10. Unclamp
After allowing 20 minutes for the glue to bond, remove the
clamps.
Page 8
Watch the video at: www.lowes.ca/kidsvideos
11. Mix
Now it's time to stir up some homemade decoupage medium.
Use a foam paintbrush to gently blend equal parts white glue
and water.
TIP
When it's properly mixed, the decoupage medium should be
about the consistency of table cream.
12. Apply
Next, spread decoupage medium onto one section of the frame.
13. Position fabric
Start placing fabric squares on the frame, making sure to keep the
bed of glue wet.
Page 9
Watch the video at: www.lowes.ca/kidsvideos
14. Decoupage
After positioning each fabric square, paint over it with
decoupage medium, which goes on milky but dries clear.
15. More decoupage
Now keep adding squares! Don't forget to wrap the squares
around the edges of the frame so the mirror looks nice from all
angles.
TIP
If you’re short on cloth pieces or if you just love painting, leave
spaces between fabric squares and paint after you’re done with
decoupaging.
16. Glitter it up (optional)
You can add sparkles to wet paint and/or decoupage medium to
make the mirror frame even more dazzling.
Page 10
Watch the video at: www.lowes.ca/kidsvideos
17. Install hanging hardware
Next, centre and mount interlocking hanging hardware on the
back of the mirror frame. Drive the provided screws using
short pulses to better control the speed and position of the drill.
18. Glue
Next, apply thick beads of gap-filling adhesive, just like big blobs
of toothpaste.
19. Spread
Spread the adhesive evenly with a putty knife.
20. Install mirror
Now lower a mirror tile gently onto the bed of glue, which will
grab instantly and form a permanent bond. (Mirror tiles are
available in boxes of 6 or 12 at Lowe's so you can make lots of
beautiful mirrors for gifts!) Page 11
Watch the video at: www.lowes.ca/kidsvideos
21. Press
Press the tile, making sure to move your hands over the whole
surface so that the tile is firmly embedded in the adhesive.
22. Sparkle-ify (optional) If you've got some extra adhesive still visible around the edges,
just add more sparkles or wait till it skins over and then paint it.
Page 12
Watch the video at: www.lowes.ca/kidsvideos
Great job - take time to admire your work!
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DISCLAIMER
Almost any do-it-yourself project involves risk of some sort. Your tools, materials, and skill will vary, as
will the conditions of your project site. Lowe’s Companies Inc., and its subsidiaries ("Lowe’s") have
made every effort to be complete and accurate in the instructions and other content contained in this
publication. However, neither Lowe’s nor the publisher will assume any responsibility or liability for
damages or losses sustained or incurred in the course of your home improvement or repair project or in
the course of your use of the item you create or repair. Always follow the manufacturer’s operating
instructions in the use of tools, check and follow your local building codes, and observe all standard
safety precautions. Prices and supply may vary, so check the cost of materials and labour in your area
before beginning any home improvement project. We strive to be accurate, but unintentional errors may
occur and we reserve the right to correct any error. See a Lowe’s store for information regarding product
warranties and any available protection plans. All prices, products and promotions are limited to Canada
locations only.
This “Family Fun™” video is for informational purposes only. Lowe’s assumes no responsibility for the
accuracy of the information contained herein and disclaims any liability for omissions, errors or the
outcome of any project. Lowe’s assumes no responsibility or liability for damages, losses, or injuries
sustained in the course of your project or in the course of your use of any item you repair or create. Always follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions in the use of tools, and take proper safety
precautions when taking on any project. It is your responsibility to ensure that participants engage in
age-appropriate activities and that children are appropriately supervised. If there is any question or
doubt with regard to any element of a project, please consult with a licensed professional. No part of
this video may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior written permission of Lowe’s. Lowe’s, the gable design, and Lowe’s Family Fun Projects™ and Learning Through Building are
trademarks of LF, LLC. All rights reserved.
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