Thrifty & Pretty DIY Driftwood Mirror
Happy Monday!
I hope you ALL had a nice & relaxing weekend!!
This has positively been one of the BEST summers of my life:).
My boy are getting older, as am I
(just turned the BIG 40 a few weeks ago)
&
I just appreciate each & every day I get to spend with them.
Summers here on Long Island are incredible!
We live on the east end, we have beaches, bays, the ocean, an abundance of natural beauty
& plenty of SIMPLE outdoor activities to enjoy together as a family.,
One of the things we love to do as a family is to pack a picnic and head to the beach at dusk.
And while we are there,
we pretend we are pirates and hunt for treasure,
AKA “driftwood.”
We have been collecting all summer and decided it was time to actually make something with all of it.
Hence, my “Thrifty & Pretty Driftwood Mirror”…..
the best part- $3.00!!!!
Ever since I saw THIS mirror, I was smitten & had to try it myself:).
1. Collect your wood.
You will need about 40 large pieces, 20 medium, 20 small and about 15 tiny pieces.
2. I made a circle(12″) for the back out of heavy card board. Then traced a circle from a standard bowl(6″) in the middle.
My mirror was 7″
3. Brush off sand & debris from wood.
4. Using Gorilla Glue begin your first bottom layer with your longest pieces.
Lay heavy books on top, let dry.
Tip- the gorilla glue dries into a foam & spreads, so use a little at a time.
Then layer your medium lengths pieces into the bare spots, this time use Gorilla Wood Glue, let dry.
Then layer again using the small pieces & let dry.
5. Using Gorilla Glue adhere the mirror on top.
Let dry & set.
6. Using your tiny pieces layer around the edge of the circle to frame the mirror.
7. Hang & enjoy!
Our LOOT!
I finished this project off with a hand written note on the back that reads
“Created With Love By Shane, Jack & Mommy- Summer 2013”
What a wonderful thing to create something for the home that has meaning & tells a beautiful story of simplicity, love and family.
Sharing at
Have a great week friends!
How absolutely gorgeous! My favorite part is that you made it with your little guys!
Thank you so much Leslie! I love that part too:). I just want to freeze time some days! Have a great week, Jen
It came out beautiful, and what a special piece to remind your of the times you shared as a family.
Gorgeous!! I have on from Crate and Barrel and this one’s way prettier 😉 I like your handy helpers!
Jamie @ somuchbetterwithage.com
Brilliant, Jen, I love it!
You all rocked that project! That is one awesome mirror and vignette. Wish we could find driftwood on the beach we frequent!
Oh Jen, This is so Beautiful! Thanks for adding my link. You may have been inspired by mine, but yours is Perfect. I love that your driftwood is more flat, and I love the added layers as well. The writing on the back was a thoughtful touch. Now I want to go play pirates at the beach with my little guys 😉
Oh my gosh your guys would love that! Thanks, really though I have loved yours forever, so thank you for the inspiration!
Have a great night,
Jen
Ok – WOW – is all I can say about this…I love the colour and texture it brings into a room…truly spectacular..might just have to hunt down some driftwood myself!!
Your mirror is very stylish and way better than store bought! What great memories you are creating with your boys.
It is really beautiful and I just love that it holds special memories!
Oh thank you Lisa, it is nice to know they helped create it.
Hope you are having a great summer,
Jen
better plan to make another- your boys’ future wives will be fighting over who gets it! Just lovely…
So true Joanne:)! THank you!!
Jen
A wonderful project for you and your boys……it turned out great!!!
Thank you Lynn!
This is simply gorgeous, Jen! I’ve been wanting to make one ever since I saw the same one that inspired you from The Wicker House. Now that I have 2 lovely sources of inspiration I think I will try to make one for myself with some Lake Michigan driftwood 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much Lauren! Good luck & come back & share:)!!!
Have a great week, Jen
Lady, you are so talented! What an amazing creation! I’ve never ever seen a sunburst mirror that I really liked (it’s my one design “thing,” I just can’t make myself like them) until now 🙂 I’m definitely going to try this project. thanks so much for the gorgeous inspiration!
Thank you Anna, what a kind comment!!! YOu should, it was easy! Good Luck, Jen
Love it! And love esp. that your boys helped make it – you’ll have to do another one – or else I can see that treasure being fought over some day way into the future. 😉
Enjoy the rest of summer!
Rita
Your mirror tuned out great. It’s even more special since you made it with your boys,
amazing! and I love the whole “pirates” and help from your kids. it makes this piece not only unique, but a special family experience!
Your mirror turned out amazing!
This mirror is absolutely ah-mazing!!! Pinned 🙂
What a marvelous idea! So creative 🙂
What a gorgeous mirror! The best part is that your little guys were part of the process. What a wonderful memory you created with those little boys. I love it. I just finished my coastal cottage chic livingroom makeover and this mirror would fit in beautifully. How cool to live so close the to the beach. I need to head out to Long Island N.Y. Haven’t been there in a long time. I still have 2 cousins who live on the Island, one in Riverhead, and the other in Northport. My mother grew up there and attended high school in Hicksville. A walk by the sea refreshes me. Your home is beautiful!!
Love your mirror, Jen! So gorgeous!!
I love it! The driftwood gives it a really nice, beachy feel. And it looks just great~!
Stopped in to pin, that is the first sunburst mirror I have seen that I like, not normally my style, but yours is fantastic!
Oh I am loving this mirror and have been wanting to make one for some time now but haven’t been able to get out to collect driftwood yet this summer. Yours turned out wonderful and I am even more excited to give this project a try. I’m featuring you this week at our “Inspire Me Please” blog party!!
xo, Jennifer @Blissfully Ever After
I bought gorilla glue cuz i saw it on your site and others. I must have used too much as it bubbles up and shows too much inbetween pieces of driftwood. Is there another kind I should have used?