Craft – Framed Floral Decoration for Autumn

Posted on August 6, 2013 by barbara

While out shopping in one of my local craft stores I saw these great framed floral decorations but I was shocked by the retail price, it was $29.99 (are they crazy?). So, I thought I can make a nicer one at a fraction of the price! (The photo above is the one I made!) I went back home to search in my floral supply box and I found some extra flowers from a previous fall project. I also found two wonderful frames that were perfect to use, I had picked them up in the clearance aisle of my local craft last year for $4 each, they were a little more ornate than the store-bought inspiration piece but I actually like them better. The only thing I needed to get started on this project was a small floral foam, I found one for $2.50 and was able to cut it in half to make two framed floral decorations.

So, if you are keeping track of my cost for this project, it totals out to $10.50. Divided by the two framed floral decorations it was $5.25 for each one. Now, that is much better price than the original ones I saw at the craft store!! To make your own framed floral decorations, please see the supply list and easy instructions found below.

Framed Floral Decoration – supplies for one

1 frame, any size (the frame’s glass and backing are not used for this project)
1 floral foam, size it determined by the size of the frame
Floral tape
Flowers, number of flowers needed is determined by the size of the frame
Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks

Framed Floral Decoration – instructions for one

1. Select a frame to use, remove the frame’s glass or picture backing, you will not need them for this craft project. Frames can be any size with an opening from a smaller size of 5 X 7” to a larger 10 X 13”. (I am using frames with a 5 X 7” opening)

2. Use a piece of floral foam and cut a notch to fit on the frame.

3. Then using floral tape, secure the foam to the frame. (Originally I was going to hot glue the foam directly to the frame, but I decided to use floral tape instead because I didn’t want to harm the frame in case I wanted to recycle it for another project!)

4. Hot glue Spanish moss or shredded grass to cover the foam.

5. Insert flowers and other decorations into the floral foam. Be sure that the back of the arrangement is relatively flat because this side will be going against the wall when it is hung.

The final photo shows the framed floral decorations that I created for the upcoming Fall season and I think they look great! As you can see from the difference of the second photo and the final photo, I decided to add some large fall leaves that I had in my floral box. I think it gives the framed floral decoration a little more “presence” and the pair look wonderful hanging on our dining room wall. This craft idea can be used for any season throughout the year, just use flowers or decorations that are appropriate for the particular holiday.

Craft – Seashell embellished mirror

Posted on July 30, 2013 by barbara

When I was shopping in a retail store last year I found a great mirror which was framed with pieces of wood that reminded me of driftwood the is found on the beach. We had just come back from a trip to the North Carolina coast where we had brought back numerous seashells that we found on the beach. I decided to accent this relatively plain mirror with the seashells to hang in our downstairs bathroom. Craft Note: The key to this design is to build the layers slowly; test several different arrangements of shells until you are pleased with the result, then secure the shells with hot-glue.

Step one –

I started embellishing the mirror with ten large scallop shells. I placed them evenly along the border, setting the orange ones on the corners and the white ones along the straight edges. When I decided it was the right arrangement, the shells were hot-glue the seashells into place.

Step two –

Next, I added twelve clam shells to the mirror and placed them evenly between each of the scallop shells. Once again, when I decided it was the right arrangement, the shells were hot-glued the seashells into place.

Step three –

This final step involves using several different types of shells, I used smaller scallop shells and a variety of small and large starfish. The idea is to fill in all the remaining spaces along the border of the mirror. My design style tends to be symmetrical; this is the most pleasing to my eye. So, I evenly spaced the seashells around the edges, making sure to match the different varieties of seashells from side to side and top to bottom. When I decided everything was placed in the right arrangement, the shells were hot-glued.

This beautiful seashell embellished mirror now hangs in our downstairs bathroom against a lovely blue wall.

Craft – Embellished Photo Frames

Posted on July 11, 2013 by barbara

Shopping in the local retail stores I always admire the fancy embellished frames but the prices are usually a little expensive. In this craft post, I will show you how to take a simple and inexpensive plain frame and with a few simple steps you can have great looking embellished frame at very little cost. Here is a list of some items that are needed:

Embellished Photo Frame – supplies

An inexpensive plain frame
1 or 2 simple small items (these are determined by the subject of the photos)
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Paint or stain (optional)

Embellished Photo Frame – insturctions

Select a simple plain frame, size is determined by the photo you will be using.
Remove the backing and glass from the frame.
(Optional) If you are using an unfinished wood frame, now is the time to paint or stain the frame.
Determine placement of the embellishment items on the front of the frame.
Once you have decided on the position of the item, attach it with hot glue.
Add glass, photo and backing to frame.

Here are some examples of frames that I have done for our home:

This first embellished frame is one of my favorites. The silver painted frame with bronze trim has a picture of my mother-in-law holding a picture of my husband when he was a baby. In the small bronze oval frame attached is the baby photo of my husband. This is a fun way to highlight the photo she is holding.

The next embellished frame started out as a plain white frame. Using painter’s tape, I taped off sections and painted three colors, blue, green and purple on the frame edge. Then I added a wooden prepainted “friends” to a photo taken at our daughter’s recent backlight party. The colors go great in her colorful bedroom and sits on her desk.

In another embellished frame, I added a silver metal crown to the top of a silver frame. The photo I used was our daughter wearing her princess costume from Halloween a couple of years ago. I thought it was a cute way to match the photo with the embellishment.

The next embellishment is a simple wooden frame with a palm tree embellishment, the photo of our daughter was taken in Hawaii and I thought the palm tree was a good idea.

The next two embellished photos hang in our upstairs hallway. The first is a large frame with a photo of our daughter and in the corner is attached cut-out hand print that she did in kindergarten. The second is another large frame with her First Communion photo and in the corner I attached the silver cross that my mother had bought for her when she was born.

The final two embellished photos are a little more complicated. The first one is a wooden photo frame that resembles driftwood and I glued several seashells that we collected on the beach in North Carolina. Inside the frame is a photo of our daughter at the lifeguard station at the same beach. The second one is another wooden frame and at the four corners of the frame I glue more of the seashells. Inside the frame I created a heart shape with several fragments of seashells collected from the same trip.

I hope this gives you some ideas for creating some of your own embellished photo frames!

Craft – Picture Frame Tray

Posted on May 30, 2013 by barbara

While shopping at a local craft store, I always enjoy the aisle with the decorative drawer pulls and knobs. There are so many beautiful ones but these items can be a little pricey if you are planning on replacing several of the existing ones on the various furniture pieces or the cabinets in a kitchen or bathroom of your home. I wondered if I could use the drawer pulls and knobs for a simple craft project that required just a few supplies and I decided to create a picture frame tray. I had a picture frame that I had previously purchased but was not currently using and the size was perfect to use for a tray.. Now I had an excuse to return to the craft store to purchase several drawer pulls and knobs which happened to be on sale!

Picture Frame Tray – supplies

Wooden picture frame, a minimum size of 8×10 or larger frames are preferred
Picture mat with no openings (other options to use: scrapbook paper or fabric)
2 decorative drawer pulls
4 decorative drawer knobs
Screws for each drawer pull or knob, be sure the length of the screws in the correct size
Drill, to make the holes
Screwdriver, to attach the hardware
Epoxy glue (optional – for the drawer knobs)

Important things to consider before starting this craft project:

Determine the correct size of the screws being used to attach the hardware. Specifically the drawer knobs that are attached to the bottom of the picture frame, they should be the correct length for the thickness of the frame but should not go all the way through the frame. (we wound up drilling the holes, then cut the screw down and used epoxy glue to attach them to the frame)

Determine what type of “mat” that will be used for the picture frame. There are several options to consider. One is a traditional style picture mat but with no openings, just a solid surface. The other choices are more decorative, such as: scrapbook paper, wrapping paper or fabric. Be aware of the thickness of the “mat” and allow room for glass and backing to be replaced into the picture. (I used a fabric remnant for my tray)
Before replacing the glass and the backing of the picture frame, determine if you want to add other elements to the tray, such as: photos, decorative trim for the edges, etc. If you choose to add any of these elements, now is the time to decide on their arrangement on the tray.

Picture Frame Tray – instructions

To protect the work surface, cover the area with newspaper or old towels.

Remove the glass and backing from the picture frame.
Determine where the drawer pulls and knobs will be positioned and mark the positions with a pencil.
Drill all the holes at one time before attaching the hardware to the frame.
Starting on the front of the frame, attach the drawer pulls. The drawer pulls will act as decorative handles for carrying the tray. (for my tray, the screws needed to be cut down shorter, my husband sawed off the excess length)
Next, flip the frame over to the back, attach the four drawer knobs first to each corner of the frame. The drawer knobs elevate the picture frame and act as decorative stands for the tray. (for my tray, my husband cut down the screw length with a saw and we decided to epoxy glue the knobs into place)
Now is the time to add any additional decorative elements to the “mat”, such as: photos, trim, etc. before replacing the glass, “mat” and the backing into the frame. (for my tray, I decide to use a fabric remnant)

Design Tip: The fabric or paper in the tray can be changed out seasonally or if there is a special event photos can be added or changed to fit the occasion. Some examples would be Christmas wrapping paper during the holiday season, photos of Mom and the family for Mother’s Day, etc.

The picture frame tray would make a wonderful gift for family and friends. It would also make a great housewarming present. The gift can be customized to match any style and color.

Craft – Childhood Handprints

Posted on May 9, 2013 by barbara

Mother’s day is coming up this month and here is an easy and inexpensive craft project to do with the kids to create a very sentimental Mother’s Day gift. This idea is also a great gift idea for Father’s Day, Grandparent’s Day or Christmas.

Children handprints, especially when they are very young, always make interesting art work for a home. When children are at the preschool or kindergarten age their hands are very small and they make excellent tools for these simple art projects.

Follow these simple steps for a perfect handprint craft/art project.

Before starting this craft project, be sure to assemble all the materials that you will need. I used both acrylic black and brown paint for several sets of handprints. (I wasn’t sure which color I wanted to use so I took a couple of sets in each different color so that I would have more options to decide from when I did this project with my daughter)
You will also need a paint brush to apply the paint onto the palm of the child’s hand.
A very important tip when making handprints and using paint is to cover the work area completely with newspaper or a plastic tablecloth. Another tip is to use an inexpensive apron to cover you and the child’s clothing while taking the handprints or another inexpensive solution is an oversized t-shirt, just be sure it is one that can be thrown out if it gets too much paint. Position the work space within easy reach of a sink with running water and have paper towels on hand for spills and clean-up. These simple steps will keep the project from getting too messy and therefore the clean-up time will be kept to a minimum.
For this particular craft project pre-select a poem to use with the handprints. The internet is a good source to find an appropriate poem, do a search for “handprint poem” and select one that you like. Center the poem near the top of the page to allow enough room at the bottom for the handprints. Be sure to include the name of the child and the year the handprint was taken. Print several copies from a computer. (I recommend at least four copies to start, this should be enough to allow for mistakes and to get at least one set of good handprints)
Before starting the project take the time to explain to the child what will happen during the handprint process, children tend to cooperate more if they know what to expect. A simple trick to taking good handprints is for the child to relax their hands and not roll their fingers into a ball. This can be a very messy process if you have to move their fingers into a straight position.
An important tip when taking handprints is to use a minimum amount of paint to create smudge-free prints. Place the palm of the hand near the wrist down first and then place the fingers slowly down on the paper. Once the hand is completely placed, gently press down on all the areas of the hand with equal pressure for an even print. Rest the hand for a moment and then lift straight up, this trick will help to eliminate smudges. After you get a good handprint of the first hand move onto the second hand.
After the both handprints are taken, allow it to dry for at least 24 hours. Once the handprint is completely dry.

Please check out last month’s Craft post, Zoo Animal HandPrints, for another fun craft project using children’s handprints.

The Enchanted Manor

a lifestyle blog by Barbara Jones

Category Archives: Craft

Craft – Framed Floral Decoration for Autumn

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Craft – Seashell embellished mirror

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Craft – Embellished Photo Frames

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Craft – Picture Frame Tray

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Craft – Childhood Handprints

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