Also.. Ever since I've gotten my Silhouette I've wanted to deck out my Kitchen Aid stand mixer. I have seen so many great ideas to dress up that boring appliance, I loved the thought of making mine more personalized.
So this project is where those two loves meet.
My mixer is more than 15 years old. I got it when I got married and back in 'the old days' the only color it came in was white. So when I decided I was going to dress it up, a lot of the ideas I liked weren't going to work. I needed to start with something that was mostly WHITE to begin with..
Something like.. a STORMTROOPER!
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The rounded top of my mixer and the big black attachment port reminded me exactly of a stormtrooper's helmet. So that was my starting off point.
The first thing I did was sketch out what exactly I wanted on each part of the mixer with dry erase marker:
Then I googled for the images I wanted, and printed them out to check the scale.
I used my Silhouette to cut out the images out of vinyl.
I decided to use Oracal 651 which is permanent exterior vinyl. I picked this type vs. the removable stuff because I knew this mixer would get a lot of wear and tear. I needed to be able to wash it etc.
The image after I removed the excess vinyl ("weeded" it.)
To transfer the vinyl I used transfer paper
After applying the vinyl there was quite a bit of puckering on the round surface. It is possible to adjust the cut image to take into account the curve, but I am taking the lazy route (yes.. I'm sure hard care Silhouette users are gasping right now!)
To fix the puckers I just snipped the vinyl with a scissors
And stuck it back down with a slight overlap:
When I was done, you would never know the difference:
I repeated the process with all the other images and text:
On the mixer stand I decided I would have a "dark side" and the "good side." I used Darth Vader, a Tie Fighter and the symbol of the Galactic Alliance on one side:
Princess Leia, and X-wing and the symbol of the Rebel Alliance was on the other:
Plus I think the storm trooper on top is perfect. The curve of the mixer and the white background is EXACTLY like I imagined it.
I definitely have the geekiest mixer on the block!
And it looks great sitting on my kitchen counter:
COME TO THE DARK SIDE
We bake cookies!
Sharing at these parties and Homestories AtoZ.
This is amazing! I never thought someone would make me want a white kitchen aid mixer! Are you familiar with the silhouette challenge group? There are a few of us nerdy/geeky types there, but the group is primarily a support group for sharing inspiration and asking questions about the silhouette. You should join us! I'm so glad Our Nerd Home pinned you! (Ok, I'll stop typing with uncontrollable joy now. Promise) http://www.thinkingcloset.com/the-silhouette-challenge-facebook-group-new-members-welcome/
ReplyDeleteThis is geek-tastically awesome! Now I want a mixer just to be able to geek out on it! Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteHI Kim, HA! I love this, it's so fun. What a great idea, I saw this at That DIY Party. Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteSeriously awesome! I think if I did this to my my husband many not complain about it taking up so much counter space!
ReplyDeleteThat is hilarious! I never thought of googly-eyed office supplies!
ReplyDeleteWell.. to be fair.. using it for mixing is pretty good too! ;)
ReplyDeleteOh, Kim! You give me hope. I am debating a new (to me) house but it has a serious case of "over-oak!" Your adventure in staining gives me hope!
ReplyDeleteI just love this! My kids are huge Star Wars fans, and I have a white mixer like yours--the Force is pulling me towards buying a Silhouette machine. :)
ReplyDeleteHow cool! I love the storm trooper image on it. Hey, I need a Silhouette!
ReplyDeleteMy husband feels the same way!
ReplyDeleteHa ha ha ha! The force is strong with that one!
ReplyDeleteSeriously! I have been putting it off and putting it off and now I am amazed how long it took me to finally get one!
ReplyDeleteI bet neither of them complain about the delicious things that we make with our mixers :D
ReplyDeleteOh my goodniss i'm going to come kidnap your mixer! I'm a fellow Star Wars fan myself and have many Star Wars Weekends where I sit at home and watch the movies. This is such a cool idea. I would love for you to come share this on our Link party today. Now i'm going to send this to my husband whos a Star Trek fan (loser)
ReplyDeleteI'm going through all the Monday Funday link-ups this week, and I have to say this is probably my favorite so far! LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteI have the white mixer, but no silhouette :( Would love to do something like this. Awesome idea, thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I need to decorate my mixer.
ReplyDeleteHa ha ha! Without a doubt Star Wars > Star Trek. Sorry Trekkies! :D
ReplyDeleteAww. Thanks so much Katie, since there are always such great projects linked up at your party, that means a lot to me!
ReplyDeleteThere are some really cool vinyl decals designed for mixers on Etsy. Maybe not as cool as a stormtrooper.. but cool nonetheless! ;) Definitely go check it out!
ReplyDeleteYou should really consider selling these! Well not the mixers, but the decals. I've been saving to get a professional and I would buy a set of these in a heartbeat to decorate mine!!
ReplyDeleteThe nerdy girl in my LOVES this!
ReplyDeleteOver The Apple Tree
If my kids see this...I will have a twin kitchenaid! So fun!
ReplyDeleteyou found the way to my heart. Awesome Fun. Awesafun!
ReplyDelete