Up -Cycled Mirrored Frame

Howdy Happy Scrappers!

This project is an absolute synch.  From start to finish you should get this baby done in an hour or less.  It is another up-cycled project and it is more than possible that you have some kind of frame or mirrored frame like this one here.  I almost took a trip to the thrift store to see if I could find something there, when a friend of mine called and asked if I would help her take some things there.  She let me look through her stuff and I ended up keeping half of it! Ha!  Ya gotta love when that happens.  She had several of these framed mirrors.  It may be from Ikea.  It doesn't have to be just like this one.  As long as it is fairly flat, you're good to go.

I didn't even paint over the entire frame because I was just going to cover it up with paper anyway.  I did use a bit of craft paint to paint around the edges of the frame and the part of the frame by the mirror because those parts would show.  This kind of paint dried really fast and I was on my way to papering in no time.

How fantastic is this paper?!  I had it for a little while, waiting for just the right project to show it off.  I love retro advertising.  Especially, when it deals with worldly travel.  Mmmm...travel....

Let me tell you how I eye balled this one.  It saves a ton of time.  I just laid the piece of paper over the frame and marked the paper with a pencil where the frame ended after it was lined up to just the place I wanted it to stop on the frame.  So imagine it being 1/3 covered by your desired paper.  I didn't measure anything.  After I cut the paper to fit over the frame, I lined it up as perfectly as possible by simply setting it on the frame exactly where I wanted and ever so gently, pressed along the frame of the mirror on the three sides where it still needed cutting.  When you remove the paper and turn it over, you will see a faint line where you just pushed and then you cut on those lines.  It's so easy.  Of course, you cane measure it all up if you don't trust this method.

Then you use Mod Podge or something like it to glue down your design paper.

Measure up the next section of the frame like I explained above, glue and set. (This one is from Destinations collection from Simple Stories.)

The ribbon isn't necessary, but I think it gives the project some extra glam and it softens it up.  I couldn't choose what ribbon I wanted to use so I used all three!  All of it being from gifts I received.  (I know, I keep everything!)  Just simply tie it around the frame placing the knot just above the top cut out of the frame or mirror.

Choose some appropriate, coordinating embellishments like these below.  I had to play with them for a while before I figured out exactly where I wanted them.  (That is my favorite part of project making, but it often takes the longest.)  I keep thinking, "Location, location, location..."

Let's see what embellishments were finally chosen and applied.  A metallic edged tag affixed slightly under the knot of the ribbon and another tag like sticker that's been made sturdy with black, card stock underneath, also fixed slightly under the knot and to the right for balance.

In the bottom right hand corner of the mirror are several more sturdy stickers backed on black and 2 small, gold circles that were just punched out with a circle punch for more warm bling.  I typically use odd numbers of embellishments in my groupings.  You may choose to raise some of your embellishments so that they stick out, literally and figuratively.  Foam tape or 3D dots are great for this.

See how easy that was?  I really like this project.  It was made in under an hour. Looks fantastic and I didn't have to go out and buy anything for it.  Now I'll always think of my friend who gave me the frame, too.

Summer finally made it to this scrap house and my high maintenance children are home full time.  That means less time for crafts, typically, but I'll see if I can't change that.  I hope you all have a safe and happy summer.  Keep your kids busy and they will stay out of trouble.  Why not craft together?  When I do a cool project with my boys, I'll be sure to share it with you.