This project is adapted from a workshop I took in the last year at the Artists’ Nook in Fort Collins, CO. The instructor, owner Christine Webb, showed us how to take an ordinary inexpensive frame from the dollar store and alter it to our own tastes. These frames can be the basis of an art piece (we altered copies of cabinet cards and inserted them into the frames) or the frames can make a really nice customized gift for a friend or loved one.
Modeling paste and stencils are the main tools used here. Brass stencils are great, but the more flexible alphabet or wall stencils will work well, too. For this particular project, I used punchinella, also known as sequin waste, as a stencil to create a honeycomb look. This was perfect for my bee-themed frame!
STEP 1: Sand frame lightly, or as needed, to give the frame a little tooth to allow for proper adhesion of paste and paint.
STEP 2: Using a palette knife, apply modeling paste through stencil.
When applying the modeling paste, be sure to hold the stencil in place and spread the paste gently and evenly. Remove the stencil by lifting it off the frame straight up and that will help keep the paste even and intact. If you don’t like the way it looks, you can scrape off the paste and start again. Of course, you might like the odd lump here or there...it's up to you!
Use a damp paper towel or cotton swab to remove stray bits of paste before it dries. It doesn’t need to be perfect, because you will be painting over this. Let the frame dry. This could take an hour or so, depending on the thickness of your application and the humidity level in your workspace. I let this one dry overnight before touching it.
IMPORTANT: Wash your stencils and palette knife immediately otherwise it will be ruined by the dried paste.
STEP 3: Apply a few coats of paint for the base coat. Here I used primary yellow, using a sea sponge to get in the little nooks and crannies of the stenciled texture. Be sure to paint the sides of the frame, as well. Let dry.
STEP 4: Dry brush black paint randomly on frame. Let dry.
STEP 5: Mount stickers on chipboard (or an old cereal box), cut out and coat with Dimensional Magic. Let dry.
STEP 6: Sponge gold and burnt orange metallic paints on frame randomly. Let dry.
STEP 7: Attach sticker embellishments to frame with Dimensional Magic.
Experiment with an assortment of stencils and different surfaces for various effects as well as with tools to create hand-drawn and freeform textures and designs. You can use the modeling paste in your altered books, on tags, canvases and pretty much any other surface you can think of!
Supply List
- Picture Frame (Artist’s Own)
- Sanding Block (Ace Hardware)
- Brass Stencils (All Night Media)
- Modeling Paste (Golden)
- Palette Knife (Artist’s Own)
- Primary Yellow Americana Acrylic Paint (DecoArt)
- Black Acrylic Paint (Anita’s)
- Paintbrush (Artist’s Own)
- Bryce & Madeline Bee Stickers (Melissa Neufeld Inc.)
- Chipboard (Artist’s Own)
- Dimensional Magic (Plaid)
- Artist’s Sea Sponge (Darice)
- Burnt Orange Lumiere Acrylic Paint (Jacquard)
- Metallic Gold Lumiere Acrylic Paint (Jacquard)
To find the products mentioned in this article and shown in these layouts, check with your local scrapbook retailer. Browse our Premier Retail Stores for coupons to a store near you.
