Lucky number 7? Anywhoo, this is submission #4 in the Panduro Concrete Challenge. I've been wanting to craft a house number and today I feel pretty lucky to live at number 7 in Bromma and not 17241 in Yorba Linda…
This is the milk carton project you saw glimpses of in my 365 last week. I needed to make my own mold for this so I figured the coated milk carton would work well.
I looked at different number 7's and after making my choice (Arial Black) printed and cut it out from paper.
Then I proceeded to cut the milk caron into strips. The width was determined by how deep I wanted the number.
I had this perspex sheet and figured it would be a good base for the mold. It was perfect since I could lay the number underneath and still see it.
I then connected all the strips into one long with masking tape. I made sure to keep one side flush with the surface all the time so there wouldn't be any gaps between the perspex and the strips.
Then it was just a matter of taping the strips along the lines of my number 7. I noticed it was easier to do loads of little tape bits instead of fewer longer ones and made sure to not leave any openings where the concrete might seep through.
As you can see I used masking tape to brace the mold and prevent it from collapsing after I got the concret in.
Here's the concrete I used. Also included in the kit all us bloggers got was natural liquid rubber. You can use this to coat molds that are made of paper or other materials that would otherwise soak through when the wet cement is inside.
I used it to seal the bottom of the mold, again to prevent the concrete from seeping through and ruining the shape.
The actual mixing and molding process took place in the garage and outside which is a good idea because the concrete powder is pretty dusty. Here my number 7 is resting in it's mold. As you can see I also added a stick in the base because I knew I wanted to put it in a planter and would need the stability.
In this photo you also see outdoor candle holder from Monday and the bookend from yesterday curing as well as another of my projects which will be revealed later this week.
Ooh, success! The project I was actually most worried about since I made the mold myself actually turned out pretty ok. This was taken as it was still a little damp and the stripes have since disappeared. While the concrete was till slightly damp I sanded the edges with a regular sandpaper btw. Concrete's cool like that!
And here it is. Will it and my other concrete crafts win me the 4000 Kronor / $500 worth of craft supplies that is the grand prize in the Panduro Hobby Concrete Challenge? It's going to be tough though because I know there are some pretty talented crafters in
the challenge. We shall soon find out.
29 Comments
You are one crafty lady, Benita! Good luck with the challenge!!! $500 in supplies…yes, please!!
Benita, you are the bomb! I love it! I think you need to start holding web classes on how to train your brain to have such a great imagination. I’ll be very surprised if you don’t win this challenge.
Ja, nu är ju inte jag någon domare, men jag kan säga att jag tycker att dina projekt överlag är i en annan klass än de andra deltagarnas. De är jätteduktiga och har gjort fina saker, men du har tagit kreativiteten ett steg längre och gjort riktigt originella grejer! Lycka till i tävlingen.
Tack! Men kan inte du erbjuda dina tjänster som domare då? 🙂
Det är ett gäng kvar som jag inte sett alstren av dock och jag anar att tex Frida på Trendenser kommer att ha ess i skjortärmen…
Jag lägger upp alla mina bidrag på Pandurobloggen i ett samlat inlägg och i ett Flickr set på fredag förresten om du undrar varför jag inte kommenterat där än. Känns lite rörigt annars 🙂
Men oooo, du är fantastisk…! Så så så snyggt…!
You are unbelievable!!!!
Amazing. Simply amazing.
The #7 is my favorite, but I think all the projects are worthy of the big win!
Loving these concrete projects!
great post! Makes me want to make something out of concrete!
I love all your concrete projects!That stuff is intimidating for sure, but your tutorials make it so that I actually will want to try it this summer!(once the rain has stopped here in Seattle….)
Can we vote for you anywhere – we (your devoted readers) are pretty good at that, you know 😉 Just give us the address and we´ll do it. Your stuff is amazing!
Yours,
Mia
…oh now, does it say at panduro pages that that there´s a jury to choose: “En jury bestående av anställda på Panduro Hobby utser vinnaren” (my swedish is a bit rusty) – So we can just hope that the best (you) wins?
Mia again
Most impressive! I hope you win. I have only made square and round stepping stones out of concrete, but you are expanding my horizons to concrete’s possibilities. My only trick when using concrete was to add a layer of wire mesh in the middle, (something stiffer than chicken wire), to reinforce it and make it less likely to crack.
I would love to see what your competition is up to too. Do you have links?
Yup, there’s a Panduro jury 🙂
This is the post where everyone submits their pieces to in the comments http://www.pandurohobby.se/pan/IboxServlet?p=BLG220R&BLG=604&BLGI=46 but unfortunately they don’t have direct links, one must copy and paste the links into a browser.
I haven’t added my links yet, I’ll do them all on one fell swoop when I’m done posting them here. Also they prolonged the competition which was due to end on Friday to next Friday the 18th so it’ll be a little bit longer until they announce who wins.
Ps. I hope I win too . Haha 🙂
Wow! Simple and stunning! You Benita are always so creative! Everytime I read about any of your ideas and see them executed the only thing I can say is:”It’s amazing! It’s so simple!”. I will use this idea for the number of our house. I think concrete number fits it best. I have #17 🙂 I agree with Judith: you have a great imagination! I wish you win.
Your ideas are unique and your style is so clean and simple so I hope you really win!!! Your ideas make me want to go do some myself! Love the 7!
I really hope you win. Your ideas are really original! I could see your crafts for sale in trendy decor shops. Too bad concrete isn’t so heavy, I’d say you should add these to your online shop!!
I am loving your concrete projects. Your ideas are amazing! Thanks so much fort doing this, I’ll be linking.
I think this is my favorite one. I hope you win!
All of your projects have been very cool. . . and they keep getting cooler. I’m guessing this is the number of your house? Not that I would be a stalker, I live too far away to be of any concern.
I hope you win because you are really talented. YOu deserve it. I love all your projects. Good luck!!!!!
Holy Moly! I am most certainly inspired to make a few concrete projects. I cannot thank you enough for the lovely photos, instructions AND inspiration.
Yes, we live at No 7 🙂
Willie looks so handsome! No wonder you are a proud mama! 🙂 Hope he had a nice time at his prom.
This is great!
I’m currently working on a concrete lamp project. It’s such an interesting material to use.
Well done – I look forward to more concrete inspired ideas.
That’s really awesome. What kind of concrete did you use for this?
I used very fine concrete for crafts. It doesn’t have rocks or bits in it like the concrete you use for building purposes. You can use that but you’ll get a more uneven surface.
This is a big jump up from the #3. But could offer some pretty cool custom shapes.