Blogger Bonanza {Turkey Silhouette Tutorial}

Turkey Silhouette Tutorial

I'm Carrie from Project Possessed. It's such a pleasure to be a guest on one of my favorite blogs to read! Thanks Kitty for having me back on your Guest Blogger Bonanza! I always enjoy browsing through your posts to see what creative ideas you come up with, and I have also really enjoyed reading the posts by your other guests on your Bonanza.

So, moving on and getting straight to the point. Today I'm sharing with you a tutorial to create a Turkey Silhouette. This is a cost-effective way to add big impact to your front door, or any other areas of your home.

Materials:

• 
  
  Computer
• 
  
  Printer
• 
  
  Exacto Knife
• 
  
  Cutting Mat
• 
  
  Thin board {1/8 Inch Pressed Wood 4' x 8' Under $10 @ Local Hardware Store}
• 
  
  Dremel
• 
  
  Dremel Spiral Cut Bit {Under $5 @ Local Hardware Store}
• 
  
  Dremel cone-shaped Structured Tooth Tungsten Carbide Cutter
• 
  
  Sandpaper
• 
  
  Rust-Oleum Metallic Brilliant Metal Finish in Antique Brass Metallic {7274}
• 
  
  This can be found at Home Depot, which is where I purchased mine. I have seriously searched every craft store around for a lovely rich deep bronze color, to which I could not find. Most of them appear pretty orangey. I wanted more of an espresso chocolate brown. If you are wanting the espresso richness, this one is the one you want.
• 
  
  Krylon UV-Resistant Clear Acrylic Coating (Optional)
• 
  
  Strong Wire
• 
  
  Tape
• 
  
  Permanent Marker
• 
  
  Gorilla Glue

Directions:

1. Type in either turkey or turkey silhouette into your search engine.
2. Look through the image gallery results. Find a turkey shape you like, and save to your computer.
3. With photo imaging software, or Microsoft Publisher (which is what I used) edit image to size you want.
4. Depending of software available to you will determine your options to print. You can either print as a poster, or copy and crop the image the number of pages it should take to print the full-sized image.
5. Using image, line papers up to recreate the image in its entirety. Use tape to secure.
6. Place paper on cutting mat, and use exacto knife to cut out image silhouette.
7. Once paper begins to resemble the shape you desire, place paper on board. Use permanent market to trace.
8. Sand area of silhouette on both sides of board. It will be far easier to rough up the surface at this point than it will after it's been cut out. ;)
9. Using Dremel with spiral cut bit in place, begin to cut out image.
• Tip: begin by cutting out all the inside details first. Since the board is somewhat flimsy, this will help minimize any accidental breaking of thin lines.
• Also, when you begin using the Dremel, it helps to slowly carve into the wood until you get used to working with the tool. Once you are comfortable with the Dremel, drill right through the board and slowly follow your lines.
10. Once inside details have been cut out, switch tip to the Structured Tooth. Use this tip to lightly go over all the edges you just cut to smooth the edges without removing additional wood.
• Remember, sanding the inside first to utilize strength provided by the exterior which is still supported by surrounding board.
11. Switch back to Spiral Cut Bit, and carefully begin to cut the shapes exterior line.
12. Again, switch tips back to Structured Tooth and smooth all edges just cut.
13. Wipe board clean of dust and debris, and you're ready to paint.
14. Using light even strokes, spray paint one side of silhouette.
15. Allow to dry about 5-10 minutes.
16. Repeat steps 13 and 14 until content with paint coverage.
17. Turn over and repeat steps 13, 14, and 15.
18. Shape wire to fit cut out.
19. Attach wire with strong adhesive, and allow ample time to thoroughly dry.
20. If any of the dried glue shoes through the 'windows,' trim and remove.
21. Spray paint wire color of turkey silhouette.
22. Apply light coat of Krylon Clear Acrylic Coating to back of turkey.
23. Allow 15 minutes to dry.
24. Repeat steps 21 and 22.
25. Turn turkey over, and repeat steps 21, 22, and 23.

And now you're done. Place turkey in outdoor planters, or attach to a fall wreath, or even use in your Thanksgiving tablescape.

Thanks again Kitty for having me back! And, thanks to your followers and visitors for pausing a moment to read my post. :) I would absolutely love it if you stopped by to see me over at Project Possessed sometime!

-Carrie