Valentine Swans

This is a fun little decoration for Valentine’s Day! I started with a Wood Heart Swans Cutout from Woodpecker Crafts.

I stained the back side a light brown with a Honey Stain.

Next I pounced some Crinoline paint from Country Chic Paints over it so that a little of the brown showed through for texture. The back is painted just so it looks okay when reflected in a mirror.

I traced around the wood cutout on a scrap of Paintable Wallpaper.

Simply cut it out along the lines.

I brushed TiteBond Quick & Thick Glue over the entire surface of the swans, then smoothed the paper down.

I went back around the edges, adding extra glue as necessary to make sure they were all sealed.

I painted the front Sunday Tea from Country Chic. Next I brushed on some Rust-Oleum Chalked Decorative Glaze in Aged Glazed and wiped it back with a shop towel.

I decided it was a little darker than I wanted, so I changed tracks.

I covered the antiqued glaze with a Limestone Glaze from Country Chic. Much Better!

A little DecoArt Metallic Lustre in Silver highlights the raised details and makes it look a little like an old tin ceiling tile.

I used Country Chic’s Metallic Creams in Copper Penny and Trigger to add eyes and beaks.

I added lace bows around their necks, and realized that they looked like those geese that were popular in the 1980s. Yikes!

I studied some photos of swans and realized where I had gone wrong. They definitely need black on the beaks as well. I added it and they look so much better!

My valentine swans look so pretty on my mantle. Because I love swans and they will be a theme in my cottage, these cuties might just stay out all year!