Numbered Frame Project

I wanted to do something with numbers, frames, burlap and Mod Podge, so...

 I gave myself a challenge to see what I could do and this is what I came up with.

This project is fairly easy, but it took quite a bit of drying time, so if you plan to do 

this project you will need to plan ahead.  Here are the pics and how the project came along.

Other than the supplies listed above, I used scrapbook paper, pages from my

hymnal, 2 frames (one smaller than the other)- I used a silver frame and a 

black frame, white spray paint, acrylic paints, twine, my trusty Tim Holtz 

embellishments, heavy duty crafting glue (E6000) and 

an exacto knife and self-healing cutting mat.

Take the back off of the largest frame.

While that is drying, I moved on to the spray painting.

Make sure you are in a ventilated area (like outside).

While that was drying, I starting tearing the papers that I wanted.

Torn edges give it a nicer look than cut edges.  For the layers that

I knew would be covered, there was no need to tear the pages, though.

This is the frame after all of the papers were Mod Podged on.

Believe it or not, even after this dried, my spray painted 

frame was STILL not dry!

I wanted it to have a shabby chic look, so I added paint.... but, I did not Mod Podge the

top layers because I wanted the paint to be able to stick to the paper.  In doing this, you will need to

work fast though... otherwise the paper will absorb the paint (giving you less time to work).

I added a cream color as the base and then applied some teal color streaks 

here and there.  I definitely wanted my numbers to show through, so I made sure 

that I worked quickly in the areas where the numbers were.  

I had a hymnal page number at the top of the frame that I wanted to 

show through and there was also the number 17 at the bottom.

You can see both of those here.

And of course I wanted my hymnal pages to show!

I made some outlines of the frame here and there with more acrylic paint.

Next, I had to layer some papers to create the center portion of the piece.

By this time, my (smaller) white frame was dry, so I brushed on an acrylic color that I liked.

Here it is stacked together and wrapped in twine. 

It is at this point that you may need to take the stand from the back of

your smaller frame so you can adhere it to the burlap (on the larger frame).

Add a "healthy portion" of E6000 or whatever your 

trusted heavy-duty crafting glue is.

Hold it down and let it dry. (Make sure the paint from the frame is 

completely dry before you do this, or it will make a mess)!  ;-)

Here it is sitting up... all finished!

Once you feel confident that it is dry and well adhered, hang it 

in your favorite spot on the wall and enjoy!

I hope this inspires you to challenge yourself to use materials that

you love, but may have stashed away!  Use what you love!

Please leave me a comment and tell me what you think!

I would absolutely {L O V E} to hear from you!

.... and if you have an extra minute, I would {L O V E} for you to 

join my site through email or Google Friend (on the sidebar)!

Until next time, be blessed!

:-) Tonya

* P.S. - I linked this post to Tatertots and Jello (Weekend Wrap Up Party) and Funky Junk Interiors

and I heart} Nap Time and Twigg Studios and {nifty thrifty sunday #69} and Flamingo Toes (Think Pink) and Destination Craft and Keeping it Simple Crafts and Adventures of a DIY Mom and

Ginger Snap Crafts and In the Old Road

Making a Birdhouse with a Book

I can't take credit for this idea...  

I saw a version close to it at a local art walk last weekend.  I made some changes to it 

(actually, I made a lot of changes...)!  The one I saw used a book for the roof and that's about 

all I kept the same.  I think they used wood for the rest of the house.  I chose to use heavy 

cardboard so it would be light. 

 I plan to use it in my (future) classroom.  

You can see that I incorporated a clothespin! In the classroom, I plan to clip notes there.

So, here are the pictures and how I did it.  

I hope this inspires you to make a project like this from recycled books.

First, I gathered my materials... a book with a lot of ripped pages inside, my paper cutter, Tim Holtz embellishments (of course!), scrapbook paper, scissors, Mod Podge, heavy cardboard (I used a box), a tiny clothespin :-), a large button (from my friend Leigh), a hot glue gun, spanish moss and floral moss.

I cut a template of the front (and back) of the house from white paper and then used it to cut the front 

and back from cardboard.  I then cut the scrapbook paper and Mod Podged it to the cardboard.  

I used a page from the book to Mod Podge to the backside so it would match the book on the top.

After cutting the side walls and covering them with paper, I hot glued the walls

 together and then I hot glued the book to the top.  To hide the "seams", I added the spanish moss 

and floral moss.  Then I added the embellishments like little rhinestones scattered here and there and the Tim Holtz embellishment for the "house number".  I added my tiny clothespin to hold my messages and I added some Spanish moss behind my beautiful button.  Finally, I added a ruler sticker (Tim Holtz) to the bottom to give it more of a classroom look (and because rulers have numbers on them...  and of course you know that I love numbers!)

See the message on the ruler, "Property of Board of Education  City of New York"

View of back with the page from the book.

Side View

This is the book I used.

I love how it turned out! 

So, what do YOU do with old books that have ripped pages?

Don't throw them away.... recycle them for a project!

I hope this inspired you to think of ways to recycle old books.

Please leave me a comment to let me know what you think.

I would really like to hear from you.

If you return to visit my blog, I would {L-O-V-E} for you to become a follower.

Until next time, 

:-) Tonya

* P.S. - I linked this post to Nifty Thrifty and Twigg Studios and 

Think Pink Sundays at Flamingo Toes and I {heart} Nap Time and Keeping It Simple Crafts and 

Destination: Craft and Tip Junkie and Ginger Snap Crafts and The Shabby Creek Cottage 

and Fine Craft Guild

This post was FEATURED on Destination: Craft

Pencil Holder (from Salvation Army Find)

Okay, I picked up the small box that I found from the Salvation Army... remember it from a previous post? 

Anyway, I decided to make it into a pencil holder.  So, here are the pictures of the process.

I gathered my materials... Mod Podge, paper cutter, Tim Holtz embellishments, 

jute, burlap, scrapbook paper, and of course.... the box!

This is the bottom of the box, but I will use it as the side.

I think this was a small drawer for jewelry before it found its way to

the Salvation Army.  I am going to turn it upright for my project.

I measured my paper and cut it in a strip to fit around the box.  

To make it easier to Mod Podge, I folded the paper around the box 

first so when the time comes to wrap it, it will go on with ease.  

The blue flowered paper you see is actually the backside of the 

paper I am planning to use.  

When I applied the Mod Podge, I sponged it on the box rather than the paper.

I do this because if it is on the paper, it makes it more difficult to make adjustments once 

I lay the paper onto the box.  Also, applying the Mod Podge to the box prevents the 

paper from having wet spots go through (which will cause tears in the paper).

Once that is on, I cut a small rectangle from my second paper choice.

Then I cut an even smaller rectangle from burlap.  I pulled a thread from

each side of the burlap to make it have a fringed look.

Then I took the jute and put it in the holes of my embellishment so 

that the jute would be on the underside of the embellishment.

Once the jute was on the numbered metal plate embellishment, I wrapped it 

around the box and tucked the knot under the embellishment so it would

not be seen.  I applied Mod Podge on the jute (not on the embellishment)

and the burlap and paper once again to make sure it would stay in place.

After that, I wanted to hide the blue inside, so I cut more paper to

fit inside and Mod Podged it into place.

On the inside that would be seen from the front, I applied the same paper that 

I used as the accent paper on the front.  I thought this would make it tie in nicely.

It it still drying here, but you get the idea.

Once, it is dry, add your pencils and pens and display on your desk.

There it is!  

I hope this inspires you to find unconventional items

and transform them into items you love.

Please leave me a comment to let me know what you think.

Until next time, be blessed!

:-)  Tonya

* P.S. - I linked this post to Tip Junkie and {Primp} and Full Circle Creations.

My entry into Thursdays are YOUR Days at 52 Mantels is sponsored by Appliances Online and their Best Freezers!