How to make a faux window

Edited to Add:  See that cute banner UP there? A birthday present from my wonderful daughter. She popped into my account and added it!  That sneaky girl! Gotta love her bunches!

I recently saw this window at Susie Harris’ blog. I instantly fell in love with it. However I didn’t think it fit my decor. BUT, that was before I did my fireplace makeover. After gave my fireplace a new outfit, I decided something like this would be perfect for my mantel. You can click on the picture to go to Susie’s site. If you’ve never been there, check it out (later, after you read my post) 

The first step was to make a paper pattern. I had specific plans for this faux window so it’s dimensions had to be within a certain scope.
 

This was the first pattern, very similar to Susie’s. However, I decided for my personal preference I wanted the panels to be more of the same size.

I went back to the drawing board and tried again. It’s hard to tell the size of this. It is about 14x28.


I’m not a very patient person, when I want to start something I have a hard time waiting. See this nice sunshine? Don’t be fooled! It was about 38 degrees with a wind chill about 25. I had this curbed piece of 1/2 inch plywood. It was very difficult to get the paper pattern to lay on the wood due to the wind blowing so hard. Mostly I drew the curving parts and marked the corners.

 
I have a wonderful metal yardstick that is perfect for these types of projects. I used it to connect the dots.
 
I finished drawing it out on the wood, then I made dots in each of the corners.
 
I used my Black & Decker drill to drill holes in each of the corners.


I then used my jigsaw to cut out the square “panes”. I simply put the blade into the holes and sawed from one hole to the next.


 

I’m not too good with the jigsaw.

 
Drilling the holes in each of the corners makes it easier…no corners to turn.  I will show you more of this project tomorrow.  I just can’t wait any longer! I must spill the beans.


It’s MY birthday and I am giving someone a present!



Drum roll please!  Announcing my giveaway!



From the press release of Black & Decker’s newest Jigsaw

New Jigsaw Eliminates the Frustration with Common Cuts  

Black & Decker (NYSE: BDK) officially announces the launch of its LINEFINDER Orbital Jigsaw with SmartSelect Technology (JS680V) offering more precise jigsaw cuts every time.
For years jigsaws have included numbered performance settings. The problem is that these numbered settings don’t explain how best to set jigsaws for optimal performance depending on your cutting application. Homeowners must resort to trial and error to find the best performance settings. Black & Decker has cleared up this confusion with SmartSelect Technology, which does the thinking for its users. Just turn the dial to select the project icon and the jigsaw automatically adjusts the orbital setting and speed for optimal results. It’s perfect for straight cuts in lumber, curved cuts in plywood and cutting PVC and metal. Users need to simply rotate the dial to one of seven different settings for best results. 

Following the cutline when working with a jigsaw can be difficult, especially in poorly lit workspaces. The new LINEFINDER system makes cut lines stand out for better visibility and more accurate cutting. Simply draw the desired cutline with the LINEFINDER pen (included). Then turn on the ultraviolet light on the jigsaw and watch the line illuminate and stand out clearly against the cutting material. The LINEFINDER pen is a fine tip yellow highlighter. When the LINEFINDER light shines on the cut line it illuminates for increased visibility and accuracy. It is most helpful when cutting curved lines, where a traditional laser does not work. 

An easy-to-set Accu-Bevel™ angle adjustment sets the jigsaw at 0, 15, 30 or 45 degrees for angled cuts. A Quick Clamp™ tool-free blade change offers easy blade changes. This powerful 6 amp jigsaw provides 0 to 3,200 cutting strokes per minute. The LINEFINDER Jigsaw will be available for $60 at Lowe’s and other select retailers. 


You won’t have to shell out any bucks if you are the lucky winner of this baby:

Black & Decker generously agreed to supply me with this wonderful jigsaw to give away to one of my lucky readers!  I am green with envy. Oh sure, I have a Black & Decker jigsaw that I used to make the faux window above, but this baby is top of the line fabulous! Too bad I can’t enter my own giveaway! But you can!

You know we have to have some rules:

Open to residents of the Contiguous U.S. only. ‘

How to enter (up to 5 entries):

1. Visit the Black & Decker site, take a look at this awesome jigsaw and  leave a comment below telling me what  you  love most about it.  (1 entry) You must do this before you can be eligible for the other entries listed below.
2. Leave an additional comment telling me that you are a follower/subscriber to My Repurposed Life (1 entry)
3. Blog about my awesome Black & Decker jigsaw giveaway, leaving the url in a comment below (1 entry)
4. Follow me on Twitter and Tweet about my awesome Black & Decker jigsaw giveaway (leave a comment below) (1 entry)
5. Become a fan on Facebook and leave a comment below (1 entry)

My bestest friends will be eligible for 5 entries. You do not have to become a follower/subscriber in order to win. I really don’t want you to follow or subscribe JUST to win. I want you to follow/subscribe because you like the content of my blog.  You do NOT have to have a blog to enter my giveaway, however you must include a way to e-mail you in your comment should be be the lucky winner.

I will use random.org to choose a winner. The contest starts today and will end on March 10th 2010 at 10:00 PM EST. I will notify the winner by e-mail. They will have 48 hours to reply with their mailing address, or I will choose another winner.

Now for some legal business. By entering this  giveaway you release My Repurposed Life and/or Black & Decker from any liability from harm in using this jigsaw.

What are you waiting for? Go right now to Black & Decker and look at all the fabulous features of this jigsaw, then start commenting!

gail

linking to:

Susan's Met Monday

Kimba's DIY Day

Kimm's Trash to Treasure Tuesday
Becca's Show And Tell
Gina's Transformation Thursday
Michelle's Whatever Goes Wednesday
Poppies at Plat Creative Cats
My Romantic Home Show and Tell
Cindy's MI4M

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