I posted pictures of my stair risers that I did out of the scrap plywood and leftover paint to the Better Homes and Gardens website. Never did THAT before. Go figure - they sent an email saying its in Photo Faves and is in the running for the most viewed!
Trouble was I tried to show the pics to my daughters on the website, but it was really hard to find - I had to search Photo Faves in order to get to it!

for those who didn't see them, here's the actual pics.

Congratulations :D:D:D

I love it.

I went out to the link and voted for you. Hope I did
it right. Want to support quilting friends. ruthie

Fabulous

You did an awesome job! If I had stairs, then I would copy what you did. :)

(and I voted for you.)

Great job on the risers! I am wanting to paint my stairs this summer so may borrow somewhat from your idea, if you don't mind.....

so cute!! how did you do it? And here I was feeling all crafty cause i just put down some shelf paper...

Your stairs look gorgeous. Nice job!!

I voted and you are #1. Let's keep her there since she had such a great idea!!!

They look amazing!! I voted for you too!!! :thumbup:

Darn, I just went and bought carpeting for mine. I like your idea much better. Very nice.

How unique...voted for you

I just went and voted. Yours is number 1.

I have carpeting on mine. Maybe I'll change. It looks wonderful. I voted for you and you are NUMBER 1!!! Deb

So a couple of people asked how I did it - here are the directions. Send me a PM if you have questions. These are FUN!! And thanks to everyone who went to the the BHG.com site to look!
Directions:
a. Measures the risers,height and width. Most stairs are 30” wide.
b. Cut as many panels out of scrap plywood or paneling as you need. Make sure one side of the scrap is smooth or sand it.
c. Decide how many tiles you want for each riser. I did 5.
d. Create grooves in each panel to simulate grout lines. As you can see from the picture, I did 4 for each panel. I used a table saw for this. If you don’t have a table saw, you can use a non-soluble pen or black or grey paint to make the lines. If you are using paint for the grout lines, wait till AFTER you prime!
e. Apply 2 coats of any primer, sanding in between coats with fine sandpaper. Whatever the color of the primer will be the color of the background. You can tint the primer with paint. If you don’t have primer, use 3 coats of regular paint. Make your grout lines if you haven’t done so with a table saw after you prime.

f. Pick a pattern you like and create a template. Mine are based on a Mexican tile pattern I found here: http://www.mexicantiles.com/terra-no...amic-tile.html

g. Trace the pattern with pencil on each ‘tile’ on your panels. Paint in the lines. I used leftover housepaint.
h. Outline the design with a nonsoluble marker. I used a Sharpie. You can make design lines if you like.
i. IMPORTANT – apply a paint fixative after you create your designs! I did not do this and the paint migrated. Most craft stores or art supply houses have fixative. Make sure it’s for latex paint.
j. Apply 4 coats of a clear top coat. I used MinWax. Make sure it is gloss finish. Let each coat dry for about 8 hours before applying the next one. Sand only between the first and second coats.
k. Apply the panels to the risers with (preferably) a nail gun. If you don’t have one, use very fine short finishing nails. Make sure the panels lay flat on the riser – because the wood is scrap it may be bowed. You can use a combination of wood glue and the finishing nails to flatten the panel if you need to.
l. POST PICTURES!!!!!

all I can say is WOW!! what a talent you have

Well done, they look wonderful!

I just voted also. That is such a great idea! Your still in #1 position! Way to go girl!

Beautiful what a change it makes. very creative. DEB

Congrats--you are famous!!!

Me too!!!!!!

AWWW! Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :lol:

You have my vote...hope you win!!! They are beautiful!

I voted also..just wish they would of shown a before and after picture also..such a great job..makes me want to rip the carpet of my stairs... :P

Actually I think if you click the picture it shows my photo album with the stairs. BTW - I had the UGLIEST indoor/outdoor carpet on them. I ripped it up and removed all the nails and staples and got lucky - I had actual treads, not subflooring. However, allis not lost if thats the case - I would simply sand and paint with a durable paint like marine paint and put the little carpet treads on the stairs themselves. Then use the technique I described for the 'tiles'. So no matter what kind of wood you have for the stairs, if you hate carpet, this will work well.

I voted and shared it on my facebook, Good Luck!!!!

Very nice! Voted for you.

Quiltbeagle WHAT is that gorgeous avatar pattern?? The color scheme alone is just stunning....

I voted too.They are so so cute. Love them.

This is just awesome. You are one gifted person to think of doing this. I love it!

Really nice, makes the entire area look finished. Good Job.

I voted for your great job

Positively wonderful!!

Beautiful job!!!

:thumbup: :thumbup:

I went back and voted twice!!! HEE,HEE

Wow, they look just like tiles.

Neat idea.

I'm so-o-o-o-o happy for you!!!!!!!!! :thumbup: :thumbup: I was wowed by them when you first posted pics, and looking at them again I'm still wowed!!!!!! :thumbup: :thumbup:

They are awesome - and I voted.