guest post// diy color block gold leaf log

Table of Contents

This post is written by Jess, a mom to 3 kids and wife to a collegiate strength coach. She has a degree in Industrial Design and she also minored in Interior Design. Jess loves to share her eclectic sense of style with everyone on her blog, Domicile 37.

Hello All! I feel very honored to be guest blogging on Little Dove Creations today! I love reading about Justine and her sweet family and all that she can do…She is a talented lady and a great mom. With that said, I thought that I would ease her burden (as she preps for her new addition) and help her out by sharing a simple DIY that is all season appropriate and is extremely easy 
to recreate…and it only takes about 30 minutes. 
Before I get started with the DIY, I would love to give y’all the backstory to how I obtained my log. Please do note, you can purchase your log at a store, this is just a story of how I obtained mine…A couple of months ago, while driving to I do not know where, I saw a pile of logs sitting at the curb of a home in my neighborhood, I assumed they were free…well, I am pretty sure they were free because a few days after I obtained my small pile, I drove back down that street and saw a bigger pile with a sign that said free. Anyways, I threw my small pile of logs in my van and let it sit there for a few days while I tried to figure out how I was going to disinfect them of all the creatures inside of them (I live in a townhouse, so I was most certainly not bringing them in without a plan). I decided to put the logs in my oven at the lowest setting (175 degrees) and I let it bake for an hour. To my surprise, it worked. 
Materials: 
A log or tree stump
Modge podge (any brand will do)
Gold Leaf
2-Paint brushes (or foam brush)

*Note: If you happen to pick up a stump or log from outside to kill the critters, you can bake your logs at 175 degrees (or your lowest oven temperature setting) for an hour PRIOR to attempting this DIY. NOW, this is what worked for me but it may not work for everyone—I also checked on the logs while in the oven every 10-15 minutes to make sure everything was okay and nothing was on fire.

Steps: 
(As Pictured Below)
Apply modge podge to desired area on log with paint brush (or foam brush). You can choose to tape off the section if wanted. I think there is beauty in imperfection so I chose to eye ball everything. When working with modge podge, do a little section at a time. Modge podge dries fast, so you have to be quick when working with it. 
I worked in small sections (the size of a gold leaf sheet) and I applied the gold leaf on top of the modge podge and repeated these steps until I worked my way around the whole lower section of my log. After I placed the gold leaf down on the area of the log covered in modge podge, I gently pushed down on the gold leaf, securing it to the log. When doing this, try to keep the fingers you use to push the gold leaf down on clean and free of glue. You do not want the gold leaf to stick to your fingers. 

After I gently pushed the gold leaf down, I grabbed my dry paint brush and I patted the gold leaf down almost like I was doing a stipple affect with a dry paint brush. I wanted the gold leaf to really sink into the wood and to have a raw look to it. I did not want it to look perfect.

After the gold leaf settled a bit into the wood, I took my modge podge and paint brush (the one used in step one) and applied modge podge over the gold leaf to act as a sealant. 
Voila, now you have yourself a chic, on trend (not too trendy), but classic in style decor piece.
Thanks ALL for having me today! I enjoyed sharing a little part of me with you.
********
Thank you so much Jess, this is a gorgeous project. 
It somehow perfectly combines a simple, rustic look with chic sophistication, love it!
You can follow Jess on the following social media:

60 Responses to guest post// diy color block gold leaf log

  1. Lauren White July 29, 2015 at 2:01 pm #

    This is why I need to read things like this. I would never, in a million years, have thought of this – but I think I could copy it with your instructions!

  2. Shingai Kagunda July 29, 2015 at 2:08 pm #

    This beautiful, cool, and simple! <3 it

  3. Ariel Pingault July 29, 2015 at 2:10 pm #

    This is such a cool idea! You could make smaller ones as paper weights or cut them in half for bookends too! Awesome possibilities! Thanks for sharing this post!

  4. Susannah July 29, 2015 at 2:14 pm #

    This is awesome! I think I'll need to do something like this in our new house.

  5. Shann Eva July 29, 2015 at 2:28 pm #

    My son and husband would love this project. I never thought about baking it in the oven to get rid of the yuck…I mean critters 🙂 Great tips!

  6. visit - oldworldnew.us July 29, 2015 at 2:46 pm #

    This is such a cute and simple accent piece for almost any room in the house! Thanks for sharing Jess's project!

  7. Jill Morgenstern July 29, 2015 at 3:19 pm #

    What a nice look and pretty easy too it looks like! (except…it ALWAYS looks easier than it is!)

  8. Chelsea Hetzel July 29, 2015 at 3:43 pm #

    Wow, that looks awesome!! I LOVE projects like this! So simple and pretty. Love the rustic look!

  9. Candace Shiflet July 29, 2015 at 3:50 pm #

    Oh that't cute and seems really easy!! And it would make a good wedding reception decor, too 🙂
    xo Candace
    http://www.lovelyittlerants.com

  10. Bethany Magnie July 29, 2015 at 4:04 pm #

    So gorgeous for a wedding! Great idea 🙂 I'll stash it for my big day!!

  11. Emily Ward July 29, 2015 at 5:09 pm #

    Such a beautiful craft!! I'm a firm believer that you could basically gold leaf anything & it would be amazing. But a log! SO creative.

  12. Refashionably Late July 29, 2015 at 5:47 pm #

    I love how it's rustic but with a touch of glam! 🙂 Gold makes everything prettier! 🙂

  13. Betsy @ Happily Ever After, Etc. July 29, 2015 at 6:52 pm #

    Love how it's natural but glamorous at the same time! So cute!

  14. Natalie Busch July 29, 2015 at 7:21 pm #

    What a unique idea! I love it.

  15. Asheli Cox July 29, 2015 at 8:04 pm #

    So cool! Love it!

  16. Allison Gallagher July 29, 2015 at 9:24 pm #

    Love this! I'm moving into a new apartment soon and I'm totally going to do this.

    girlnextscore.com

  17. StarTraci July 29, 2015 at 11:38 pm #

    Love it! I like the mix of glam and rustic.
    🙂
    Traci

  18. Anonymous July 30, 2015 at 2:49 am #

    I really like this! So simple and classy.

  19. CourtneyLynne July 30, 2015 at 3:30 am #

    Omg this came out so good!!! Totally fabulous:):)

  20. Samantha Smith July 30, 2015 at 4:05 am #

    This is soooo pretty!! Love it!!

  21. Justine Y @ Little Dove Creations July 30, 2015 at 6:11 am #

    Oh! I love the idea of bookends! Smart! that would be perfect for my bookshelves in my family room! 🙂

  22. Justine Y @ Little Dove Creations July 30, 2015 at 6:12 am #

    I know, me either! Glad Jess thought of everything for us. 😉

  23. Justine Y @ Little Dove Creations July 30, 2015 at 6:13 am #

    Haha Jill, I kind of agree, I'm sure when I try this it will NOT turn out quite as awesome… or it will take me forever to complete. One of the two. 🙂

  24. Justine Y @ Little Dove Creations July 30, 2015 at 6:13 am #

    That's a great idea Candace!

  25. Justine Y @ Little Dove Creations July 30, 2015 at 6:13 am #

    I know, right? When I received her post I was like, "Jess is a genius!"

  26. Justine Y @ Little Dove Creations July 30, 2015 at 6:15 am #

    I know Lauren, I was so excited about her guest piece! I can't wait to make my own. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!

  27. Justine Y @ Little Dove Creations July 30, 2015 at 6:15 am #

    It really is the perfect mix, that's why I love it so much!

  28. Justine Y @ Little Dove Creations July 30, 2015 at 6:16 am #

    I know, I can't wait to make my own (if I can find a spare moment in the next couple months, lol).

  29. Justine Y @ Little Dove Creations July 30, 2015 at 6:17 am #

    I know, isn't it though?! I haven't seen anything like it before but I love it!

  30. Justine Y @ Little Dove Creations July 30, 2015 at 6:17 am #

    Congratulations on your new place! I think this would make a perfect accent piece! 🙂

  31. Stephanie Watkins July 30, 2015 at 12:20 pm #

    Awesome idea! Follower of Jess and new to your blog Justine. Glad I saw this project and I'm living your blog. 🙂

  32. Lexi D July 30, 2015 at 1:41 pm #

    This is so perfect! It would definitely go in my home and we have plenty of logs laying around here for our fireplace. Hmm maybe I will try this!

  33. Ashley Soto July 30, 2015 at 3:45 pm #

    I love the golden leaf look, and this is totally something I want to try!

  34. Cathy Mini July 30, 2015 at 5:25 pm #

    I adore this leaf log–I think it's a great way to transition summer decor into fall decor! Very chic!

  35. Tiffany Allen July 30, 2015 at 8:31 pm #

    I'm trying this! I'm having a party and gold is one of the main colors……I will use this trick to spice up some props at the party.

  36. Justine Y @ Little Dove Creations August 1, 2015 at 6:34 am #

    Thanks so much Stephanie! Glad you stopped by! 🙂

  37. Justine Y @ Little Dove Creations August 1, 2015 at 6:35 am #

    I totally agree, great transition into Fall!

  38. Justine Y @ Little Dove Creations August 1, 2015 at 6:35 am #

    This would make beautiful party decor!

  39. Justine Y @ Little Dove Creations August 1, 2015 at 6:36 am #

    I know Lexi,we've got plenty of logs too. I'm totally adding it to my project to-do list. 🙂

  40. Jess rey August 13, 2015 at 2:09 pm #

    Thank you Lauren. I try to make things simple when I do a tutorial, for the simple fact that I have a hard time following directions myself. Ha.

  41. Jess rey August 13, 2015 at 2:10 pm #

    Thank you!

  42. Jess rey August 13, 2015 at 2:11 pm #

    Bookends would be sooooo cute! You should try it!

  43. Jess rey August 13, 2015 at 2:12 pm #

    Thank you! You should try it!

  44. Jess rey August 13, 2015 at 2:13 pm #

    Haha! I needed the critters out….Thanks!

  45. Jess rey August 13, 2015 at 2:13 pm #

    thank you for stopping by!

  46. Jess rey August 13, 2015 at 2:14 pm #

    Haha y'all are funny….You sound like me whenever I see someone else's tutorial! Thanks for stopping by.

  47. Jess rey August 13, 2015 at 2:15 pm #

    Thank you.

  48. Jess rey August 13, 2015 at 2:33 pm #

    Great Idea!

  49. Jess rey August 13, 2015 at 2:34 pm #

    Please do and thank you for checking out my tutorial!

  50. Jess rey August 13, 2015 at 2:35 pm #

    Right with ya!…Gold definitely makes everything better!

  51. Jess rey August 13, 2015 at 2:37 pm #

    Thanks….natural glamour!

  52. Jess rey August 13, 2015 at 2:38 pm #

    thank you!

  53. Jess rey August 13, 2015 at 2:39 pm #

    Thanks!

  54. Jess rey August 13, 2015 at 2:39 pm #

    Awww, thank you!

  55. Jess rey August 13, 2015 at 2:40 pm #

    Thanks Steph…Love your style and happy you stopped by Justine's site!

  56. Jess rey August 13, 2015 at 2:41 pm #

    Do it—gold leaf is a rockstar and so easy to use.

  57. Jess rey August 13, 2015 at 2:41 pm #

    Yes, it is! Totally agree. Thanks for stopping by!

  58. Jess rey August 13, 2015 at 2:42 pm #

    That sounds like it will be one chic party!

  59. Holly Housewife August 27, 2015 at 10:28 pm #

    Oooh this is adorable!!
    My sister has gold leaf paint and it's been used for sooooo many projects. I am all aboard the gold trend, so chic 🙂

  60. Justine Y @ Little Dove Creations August 28, 2015 at 3:24 am #

    I still have never gold leafed anything, but I really want to!

What do you think?

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.