From Gold to Grunge

Don't we all have an old frame or two in the garage?   I know I have way too many, (as my husband reminds me).

I decided to see what I had, as I had bought a new piece of art and the size was unusual. Normally I would go to the framer, but I thought, wait a minute I think I have one that might just fit with some adjustments.  The frame came from a garage sale and that person had bought it at Goodwill, just like my intentions for all those "bargain finds" that never get completed.

Lovely, but not my style....

READY?

I started by wiping it off with a damp rag just to get any garage ca-ca off of it.   Then the fun begins.   I chose Driftwood for my base color.   I often add clear coat to my paint, in this case, I did not as I wanted heavy coverage to get rid of the gold.

I allowed this coat to dry.   

I noticed that the flaws of uneven miters showed up, so I added swamp mud in the miters to make it look more professionally done...Hey, what do I want from a $1.00 frame???

I made sure to even it out and wipe off excess using my fingers.  I rubbed it away from the decorative beading so I would still have definition of the beads.   I again, allowed it to dry thoroughly.

Another coat of Driftwood covers the miter fix-up.

NOW FOR THE REAL FUN!!!

Grunge Glaze applied with cheesecloth.

You can use a brush if you want, or an old towel or jersey.   For this amount of decorative detail, I thought the cheesecloth would allow me to get into nooks and crannies.  At the same time, I did not want pools of glaze "clogging up" the details and this allowed me freedom.

I worked the glaze until I felt it was just right.  It is so incredibly easy to use and it's water based, so cleanup was simple with soap and water.

Dried again and a review of the appearance, then a layer of clear coat to seal in all the yumminess.

Now to frame the art.  The frame had a dated mat with a gold layer.   Not the ticket for this new one.  I dismantled the mats and then cut the art to fit the mat.  I think it now looks like a well loved frame perhaps from an old salon, what do you think?

Here we are, what a transformation!  The art is funky and the frame tempers the funkiness, I think. 

The art was created by LuLu My Pink Turtle from Canada.

A "Jeaneous" PARIS Gift Bag!

I am honored to be on DIY Design Studio™  first Design Team with the other talented artist/designers: Trish Alger, Trisha Neal, Stephanie Siatta and Jean Moore.  Today I hope to live up to the expectations of this company and team. 

My first DIY project is upcycling my husband's jeans! About 3 weeks ago he was about to throw them in the trash... I told him they were too good to throw away!  He said, they are frayed and getting holes.  I replied, what better pair of jeans to make things from.  Here is my first project from his jeans!

A "JEANEOUS" PARIS GIFT BAG!

 

 

Supplies

Dixie Belle Paints Flamingo and Butter Cream

Paris Stencil

Old pair of Jeans

Thread

Lace - 1 1/2 to 2 inches wide

Ribbon & Twine

Charm

 

Tools:

Sewing Machine

Straight Pins

Scissors

Ruler

Paint brush

Paper Towel

Spray adhesive

Painters tape

 

 

Measure the jeans before cutting, use a bottle about the size you would like to use your bag for.  Here I have a bottle of wine.

 

Draw lines to guide when cutting directly on the jeans, this lines will not show when you are finished. 

 

Spray the back side of the Paris Stencil with spray adhesive, let set a minute before laying on the jeans, this will allow the adhesive to become tacky, not permanent.  This helps keep the paint from seeping under the stencil. Once you have the Paris Stencil in place use painters tape around the edges to keep the stencil in place.

 

Use Dixie Belle Paint - Flamingo with a dry brush and dab the paint over the stencil.  DO NOT use a brush saturated in paint, if it looks like there is too much paint on the brush dab the brush on a paper towel before applying to the stencil.  Let the paint set for a few minutes, dry to the touch. 

 

Next, highlight the stenciled image with  Dixie Belle Paint - Butter Cream. Use a very dry brush, wipe extra paint off brush on a paper towel before applying to the jeans.

 

Let the paint set for a few minutes, then remove tape and Paris Stencil, wash the stencil immediately after removing from jeans.   Let set over night!

 

I didn't have any lace that matched my painted jeans.  I made my own matching lace by painting it with Dixie Belle Paint - Flamingo!  Be sure to use a very dry brush when painting, after dipping my brush in the paint I dabbed it on a paper towel to get off any excess paint.  Let dry.

 

When the jeans & lace are dry sew the lace onto the jeans.  Pin the to the inside of the bottom of the jeans.  Use a heavy duty needle on the sewing machine as you will have to sew over some hefty jean seams.   

 

Carefully & slowly sew the lace on all the way around the bottom of the jeans.The frayed bottom of the jeans give the bag some character!

 

Now of the bottom of the bag, sew along the raw edge.  I did a straight stitch then a zigzag to keep the bottom from fraying and to be it was sturdy for the heavy bottle I might put in it!

 

Next create a flat bottom in the bag, with the bag inside out fold the bottom flat so that you have a point at one corner.  For my bag I used my large see-thru ruler to get a the seam in the middle to the two edges.  Draw a line and pin to keep the front and back side aligned. Repeat on the other side. 

 

Sew a straight stich where you drew the line on both sides. Now your bag should have two feet!

 

When you turn the bag inside out it should have a squared off bottom, as pictured below. 

Now the bag is ready to add twine, ribbon and an Eiffel Tower charm!!

 

 

 

Hope I have inspired you to create your own Dixie Belle painted gift bags!

 

DIY DESIGN STUDIO's First Design Team!

Here at DIY Design Studio™ 

we are proud to introduce

 our first talented team

 of DIY designers!!!

Trish Alger

Trisha Neal

Stephanie Siatta

Lyneen Jesse

and

Jean Moore

 TRISH ALGER of Texas

Fun things like googly eyes on handcut hearts, slipped into school lockers, sparked my obsession with cardmaking. Nothing is safe from the mixed-media transformation; canvas, paper, metal, found items. Creativity is a daily endeavor whether in the studio, the kitchen, or the camera lens. I love to spark that creativity in others with a nudge in the right direction.


Currently I reside in Central Texas, with my husband of 31 years and grandmother of six. A mixed-media artist active in our local art community; a BFA student and hobby-esque writer. I enjoy instructing others that there is an answer to the question “can I,create that?”…YES you can!

You will find more of Trish's art at the following links:
My portfolio on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/chicknscratch/trish-algers-creative-portfolio/
Photos on Instagram: https://instagram.com/chicknscratch/
Daily video on Periscope: https://www.periscope.tv/chicknscratchaz
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChicknscratchAZ
Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/justchickenscratch



 TRISHA NEAL of Missouri

Thanks to my dear mother, who kept the house well stocked in art supplies and good art books, and who set the example by continually working on different art and craft projects, taking me to galleries, art shows, and on forays to the art supply store, I have an undeniable, ingrained love of all things art.

Thank you very much to DIY Design Studio™ for this opportunity; I enjoy working with the creative and talented design team.
Please stop by sometime at: http://easilyamusedhardtooffend.blogspot.com

STEPHANIE SIATTA of Arizona

I am so pleased to be able to use my art talents in a FUN and productive manner at DIY Design Studio™.  I am a wife. Mom to 2 kids growing up too fast and an artist.   Like so many of us, I have worked at things that did not allow my truly creative side to be alive, but now I can!    I still have my home based job of medical transcriptionist to pay for my art/craft supplies!

I love mixed media, assemblage, watercolor, acrylics, DIY projects to refinish old things into upcycled or recycled treasures.  I have my grandmother's bedroom dresser and vanity bought in 1948 and it is still being used in my bedroom!  You can't buy them like that anymore.  However it has changed colors. been stripped, stained, redone and looks great AGAIN!     I guess that's how I feel sometimes, strip away the old, see the new.   

LYNEEN JESSE of Washington

I am honored to have the opportunity to work with the talented members of the DIY Design Studio™  Design Team. I live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, have been married for 16 years to a terrific guy. We have one precious fur baby, Lilly.

I began creating during my youth with my siblings under the guidance of our mother making gifts for grandparents. Mom always kept a "make it box" with art supplies. We would dabble in frosting when she decorated cakes. At one time, I even competed in cake decorating. As time passed my medium of choice was paper. I love ephemera, vintage embellishments and pattern paper, which may be out of control! Rubber stamping has been a love of mine since before rubber stamping was popular. I am the proud owner of thousands of stamps. Like many I found other mediums to work into paper crafting and my style has evolved over time. Assemblage, altered art and vintage have become some of my favorites. I teach classes at local shops, there are three pieces of advice I like to pass on to my students, “There’s no right or wrong way to create!” "You never make mistakes, only opportunities." And “You are your own worst critic!”

In my spare time you will might find me in craft stores, antique or thrift shops, yard sales and auctions always on the hunt for old paper, buttons, lace, ephemera and anything else that might be useful in future projects! I have been published in several issues of Rubber StampMadness, Take Ten, Stampers Sampler, West Sound Home&Garden, The Best of Stampington & Company HandCrafted Vol.7, severeal JUST Steampunk publication's and   more.  Find more of my art on my blog: http://dreamingofcastles.blogspot.com/

JEAN MOORE of Arizona

Owner of AlteredPages.com and DIYDesignStudio™

Jean has always been involved in art and crafts (as so many of us have). From paper to painting to clay to professional interior designer, it’s been color, texture and a love of all things beautiful. Transplanted from the East Coast to Arizona provided a new look at the beauty of America.

Kindness is the utmost importance, support and sharing good things make the world go round! Jean is recognized for insisting on the BEST customer service and encouraging Design Team members to do their very best. Without great customers and a solid Design Team, there would be no companies.

Words that paint a portrait of Jean; Determined, effective, adaptable, dedicated, caring and efficient. 
www.DiyDesignStudio.com
www.alteredpages.com
www.mailboxmuse.com
http://alteredpages-artsociates.blogspot.com

HELP US WELCOME THIS FABULOUS TEAM!

Stop by tomorrow for our first official design team post!