We have a few "first guitars" hanging around our youngest son's room. I'm currently working on a complete room makeover for this tween and decided to upcycle a couple of these tattered toys. My first victim of this particular DIY is this one...
Our little man... well not so little now, but he was at the time we bought this guitar at a thrift store... is helping me sort through his keep-toss-donate process of his bedroom.
I have total permission to upcycle this cheap learner guitar to do as I wish.
So I really ripped into it with a plan.
First with a good distress sanding...
And a quick grab of a music book for just a page (don't worry, it's not valuable; missing pages and cover, etc., so it's totally upcycle worthy )
Tearing up the page into several pieces...
just to burn the edges... ( don't worry... safety is first! Each piece was dropped into the sink and into a glass baking dish filled with water)
because...
those amazing burned edges are making a nice affect while I decoupage them onto the face of the guitar.
(Insert big smile here...the plan is working so far!)
Here is a trail of burned pieces like a map of my creative mind... quite scattered.
But with a purpose.
The Mod Podge was quickly drying so I flipped the guitar over and taped it off to stain half of it in a blue... Indigo by Minwax...
wipe on...
A gorgeous blue stain with a perfect distressed look.
Then the other half is done with Minwax "Crimson"... a beautiful red stain.
Then I white washed the neck with a white acrylic.
After going over the white wash on the neck with a little Crimson... I used the same on the distressed head stock.
For "Americana"... the stars and stripes are a must!
So I taped off the guitar with my design to paint over the burned music. I used the very same Indigo and Crimson but watered down to make it more translucent.
I was super stoked to use this star from The Crafter's Workshop to make the guitar Americana perfect. I used just the center part for the blue section on the base of the guitar.
I taped it strategically to get a full star and a part of it on each side.
Once my stars and stripes were dry, I gave the entire surface another coat of Mod Podge as a sealant.
After re-stringing, I asked for some critique ...
The Ace-Man loves this! He said it's soooo cool!
You can see the music sheet and burned edges peek through the white, crimson and indigo colors. It IS kind of cool!
I think the new tween room theme is off to a great start! He is really excited over it and is being helpful with the decisions.
I can't have him too involved because I have some surprises for him. I was just lucky the first item was a hit with him! (Pssst... wait until he sees the headboard! I hope it turns out as crazy awesome as I have it in mind!)
Have you done a tween bedroom makeover? I'd love to hear about it!
Featured at
DIY Decorating Addict
Issue 22
Wowee Robin, mouth dropped over here. That is one sweet guitar makeover. It went from toy guitar to focal show piece!
ReplyDeleteyes this is one sweet baby love it you do such good things xx
ReplyDeletewow so awesome! your upcycling skills are so above the norm! you are like an upcycle genius! I would love having this guitar hanging on my wall! Beautiful job Robin!
ReplyDeleteWow Robin this looks awesome! I love the American flag look!
ReplyDeleteRobin this is so cool. Love it.
ReplyDeleteLOVE LOVE LOVE This! great work!
ReplyDeleteReally, really cool! I am so impressed...thanks for sharing with the Thursday Blog hop!
ReplyDeleteThat is one awesome and gorgeous transformation. I love how you painted it. So perfect for a young man's room.
ReplyDeleteWow! How amazing. I'd be proud to display that guitar. You did an awesome job. Thanks for sharing your wonderful talent with us at Wake Up Wednesday Linky Party.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Angel
so cool and amazing...great job.
ReplyDeleteWow... totally amazing transformation and perfect for a tween bedroom. I love when projects turn out like the plan in your head. Good luck with the headboard. Thank you for linking up this week at Shabbilicious Friday.
ReplyDeleteI am crazy in love with your guitar!! It turned out so amazing. I'm pinning it, cuz I think I'm going to have to make one. Now I've just got to find a guitar...
ReplyDeleteThis is incredible! Thank you for sharing with us on Brag About It!
ReplyDeleteOh my... hope you get creative with them! Be sure to post when you do, Kim! Can't wait to see!
ReplyDeleteLOL! You're too kind! My original thought was just paint it. Or stain it. But I thought it would be more interesting to add a bit of music sheets to it. Then the idea just grew.
ReplyDeleteThank you!!! ox
Thank you, Mindi!!!
ReplyDeleteGlad you got to peek and visit, Trish! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYay!!! You made my day! Thank you, Mary!
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting and coming by, Pam!!
ReplyDeleteHe does love it and I'm glad it turned out. So glad you like and stopped by! Thank you so much, Cathy!
ReplyDeleteYou're such a sweet hostess! Thank you, Angel! ox
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind comment, Karen! So happy you visited!
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting and visiting, Kerryanne. Also, for the encouragement! The headboard should be finished done this week while school is back in session. It may take all week! Hopefully it turns out as planned. (fingers crossed)
ReplyDeleteHe was really excited! I loved how he said it was "sooo cool"! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your kind compliment!! You're too sweet!
I'm so excited to see what you create, Diana! With your talent; I'm sure it will be amazing!!!
ReplyDelete(Thrift shops... yard sales are starting too!) :)
Thank you!!
Oh, thank you! For stopping and hosting!
ReplyDeleteI was pinning this to the Pretty Pintastic Pinterest board and I had to stop pinning and read the entire post because I was so intrigued with this project! I'm gonna hunt down an old beat-up guitar and try to do a copy-cat. Don't know if it will be this cool, but I love, love, love this guitar! Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI actually have a couple of old beat up guitars. I can't wait to try something like this. Thanks for sharing with the Tips & Tricks Link Party. Pinned!
ReplyDeleteHello beautiful! Just stopping by to let you know that your guitar was my favorite at our last party and we will be featuring it at Monday’s party! Happy dance time! Happy Saturday! Lou Lou Girls
ReplyDeleteThat's soooo awesome!!! I can't wait for your copy-cat!! You're going to have fun with this one and I'm excited to see it!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Alli!!
You're so welcome! Thank you for having me and visiting! Can't wait to see your version. Have fun, Brenna!!!
ReplyDeleteOoooooh boy!! I'm dancin'... I'm dancin'... yah... I'm dancin'... all the way back on Monday!! Thank you, Kim!
ReplyDeleteWow, this is amazing and wonderfully creative! Definitely pinning. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWOW! I love this. Does this effect the sound or does it just make the guitar a decor piece?
ReplyDeleteI am thrilled to have you stop in with such a kind compliment! Thank you for the pin too!!
ReplyDeleteI believe the decoupage removed some of the "pingy" vibration just very slightly than it originally was. It still sounds great after tuning it up. I removed a finish and replaced it so it really didn't make too much of a difference.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for liking it!!! So happy to have you stop in!
I absolutely LOVE this decorative guitar REDO. G+ -ed. And will pin it later too! Just Great! Thanks for linking this up at SHARE IT sunday linky party! Link-ups like this make my day!
ReplyDeleteWow that is just a work of art! I am totally inept at things like that just in awe of people like you that can do them. Very cool! (found you on Marvelous Mondays)
ReplyDeleteWow, it is amazing. I bet he was incredibly impressed! I certainly am :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up to Marvelous Monday on Smart Party Planning.
You are such a doll to share for me!!! Thank you so much, Rose! You made my day! :)
ReplyDeleteAwww... thank you, Catherine!! Thank you for hosting and popping in! Love seeing you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for getting back to me. My son left a guitar when he moved out & I may just have to try this. You have given me great inspiration!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool finish! Looks like quite the project and you kept up with the patience to finish it! I love it! Thanks for sharing with us at Home Matters Linky party. Hope you will join us again this coming Friday. Feel free to bring a friend!
ReplyDeleteWe have a few of these in the house with four children playing! I absolutely love the way this turned out. FANTASTIC photos that you used to document the process. Awesome recycle of a treasure! - Rhonda
ReplyDeleteGorgeous project! Thanks for linking up to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party. I have pinned your post to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Board.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your guitar upcycle!! Especially the burnt music sheets! Thank you so much for sharing at the Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop! I've chosen this as one of my favorites!!!
ReplyDeleteI admit, I was squirming uncomfortably a little bit while looking at the process photos. I have a few musicians in my family who would kill me if I tried this, but WOW! The end result is so worth it. Thanks for joining us at Idea Box. I hope you link up with us again this week!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh Robin! This is absolutely breathtaking. We're guitar and music enthusiasts here and I know my hubby to be would absolutely love this! Thanks so much for linking up to Thriving on Thursday. You are a true talent! I'm featuring this one at tomorrow's party.
ReplyDeleteThe guitar looks amazing. You did a wonderful job turning an old guitar into a memory piece. Thanks for sharing on Small Victories Sunday link up.
ReplyDeleteMy oh MY! I absolutely LOVE the look of this guitar Robin. It's fabulous! I can't wait to Pin it! Catching you this week.
ReplyDeletegail
ps did I already comment on this? I feel like I did. :)
I popped over from your feature on My Repurposed Life to say I absolutely love your guitar. It's one of the coolest projects I've seen and so creative!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for hosting and the kind invite!
ReplyDeleteWow... you must have a lot music with four! It sounds like so much fun! Thank you for your nice comment, Rhonda. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a brilliant idea, This guitar is awesome! Thanks for linking up and sharing with us at Funtastic Friday. I hope you can make it again this week.
ReplyDeleteThis is so over the top amazing - looks like it belongs in a hall of fame somewhere !
ReplyDeleteBeautiful job !
This is fantastic, I love it! Thanks for sharing on Monday Madness link party :)
ReplyDeleteYou never cease to amaze me with your talent. I love the make-over. Thanks for sharing on Sunday's Best.
ReplyDeleteHands down one of the most stunning DIY projects I've seen in a long time - congrats Robin - you are one of my featured guests at this week's Inspire Me Monday party at Create With Joy! :-)
ReplyDeleteEvery time I think, "she can't possibly top this project", you prove me so wrong! lol This is my new special favorite and you did an OUTSTANDING job on it.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! Thanks for sharing with the Frugal Family linky.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing on #frugalfamilylinky last week - your post was featured this week on Witty Hoots! Don't forget to grab your badge and hope to see you linking up again soon!
ReplyDeleteHope you can stop by Fabulous Friday again and share more of your very unique posts... love the painted guitar that you shared at my last party http://www.simplenaturedecorblog.com/fabulous-friday-party29/
ReplyDeleteThanks Maria
I love how you did the stars. Thanks for posting. Hello from Frugal Family.
ReplyDelete