Although I originally made these faux zinc numbers for the holidays, they are perfect just about any time of year. You could make some with the year you got married, your street address or your children's birth dates. Or heck, once you get into the letters instead of numbers the possibilities are endless - names, initials, whatever you want to say in big old shout-it-from-the-rooftop letters.
Remember Mary's big old M on the wall of her apartment on the Mary Tyler Moore Show! You've got the idea!
The other day I knocked these zinc-like numbers out in no time.
Materials:
- Cardboard numbers - I bought them at Hobby Lobby ($2.49 ea)
- Craft paint in dark black - I used Americana brand's Lamp Black
- Craft paint in gray - I used Americana brand's Zinc
- Craft paint in metallic silver - I used DecorArt brand's Dazzling Metallics in Shimmering Silver
I started out painting the numbers with the dark black and let that dry to the touch. I coated the entire number on the front and sides.
I added a coat of the gray color using a dry brush technique.
To dry brush, I dabbed the paintbrush into the paint and then pounced it on a paper towel so that very little paint was left on the brush. And just putting it here and there using short brush strokes.
I let that dry to the touch.
Then I added the shiny silver color, also using the dry brush technique and using short brush strokes. I would say I coated it 82 maybe 83%, so that there was still a fair amount of black left showing through.
I think they look fairly zinc-ish.
After I got done, I thought maybe it was too obtuse a reference. Would people understand the 2 and the 5 were for December 25th?
So I added the greenery and berries (totally stolen out of my yard) just to make sure it was understood that they were for Christmas and not representing my age.
'Cause you all know I get mistaken for 25 All. The. Time!
Kerin
Pam, I love the way they turned out!!!
You are so lucky, to get mistaken for 25.
Sheesh, I get mistaken for 29..... so much older than you *****giggle**.
Keep up the crafting 🙂
K.
Jennifer Schmitz
Your zinc numbers turned out great. They look so real!
Carlene @ Organized Clutter
I like the letters Pam! Thanks for the tip.
Cozy Little House
I could hardly believe that that first photo was cardboard!
Brenda
TracyMB @ Crows Feet Chic
Macy would have just rolled her eyes and put the five back in front of the two. Love the letters -- you spring chicken. 🙂
ThrifterSisters
Pinning!
~Erica
Marissa
They turned out awesome!
It won't be long ..
[email protected] Charm
Awesome looking numbers Pam!
Blessings,
Linda
Joanne Noragon
Really neat. They look way zincish. And since when aren't you twenty fiveish?
CherryPicked
Awesome idea! I love it.
TARYTERRE
What a clever idea. LOVE it. The evergreen and berries make the scene perfect.
Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces
Those look so great, Pam! Thanks for the inspiration!
Robin Johnson
You are so smart Pam! I love the look of them and want to make my own asap. Thanks for the inspiration.
Erica of Golden Egg Vintage
LOve them! Great job!
Erica
Sweet Peas
Wow you can't even tell that is cardboard! Great job!!
Vickie @ Ranger 911
Well, I figured out the 25 right away, but I thought the numbers were on top of your birthday cake! I like the zinc finish!
Musings from Kim K.
I definitely love the zinc finish. You'd never know they were originally cardboard. Genius! I can't wait to get Thanksgiving over with so that I can deck the halls!
awal.ny
Pam the numbers are great. I have some letters that are zinc painted red and they look just like yours, great paint job. Alaina
Laurie Dickson
Love this project! Pinning and thanks for sharing!
Laurie Dickson
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