Antiqued Frame with DecoArt

I thought I'd share something a bit different today, in the form of a home decor/upcycling project. I created this altered frame for the DecoArt Blogger Outreach programme with some of a fantastic goodies they kindly sent me to try.

Creating faux metallic and aged effects is a favourite of mine and I thought the ornate style of this car boot find was asking to be transformed into an antique gilt frame, tarnished and worn by time.

I used the following DecoArt products:
- Media Black Gesso
- Dazzing Metallics Emperor's Gold
- Metallic Lustre Gold Rush
- Media Antiquing Cream Carbon Black

1 Like an idiot I forgot to take a pic of the frame before I started (*face palm*). Suffice to say it was a pretty ugly cheap resin frame I got at a car boot sale. To prime the frame, give it a coat of DecoArt Media black gesso. Use a hogs hair brush (not a smooth brush) if you can as it helps get the paint into the nooks and crannies.

2 Add a coat of Dazzling Metallics Emperor's Gold - I found one coat to be sufficient.

3 Once the metallic paint is dry, add a coat of Carbon Black Antiquing Cream (at which juncture my husband said, 'what was the point of that? You've just painted it black again', to which I replied 'wait for the magic')!

4 Even when fully dry the Antiquing Cream remains reactive. After it is fully dry (and you can speed it with a heat tool if required), wipe it back with a baby wipe or damp cloth. You can see the cream stays in the recesses giving a cool aged effect.

5 Having added shadows in the recesses, I now want to highlight the raised areas so I applied some Gold Rush Metallic Lustre with my finger. This product is like a gilding wax.

6 Finally, if any of your highlights are too bright or (like me) you got a bit too gung-ho with the lustre in places, dry brush some black gesso over to further antique the finish. As the Antiquing Cream isn't permanent. at this stage you will want to varnish your piece. The cream is water-reactive, so I'd recommend a spray varnish so you don't have to use a brush which could move the cream around as you work.

I haven't decided what to do with my frame yet, but as I recently started doing my family history I think it might end up being the home to some vintage photographs.

Hope you liked my tutorial today. Thanks for popping by.

Katy x

Sardine Shrine

I've been at the upcycling again today - inspired by a project I saw years ago by Gail Milburn (Efemera) which was made from a sardine tin. Advice suggests we feed our new doggie oily fish from time-to-time to make his coat shiny, so recently we've had sardine tins in the house - something we don't normally have because I think they are disgusting!!!

My make is a shrine to an inspirational woman and artist - the amazing Frida Kahlo. The stamp of Frida is by Stampotique - isn't she lovely? While conceiving this project I noticed that the current challenge at Our Creative Corner is Mexico Moods - so I used their moodboard, along with Frida's paintings, to inspire my colours.

I am entering lovely Frida into some challenges:

Our Creative Corner: Mexico Moods

Frilly and Funkie: Raise It Up (because the inside is layered with pieces of chipboard and it's literally raised up on a plinth!)

Simon Say Stamp Monday Challenge: Anything Goes

Here's a bit more info on how I made my piece for you.

My sardine tin is gessoed, then lightly coated with Viva Decor Terra Paste. Once dry I painted it a terracotta colour - reminiscent of Mexican pottery.

Inside the back of my shrine is a stamped skull (Tim Holtz) - linked to Frida's fascination with death. On top of this I built up a layer of stamped leaves and butterflies (Rubber Dance).

Frida Kahlo (Stampotique) is coloured with Distress Markers (her skin is darker on the piece - the light has bleached the colour a bit here). She has flowers in her hair (sprayed with Picked Raspberry Distress Spray), gemstone earrings and a butterfly and skull at her neck.

The stand is made of a cotton reel and a wood circle painted with DecoArt Metallic Paint in Gold (this paint is AMAZING - one coat and this coverage!) and aged with DecoArt Antiquing Cream in Black. The muse word is stamped onto card painted with the same Gold paint. The whole piece is finished with beads,

Finally a view of the side where you can see that I used the same method as for the base to create the golden wings and glued them to the back of the tin. I ran a length of lace all around the tin and added gold paint highlights with a dry brush. Frida is mounted inside on some layers of chipboard to bring her towards the front of the shrine.

I hope that my shrine is deserving of Frida - thanks for looking - I hope you like her.

Hope to see you soon,

Katy x

This isn't a DT make but my fave RD stamps still get a plug! I used these Rubber Dance stamps:

Twiggy Leaves

Antique Botanicals