Graphic45 Altered Frame

Graphic45 does not often give us assigned projects. Normally, the Design Team is free to create whatever we feel moved to create. But, now and again, Charee gives us a task and for June she asked us to use the Graphic45 Metal Door Plate Staples for one of our projects. I made an altered page layout to be used as a wall hanging, but it was picked up for publication {yay!}, which meant I had to make something else to show on the blog! I decided to alter a wooden frame.

I purchased a cheap wooden frame at the craft store and painted the edges with Ranger Distress Stains, then covered it with Grahic45 Le Cirque paper.

Once the frame was ready, I attached the door plate and knob (which I also altered, see tutorial below) and tons of flowers.

I typed the scripture on the computer and printed it out on cream cardstock. It's the perfect scripture to use with a door knob!

I altered Graphic45 Metal Flower and Button Staples and tucked them in with the flowers.

I also cut apart a branch that had butterflies on it. I used the branches down the left side of the frame and tucked butterflies here and there on the project.

Tutorial

To alter the metal embellishments, collect the following supplies:

• Metal embellishments, such as Graphic45 Metal Flowers, Metal Buttons, Geometric Metal Door Plate and Knob
• Making Memories Acrylic Paint - Shopping Bag
• Cosmic Shimmer Iridescent Mica Pigments - Dark Bronze
• Aqua-net hairspray (used as a fixative)
• Foam brush
• Soft paint brush
• Pliers (to shape the flowers) 

I wanted to alter the metal to have an bronze finish.

You alter all of the metal the same way, but here I'll show you how to do the flowers.

1. If you are altering the Graphic45 Metal Flowers, you may first shape the flowers using pliers to bend the metal. Do this before altering.

 

2. Paint a thin layer of acrylic paint over the metal. Work quickly as you do not want the paint to dry. You may want to allow some of the original metal to show through.

3. While the paint is still wet, dust mica powder over the paint. The powder will stick to the paint, giving a metal shimmer.

4. Once the paint is dry, set the mica powder with a fixative. I use Aqua-net hairspray. It's cheap and works great!

Here is an altered flower next to one that is not altered. You can see the difference that bending the petals and adding the mica powder makes! You are limited to only the colors of paint and powder you use!

Here is a close-up view of some of the flowers and a meal button, all altered with paint and mica powder. To alter the mulberry paper flowers, mist with water, then dust on Pearlescent Mica Powder.

I hope you get a chance to play with some of the Graphic45 Metal Staples!
 

Supply List:

Frame: Michael's Craft Store

Designer paper: Graphic45 Le Cirque Magnifique
Cardstock: Stampin' Up Very Vanilla
Flowers: Kaisercraft, Wild Orchid Crafts
Leaves: Wild Orchid Crafts
Branch: Recollections Mulberry Paper Butterfly Vine
Paint: Making Memories Acrylic Paint (Shopping Bag), Cosmic Shimmer Acrylic Drawing Ink (Rich Gold), Ranger Distress Stain (Vintage Photo)
Mica powder: Cosmic Shimmer Iridescent Mica Pigments (Pearlescent, Dark Bronze)
Metal embellishments: Graphic45 Metal Flowers, Metal Buttons, Geometric Metal Door Plate and Knob
Adhesive: Liquid glue. Glue Dots, tape runner
Brads: unknown

Tools: Brayer, pliers