Decorative Thermometer Covers

Just another way to make certain objects in your home match your decor. This was an idea I found years ago in a Stained Glass magazine. A thermometer cover that you can make to cover an inexpensive thermometer. I made this one and keep it outside on the screened in porch.

This cover shows the various weather elements including the sun, snowflakes, icicles, thunder bolts and clouds. Years ago I put several of these on Ebay and did pretty well with them. People really seem to like them because they are fun and unique.

I understand that not everyone can do stained glass, but it occurred to me that these could be done very easily using thin hobby wood. Here is what you would need:

• A piece of hobby wood large enough to frame the thermometer (can be found at Home Depot or Lowe's, sometimes in the craft stores and any hardware store that carries lumber.
• A cheap thermometer. I've find these for around $1.50 or so in discount stores.
• A drill.
• glue
• a hook and chain to hang
• A piece of sandpaper
• A saw for cutting an opening. I suggest a jigsaw (easy to use and very flexable).

Here is how to construct your thermometer frame.

• Cut your hobby wood large enough so it frames the thermometer. It really could be any size but you can get a good idea by viewing the photograph at the top of the page.
• Center the thermometer onto the wood and trace it out. You should now be looking at the long drawn out rectangle. Drill one hole in each corner.
• Use you saw and start cutting the rectangle out beginning in the first drilled hole and continuing until you have completely cut it out.
• You will mount the thermometer on the BACK of the frame. Glue will work fine to fasten it to the back of the frame.
• Sand lightly. Be creative! ....maybe rounding or angling the corners.
• Attach a hook on the back for hanging.

Now the fun starts. Use your imagination and decoupage with paper or tissue, hand paint, glue seashells on it, glue beads on it, spray glue and cover with fabric. You can make these covers to coordinate in any room.

This happens to be a great craft for teenagers as well. Although they may not appreciate the thermometer, they sure will have fun making them. I currently have four, very bored teens at home for the summer. I have planned out the photo CD coasters project for them to do and I'm now adding this. When they are all done you will be the first to see them.

Sounds like fun!

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Privacy For Your Windows

What do you do when your bathroom window is huge and open for the world to see? Cover it!! This very large window over my garden tub needed a privacy covering. When we first moved in, I hung a shade. A few years later I added some nice curtains that you could pull closed, but it become sort of inconvenient to jump into the tub every time you wanted to close the curtain or shade. The best solution was to cover it in Stained Glass. Fortunately for me I have been doing Stained Glass for years.



I have always loved the way it looked and especially how the light changes the colors of the glass as the day goes on. At night when the house is dark and the interior lights are on, it once again changes completely in character.



I took a few lessons in town and loved it so much that I bought all the equipment and started creating some beautiful pieces in my home. This bathroom window above had to be created by making 20 individual panes that were eventually caulked into the window. The wood mullions that you see are permanent so there was no other way to do it.



Now I realize that not everyone has this ability but there are other ways to provide privacy for your windows.

• shades


• stick on stained glass


• frosted stick on paper


• curtains

I found this site and was just amazed at how "real" these stick on Stained Glass windows look and also how reasonably priced they are. Wait until you see what they have. I've been looking for something to provide privacy for my shower doors and this site has exactly what I've been looking for.

Check it out: http://www.instantstainedglass.com/

Guess what? We are getting all our windows replaced in two weeks (yes, I am very excited) but the bathroom tub window is going to have to come out..............bummer. I now have to take all 20 panes out, solder them all together, add some more glass and re-hang this monster. Lucky me!!

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