Sometimes a picture is too special to stay tucked away in an album. That is why I love the 9 inch MDF Memory Trays so much. They are a great way to frame a smaller layout and make it into a home decor piece.
The interior surface is a lightweight canvas cloth - literally a blank canvas. So I decided to use my embellishments as a mask to apply some color to the surface. I placed the star vine on top of the tray and sprayed it with three colors of Glimmer Mist. I then moved the vine and repeated the process.
Isnt' that pretty? Now, while spraying the tray, a certain amount of overspray will occur. Rest assured this will also dry on the frame in about 3-5 minutes, leaving a pretty subtle colored glimmer on its surface as well. So let it be!
The next thing I thought was, since this is fabric how about using an iron on to frame my photo? So I placed my iron on adhesive side down onto the canvas and placed a lightweight pressing cloth over the top.
Setting the craft iron on Cotton (no steam!) and place around the perimeter of the iron on for 15 second intervals. Press down but don't move the iron around. Let it cool completely before removing the backing.
While that was cooling, I went to work on my embellishments.
To combine the two vines to appear as one, use the coils from the Sunflower vine to wrap around the stars vine.
A real connection will work better than any adhesive.
I am also working to combine two completmentary colors, the aqua blue with the corals and yellows. So I decided to add a bird to the top of my vine. Once again, I used the coils from the vine to wrap around the inside of the bird's wing.
I also cut apart a crystal center to bring the browns and golds onto the bird's eye directly. I cut around the inside of the center at upper left, leaving the large stone intact for another part of the project. This allows me to connect the bird through the use of color to the rest of the project. Now they look like they were made to be together.
Now the iron on is completely cool so I removed the backing. But I'm not going to throw it away yet. It has more work to do! The backing sheet is translucent, so I place this over my photograph to position it nicely and silouhette the photo inside this frame using my scissors. I used a stapler to attach the backing sheet to the excess area of the photo while doing the cutting work.
But don't throw away that backing sheet just yet. It has ONE more job to do. I've applied some embellishments to my project and I'm ready to hit the whole thing with one last spritz of Glimmer Mist, in a light coat color to give everything a pretty glimmer. But I don't want my photograph to get coated. So to protect it, I place the backing over the photo, which of course masks it perfectly, and then spray.
And here is the final project. Feel free to click on any of the photos for a larger view.
I took that large gem that I'd cut out from the center placed to frame the bird's eye and placed it atop my large aqua flower. I also cut up another center to 'crown' the letter P in Princess. The last touch are some regal pearls placed at opposite corners of the frame and along the bottom of the tag.
So now everything is tied together and framed to fit a princess.
Products used in this project:
- 9" Memory Tray, Black #297978
- Say It In Studs and Crystal Centers #530945
- Donna Downey Iron On Frame #920302
- Donna Downey Embroidered Tag #920142
- Petite Fleur Vine #529079
- Galaxy Stars Copper #529895
- Say It In Pearls Strips, Cream #530488
- Galaxy Roses, Pierre #533281
- Painted Ladies, Nob Hill Flowers #532727
- Whispered Words, flocked alphabet stickers, #812072
- Holiday Lights Birds, Blue
And from Tattered Angels:
- Glimmer Mist in Crushed Shells, Coral Reef and Electric Blue
And now, to add to the fun...simply leave a comment on this blog post for your chance to win a prize! We will randomly choose a winner on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010. Open to North American only for this drawing. Check back every 4 weeks or so for a world-wide drawing!!
From the entries received on our last technique post, using Random.org's random integer generator -- the winner for our previous technique post drawing is:
Ruth Tacoma!Thanks for all the inspiration!
Please contact me so we can mail out your lovely prize at sallylynn@primamarketinginc.com. Prizes will be held for 7 days only. Please contact us promptly.
Best of luck to each of you! And I look forward to chatting with you today and every week with TNT.
P.S. Do you want a Prima Endorsed Artist-Educator to teach a workshop at your store or event? Contact Lu at
Sally Lynn MacDonald
http://www.sallylynnmacdonald.com
http://www.facebook.com/sallylynn.macdonald
Oh this is fabulous!!! Love the details!
Posted by: Denise Jensen | Wednesday, March 03, 2010 at 12:53 PM
Sally -
This is just beautiful! What a great idea these boxes are. I agree with you, that picture is too precious to put away in an album. You've done a truly superb job framing the photo.
Elaine Allen
Posted by: Elaine Allen | Wednesday, March 03, 2010 at 01:30 PM
Beautiful job as always from Prima.
Posted by: Sheila | Wednesday, March 03, 2010 at 01:40 PM
This is beautiful! thanks for the tips.
Posted by: conniemelancon | Wednesday, March 03, 2010 at 02:12 PM
Fabulous project - love it... thanks for the opportunity to enter another giveaway... pick me!!!
Posted by: Linda Shewchuk | Wednesday, March 03, 2010 at 02:13 PM
That is just the most amazing project!! I love the end result and all that I learned leading up to it. Gorgeous!
Posted by: Julie O. | Wednesday, March 03, 2010 at 02:22 PM
Beautiful framed art! Thanks for sharing the technique and the final product.
Posted by: Renee Clark | Wednesday, March 03, 2010 at 03:41 PM
Lovely! I learned a lot of neat things on this one, THANK YOU!!
Posted by: Julie | Wednesday, March 03, 2010 at 04:22 PM
Oh my - I love this project - awesome techniques!!!!
Posted by: Erika M | Wednesday, March 03, 2010 at 06:13 PM
Absolutely stunning! Wow!
Posted by: Janet B | Wednesday, March 03, 2010 at 08:17 PM
oh i'm loving this! what great techniques and ideas! think i'm going to have to try this out myself!
Posted by: rebekah lane | Wednesday, March 03, 2010 at 08:20 PM
Absolutely stunning! What a wonderful project.
Posted by: Valerie Serfozo | Wednesday, March 03, 2010 at 08:51 PM
I really love how you framed the bird's eye with the large gem. I will have to remember this technique. A great and beautiful layout.
Posted by: Brenda Lubrant | Wednesday, March 03, 2010 at 10:18 PM
beautiful canvas frame -- always tons of inspiration on your blog. Also just purchased the Caravan Flowers -- LOVE them all!!!
jill from Canada
Posted by: jill | Wednesday, March 03, 2010 at 11:32 PM
Gorgeous project! Its got a real magical feeling :)
Posted by: Lynn | Thursday, March 04, 2010 at 06:44 AM
Oh This is just stunning!! Would love a version of this with photos of each of my 4 girls for my wall!! TFS!!!
Posted by: Robin Wade | Thursday, March 04, 2010 at 08:01 AM
Very pretty. I love all the work you put into it. Flowers and glimmer mist who could go wrong with that. =)
Posted by: Christy T | Thursday, March 04, 2010 at 08:31 AM
This is great. Thanks for sharing ideas on how to use the gems!
Posted by: Jodee | Thursday, March 04, 2010 at 09:23 AM
This is beautiful. I love all the detail work and that you can hang this in your home for everyone to see!
Posted by: Carol Zeitz | Thursday, March 04, 2010 at 09:52 AM
This is a beautiful project. Love all the detail that is shown.
Posted by: Pam of Memphis | Thursday, March 04, 2010 at 10:07 AM
Wow! I need to think about altered art projects more -- thanks!
Posted by: Krystle | Thursday, March 04, 2010 at 10:25 AM
This is such a neat idea!
Posted by: Melinda Wilson | Thursday, March 04, 2010 at 10:43 AM
I love the prima vibes so much but never though of using the parts of them to connect to other things!!! thanks for the idea! and this color combo really does pop!!!
Posted by: val gould | Thursday, March 04, 2010 at 10:53 AM
What a gorgeous frame/layout! I always get inspiration when I visit your site....which is everyday! Thanks Prima!
Posted by: Bev | Thursday, March 04, 2010 at 12:09 PM
Love It!!
Posted by: Kelly | Thursday, March 04, 2010 at 01:27 PM
Great idea about using the iron-on negative as a mask! Thanks for the tips.
Posted by: Jenny W | Thursday, March 04, 2010 at 01:43 PM
Love the new technique!
Posted by: Lillian Child | Thursday, March 04, 2010 at 02:15 PM
what a FABULOUS framing idea! i love the Glimmer Mist on canvas idea - just BEAUTIFUL results!
can't wait to see Marion when she goes live! CONGRATS on the brand new page!
Posted by: Leah the Orange | Thursday, March 04, 2010 at 02:30 PM
hmm..am gonna give masking another try...love all the shades of fabulous blues!
Posted by: kate blue | Thursday, March 04, 2010 at 03:42 PM
Wow, I am so glad I've discovered your fabulous blog - I am definitely going to be a regular here!
How fab that you are offering a giveaway on top of all of the inspiration and eye candy you offer!
Posted by: The Paper Princess | Thursday, March 04, 2010 at 03:42 PM
This was a beautiful project. Thanks for the directions.
Posted by: Pam Spradlin | Thursday, March 04, 2010 at 04:22 PM
Beautiful!!!
Posted by: Rebecca | Thursday, March 04, 2010 at 04:51 PM
just beautiful!
Posted by: Nancy L. | Thursday, March 04, 2010 at 05:05 PM
What a beautiful idea!!
Posted by: Lisa Henderson | Thursday, March 04, 2010 at 06:10 PM
What a great project! Thank you for the inspiration!!!
Linda
Posted by: Linda H | Thursday, March 04, 2010 at 06:29 PM
What a beautiful project! Such great ideas!
Posted by: fong33 | Thursday, March 04, 2010 at 07:24 PM
Spectacular!!
Posted by: Stacie | Thursday, March 04, 2010 at 08:01 PM
Thank you for the great ideas and techniques.
Posted by: catherinel | Friday, March 05, 2010 at 08:00 AM
This is a great tutorial. Nice inspiring project. Glimmer mist is on the shopping list for the weekend! Anne, yourmainestamper
Posted by: Anne Thompson | Friday, March 05, 2010 at 09:59 AM
Love how you used the backing sheet of the iron-on to cut your photo to fit perfectly!
Posted by: Kelli | Saturday, March 06, 2010 at 10:39 PM
Oh my gosh! I love that project! Thanks for the inspiration! LindaC
Posted by: Linda Cummings | Sunday, March 07, 2010 at 03:02 PM
I SO adore altered art and the Prima product provides such an awesome vintage, girly feel. thank you so much for sharing all these techniques.
ANg
Posted by: ANg | Sunday, March 07, 2010 at 03:33 PM