Although I originally made these faux zinc numbers for the holidays, they are perfect just about any time of year.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!
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!
Sweet Peas
Wow you can't even tell that is cardboard! Great job!!
Erica of Golden Egg Vintage
LOve them! Great job!
Erica
Robin Johnson
You are so smart Pam! I love the look of them and want to make my own asap. Thanks for the inspiration.
Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces
Those look so great, Pam! Thanks for the inspiration!
TARYTERRE
What a clever idea. LOVE it. The evergreen and berries make the scene perfect.
CherryPicked
Awesome idea! I love it.
Joanne Noragon
Really neat. They look way zincish. And since when aren't you twenty fiveish?
Linda@Coastal Charm
Awesome looking numbers Pam!
Blessings,
Linda
Marissa
They turned out awesome!
It won't be long ..
ThrifterSisters
Pinning!
~Erica
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. 🙂
Cozy Little House
I could hardly believe that that first photo was cardboard!
Brenda
Carlene @ Organized Clutter
I like the letters Pam! Thanks for the tip.
Jennifer Schmitz
Your zinc numbers turned out great. They look so real!
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.