Easy up Cycles for your favorite frames

I am a sucker for a ornate vintage frame.  I get lucky every once in a while and find one at a great price at a thrift store or yard sale.  I also like art that I cannot afford so I have improvised and the results are quiet nice.

This particular frame was a yard sale barter.  A few antique dealers and I have a spring or early summer yard sale and I try not to bring home more that I took.  

  This frame measures 21 x 24 inches with a display area of 15.5 x 19.5 .  It is not a high quality frame and was mass produced but I like its size and details.  Although the subject is beautiful it is not my taste .  The first thing I do is decide what I want to use to update this frame.  A quick search on ETSY is a great way to get started on new subject matter.  Decoupage is an easy way to update this.  I opted for a floral still life that cost me $12.99.

This particular medium is printed rice paper measuring 16.5 a 23.4.  The perfect size for the interior of my frame. 

This particular item had creases in it so I ironed it flat lightly misting each crease and pressing out with medium temp. Iron.

Once the wrinkles are addressed I lay the art paper to the side and start prepping the frame. I removed the printed card board art print and all the staples using a staple tool and pliers.  

The printed card board was in pretty good shape so I used it as my backer to decoupage on.  Luckily the back was white so I did not have to paint it before applying the art work. 

Here are the supplies that I needed from here matte mod podge or your favorite brand.

 I used a one stroke paint bush it holds enough glue to get a good thick application,

 a scraper anything with a smooth edge to push bubbles out with.

And I since this was a large print I also used my sewing weights (up cycled antique ironstone door knobs)

  After I decided where to position the art work, on the card board insert, I weighted it down to prevent shifting and starting from the center working in one direction a small strip at a time and adhered it down with mod podge making sure to smooth out the air bubbles. 

 Once it is completely adhered I use the mod podge to make brush marks on the front it will dry clear and leave texture (paint strokes).

Set aside to let dry completely a few hours. Once dry use a 220 piece of sand paper to remove the excess on the edges.

This technique will give you a clean edge .  I used a finger sander and you can find one on Amazon for around 12 dollars with refills.  

It is now ready to put back in your frame.  If you left the hanger on the frame make sure you have your picture right side up. 

I used a framing tool to "staple" the art work in to the frame.  If you are going to be making a lot of these it is well worth the investment.

To finish the art work I covered the back with the original brown  paper and paper tape.

Find that perfect spot in your home and enjoy!

And of course if you are on a roll do two!

Hints and making it easier!

This little dog art work made a light area along the crease.

A quick disguise is using antiquing wax or brown ink to blend.  I used distress ink.

I place a paper clip under to start of my tape roll making it easier to start the tape.

I hope you are inspired to make your own art.  

Love ,

Sheryl

Supporting some one that has lost a loved one. Facebook is not the answer.

 

It has been three and a half months since I lost my oldest son.  Yes the grief is still very raw however it has allowed me to see who my supporters are and affirm my doubts of who I thought would surly be there.  If you know someone  that has suffered a great loss take a meal, pick the phone up and call or send a card.  Do not let your inability to know what to say stop you from letting them feel how important they are to you and how much you love them.  Lets be honest there is nothing you can say to lessen their pain or bring back that loved one.  However , a simple "I love you " , " could you use some company right now?" and a provided meal can speak volumes at the end of a hard day for a person in grief.  Let me say this Facebook does not count!!!  Get off your ass and find the time to make a personal effort.  Facebook is okay to post your kids birthday pictures, yard sale pictures and wedding pictures.  It is okay to announce events and swoon and brag on your kids accomplishments on Facebook.  To think that it is a substitute for "checking in on people you love and keeping up with them , is depressing.  We can find time to binge Netflix, Prime and you tube.  We can find time to go on vacation , shop and play bejeweled and spider solitaire on our phones and computers.  These are for our entertainment and consume a lot of our time.  I have been guilty .  These activities do not require us to give of ourselves or our time and it shows in our families and in the world.  We make time for what we think is important.   

Last night I attended a memorial service given by Powers Funeral home of the families they had served this year.  There was over 500 people remembered and my Son was one of them.  This is one funeral home in our county.  It was sobering at how death does not discriminate. Time is not promised, how are you spending yours.  Are you making it count?

Love to you all,

Sheryl 

Dealing with the loss of a Child

  Ecclesiastes 3:1-2: "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die."

July 17, 2024 my little buddy got his wings. He is no longer under my care, he is with his Father in heaven.  The numbness is wearing off and I am not adjusting well to life with out him.  I basically cry when I wake in the morning and when I go to bed  cry myself to sleep.  When I added the photo I cried.  This little guy was my purpose for almost 31 years.  I woke up for him, to get him up, manage his health care and love him.  The last two years have been with Home Hemodialysis; the first 5 hours of the day , 5 days a week, was dialysis.  

His mornings started between 6:30 and 7:00 am.  That is the first difficult time of the day.  There is something I should be doing, and their is no one to do it for.  I will admit I do go in his room and start his music and turn his lamp on.  Music was in our house at least 12 hours a day and he was the DJ.    I manage to mutter through the day and most of the day I have no idea what day it is or what time it is and to be honest I do not care.   My little buddy was a task master.  Vitals, medication, meal prep and hugs and kisses dropped from the minute hand filling my day with him!   4:30 pm he would put his "order in" for dinner.  "I want Grilled chicken with asparagus, cucumbers, chocolate pudding and Honey mustard"  Was his favorite and dinner was served at 5:00.  TV, Walker Texas Ranger and trolling the house to: "just 'checkin' on you " until 7:00 pm bed time.  I am numb and my heart hurts and will hurt until I die.  Joe gave unconditional love to everyone.  He told strangers in Lowes he loved them and he never met a stranger.  In his last moments he apologized to me  because I was sad.

  I do not know what to do with myself.  I have "free" time with a Heart bound by grief.  There is  no Joe hugs, no announcing his favorite George Strait video "Chalk Board!", no kisses, no dancing, no asking when his brother will be home or declaring his Love for his brother.  So much of our home was Joe.  No calling Daddy Walker  and I am no longer Alex. My husband and I have to redefine our relationship we are no longer a medical care tag team.

  I know if " God brought me to it he will get me through it" and that is a good thing, because I do not think I will get through this on my own.  I do know one thing so far from this pain and grief; Life is fleeting, fragile, and if you have people in your life that you love but do not make time for stop it.  There is no guarantee of tomorrow and once that loved one passes time is over.  You cannot make up the days that you decided you had something else more important todo.  I was blessed with being there for Joe's final moments I got to tell him I loved him.  We spoke of God and Jesus and the fact that he would wake up in Gods House with a new body.  He would be whole in Christ.  What a wonderful promise and Joe believed and loved his Jesus.

 John 11:25-26: "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die."

Until we see each other again little buddy .

Mom  aka Alex

Piano stool upcycle makeover , shabby chic

 

This piano stool was the right price and had potential.  

A vintage stool.  It has seen better days.  It needed to be recovered and painted.  I like the size a great place to stack books, drop your purse or with a tray a resting spot for a plant.

I removed the top and the Naugahyde cover off of it.  I found a Waverly curtain panel at the good will for two bucks.

This will make the perfect cover.  

I cut the curtain to fit added some batting for a little extra padding and grabbed the stapler.

  One leg was damaged on the bottom so I sanded it level and put a furniture leg pad on it to prevent a wabble.  

The base I sanded and painted with Dixie Belle mud puddle paint color, distressed, applied clear wax then dark to age it. 

The color Mud Puddle has mauve to pink undertones to it and matched the rose fabric perfectly.

She is priced and will go to Vintage Collections in Camden SC on June 6th

Now if I could have this much fun pulling weeds out of the sidewalk.

May you always find potential in everything.

Sheryl