Thursday, May 27, 2010

DIY (Big) Clock

About 5 years ago, I purchased a large 32" clock on clearance at Kirkland's. I believe I paid about $20 for the clock and I LOVE it. My mom has always admired the clock and the two of us have searched everywhere for one like it (that is affordable). No luck. So this year I decided that I would make her one for Mother's Day.


Here is a photo of the clock I purchased at Kirkland's.  It is sitting on the top shelf of one of the shelves to the side of the fireplace.  I removed one of the shelves to make room for it.



Here is a photo of the knockoff clock I made for mom.

Mom loved her new clock. If you want to know how I did it... keep reading. :-)

First I needed to find something to make the clock base.  I checked Lowes and Home Depot for a pre-cut wood circle, however they didn't have one large enough and those things are HEAVY.  Then I thought about using the round top from one of those decorating tables, the kind that has three legs than screw in the bottom and you cover with a table cloth.  It seems no one sells them anymore in my area and the ones I found online were very pricey.  Finally, at Hobby Lobby I was looking at the foam core board... it was large enough... only $5.99... perfect!

I took my clock down and put it on top of the foam core board, traced it then cut it out with an exacto knife.  To smooth the edges, I used a very fine grit sand paper.  You could also get a perfect circle by putting a push pin in the center of the foam core tied to a string with a pencil on the end.  

Next I painted with red spray paint.  It took about 5 coats of paint to get an even coverage.  I probably should have used black foam core instead of white.  I think it may have been easier to cover with the red paint. 

I purchased the clock parts at Hobby Lobby.  The kit with the pendulum had hands that were way too small for this clock.  I found another kit that had large hands and also came with vinyl numbers.  I was very excited to find this kit because that meant I didn't have to paint the the numbers on freehand.  :-)  All clocks were on sale for half off that week, so they let me have the clock kits at half off as well. 


I found the center of my clock and cut a hole with the exacto knife for the clock mechanism.  The large clock kit came with a template for adding the numbers, so that was pretty easy to do.  It is easier for the spacing to add the twelve and six first then the three and nine then fill in from there.  However, I didn't use the number six since I would be cutting a hole for the pendulum.


Once I had all the numbers on, I used a gold paint pen to trace around them. 
If you look back at the clock I purchased, it has some metal gold accent pieces at the top and bottom of the clock.  At Hobby Lobby, I found the package of buttons in the scrapbook section and the metal piece I used for the top portion was in the jewelry section. 


The gold circle around the pendulum area is scrapbook paper cut with nestibilities dies.


The stencil is one that I already had in my studio.  I used the same gold paint pen for the stenciled area hat I used to trace around the numbers.

I think that is everything.  Thanks for stopping by. :-)

Linking up to:







DIY Day @ ASPTL
Join us Saturdays at tatertotsandjello.com for the weekend wrap up party!
Visit thecsiproject.com

16 comments:

B said...

Oh LOVE the clock!

Kim @ Everything Etsy said...

WOW! That's amazing! I've always wanted one of those giant clocks!

~Kim

Carole said...

Oh my, my, my! That is just great! I am sure your mom is so pleased and you are too!!!

I am expecting one in the mail - I will pay for the postage! lol You have my address!

Anonymous said...

OMG this is freaking fantastic! I am so impressed. LOL I love this and I want one! Thanks so much for the directions so maybe someday I can make one for myself!

Corinna
www.myscrapbooklfe.com

Lyn S said...

Wow, what an awesome clock! Fabulous Mother's Day gift too!

Deborah@Green Willow Pond said...

What a great idea! It looks like a very expensive clock. Nice job. I actually have one of those pressboard tables stored in my barn. I was thinking of putting it in a garage sale. Now I think I'll keep it and try a clock of my own! Thanks for posting.

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

Great project! I love it!!

Will you come link it up over at the CSI Project's 'Hardware Store' challenge? I would love people to be able to see it over there!

XOXO
Jen

Tru said...

Very nice. And so much cheaper than buying one of those big clocks!

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Great job on the clock. I love big clocks, too.

Heidi said...

That was a great tutorial! I've been wanting a big clock, and this may be just the way I get it. Thanks :)

Barb said...

Thanks for this great project idea. I have one of those cheap round table tops that I'm hoping to turn into a big clock. You've inspired me further.

CamelsNDragons said...

Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Your mom will love that clock. I will be making a preschooler's clock sometime in July myself

mymommymakesit

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

great job! brilliant idea to use the foam board!
I love how it turned out!
gail

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

I just love this big clock. Such a fun project!

Thanks so much for linking up to The CSI Project's hardware Store Challenge! We hope you will come back next week for the Martha Stewart-inspired challenge -- The MS Craft Department are our guest judges!!!

XOXO
Jen

refabulous said...

WOW! I love the knock-off clock! I've been wanting a giant clock forever, but didn't want to pay the giant price tag. ;) You've inspired me to make my own! Thanks for sharing the tutorial.

Anonymous said...

Your clock turned out fantastic! I linked this to my clocks post today for Daylight Savings Day! Please pop over for a visit too!