Preview Book

This book is not a DIY of framing and frame
making – it is brimful of ideas, showing you how
to refinish, recycle and re-use old frames, and
how to embellish frame blanks to best display
your photographs, pictures and other items. It is
dedicated to easy and unusual frames to be used
in and around the house, for everything from
miniature perfume bottles to a large blackboard
for a nursery. You will find instructions for very
basic frame construction from scratch, as well as
loads of information on finishing techniques for
frame blanks and ways to repurpose old frames.
This book will guide you to think out of the box
and move beyond wood and mitred corners.
Learn to make frames using polystyrene cornices,
polymer clay, magazine pages, leather off-cuts, card
stock and wadding, wire, fabric, rulers, a discarded
bicycle tyre and other findings and decorating
materials as diverse as discarded teabags and
gold leaf. Also included are frames that are both
decorative and functional, acting as organisers for
anything from scarves to notes and memos.
Filled with practical hints and tips, illustrated with
step-by-step photographs and boasting beautiful
pictures of more than 60 completed frames, this
book contains everything you need to fill your
home with eye-catching creative frames.
Fransie Snyman has written more than 10 craft
books, several of which have had international
editions. Working as a science teacher, she escapes
to her crafts whenever her busy schedule allows.
Although jewellery making is her first love, she
loves paper and has always made her own greeting
cards and gift boxes. She belongs to several craft
groups and is a popular teacher and demonstrator
at expos and other events.
193 x 260 mm • 128 pp • Softcover • RRP: R220.00 • APR 2016 • ISBN 978-1-928201-72-4
Beskikbaar in Afrikaans: Rame by dosyne ISBN 978-1-928201-73-1
C1111111D
FRAMES GALORE
Upcycle or make your own – more than 60 projects
Fransie Snyman
CONTENTS
Introduction............................................................. 6
Practical hints and tips........................................9
Tools and materials............................................. 10
Framed chalkboard............................................. 12
Canvas with lace.................................................. 68
Three-panelled frame......................................... 14
Canvas with braid............................................... 70
Fit for a mandala.................................................. 16
Louvre door frame............................................... 71
Box frame with lace............................................. 18
Canvas with frame cut-out...............................72
Faux leather finish.............................................. 20
Bakers’ twine frames..........................................74
Black and white cluster.....................................22
Twisted log frame.................................................76
Plank collective.....................................................23
Musical frame ......................................................77
Pastel miniatures.................................................24
Car frame.................................................................78
Multiframes on canvas......................................26
Flowers and squares.......................................... 80
Cutlery drawer frame.........................................28
Magazine-straw frame.......................................82
Champagne cork frame.....................................30
Silver heart............................................................. 84
Organic cardboard inset...................................32
Frame your scarves.............................................86
Clown collection...................................................34
Message board.......................................................88
Black chalkboard on silver.............................. 35
Round frame with small roses...................... 90
Leather off-cut frames........................................36
Mosaic magic..........................................................92
Canvases rule!........................................................38
Classic pewter....................................................... 94
Christmas wreath................................................39
Tea bag frame.........................................................96
Sewing-pattern boxes........................................ 40
Vintage frame........................................................98
Hair accessory organiser..................................42
Padded fabric frame......................................... 100
Vintage wheel........................................................ 44
Glass memo and photo board.......................102
A ladder of frames................................................46
Playful washi frame......................................... 104
Mirror image double-frame.............................48
Framed paper squares......................................106
Floating frame.......................................................50
Polystyrene cornice frame ............................108
Weathered pallet frame.....................................52
Square gold frame with colour burst........ 110
Dramatic red, black and silver.......................54
Geometric frame................................................. 112
Clothes pegs on wire...........................................56
Mixed media frame .......................................... 114
Fire screen...............................................................58
Cardboard with thong and beads............... 116
Spatters and dots .................................................59
Burglar bar frame...............................................119
Gold-foiled frame................................................. 60
Welded steel frame........................................... 120
Mini frames for perfume miniatures.........62
Window frame.....................................................122
Framed pin cushions .........................................63
Brooch frames......................................................124
Mini frames on a big frame............................ 64
Stamp collection frame...................................126
Pearls and ribbon.................................................66
Handkerchiefs on canvas...............................128
18
Box frame with lace
This crocheted clutch bag has special sentimental value and the vintage finish on the
frame complements it well. Adding an old carved frame makes the content of the frame
really pop. The glass front was removed for the sake of the photograph – including it will
help preserve the framed item.
WHAT YOU NEED
Box frame blank
Paint
Paintbrush
Lace
Podge
Scrapbook paper
Scissors
Glue runner
Special item to frame
1. Paint the outer frame and the outside of the box, applying at
least two layers of paint and allowing the paint to dry completely
between layers.
2. Measure the lace exactly and cut to size for the four sides,
allowing for the mitred corners to ensure a neat finish.
3. Apply podge to the frame, one side at a time, and position the
lace to align with the inside edge, paying special attention to
the corners.
4. Apply another layer of podge to the entire outside frame and
allow to dry.
Glue dots
5. Cut the scrapbook paper to size to cover the inside of the box
and glue down with glue runner.
Thin frame (same size as the
inside edge of the box frame)
6. Place the special item into the box, securing it with glue dots.
Craft glue
7. Adhere the thin frame to the inside edge of the outer frame
using craft glue.
8. Adhere the completed outer frame to the box using craft glue.
22
35
Black and white cluster
Black chalkboard on silver
Scrapbook embellishments are widely available and can be put to good use when you want
to add a special touch to a plain frame. Here a simple coat of paint and a number of beer
matting scrolls and corner decorations in black and white did the trick. Using a blank with
an off-centre aperture adds interest.
Small silver-finished serving plates and tiny silver-finished trays were given a coat of
black chalkboard paint inside to turn them into interesting frames for messaging and
photographs in a collage. The words can be changed regularly, as can the photographs and
pictures to create an entirely new look.
WHAT YOU NEED
1. Paint the frames black and white.
WHAT YOU NEED
3 wooden frame blanks
2. Decide which embellishments you want to use for which
frame, and paint them in the opposite colour. Use a thin brush
and work carefully to obtain a neat finish.
Small plates (silver finish)
Craft paint (black and white)
Paintbrushes
Beer matting embellishments
Craft glue
Podge (optional)
3. Try different placements before gluing them down.
Also consider repeating parts of a pattern, like I did with the
bigger frame.
4. Once you have determined their positions, adhere the
embellishments with craft glue.
5. You can cover the frames with a layer of podge to further
secure the embellishments.
Mini trays (silver finish)
Black chalkboard paint
Paintbrush
Chalk
Printed photographs or
pictures to fit the trays
Double-sided tape
1. Apply a coat of chalkboard paint to the inside of the plates and
the rays, working very carefully to keep neat edges. Allow to dry
and repeat with another layer.
2. Write a message of your choice on the plates.
3. Adhere the pictures to the mini trays using double-sided tape
for a three-dimensional look.
4. Arrange the plates and trays in an attractive collage and
attach using double-sided tape.
40
Sewing-pattern boxes
My mother used to make our clothes when we were little and passed her sewing patterns
on to me. Some of these were not practical, but I just love the pattern covers and thought
that special frames to preserve them would look lovely in my sewing room. Old pattern
pieces worked like a charm for decoupage.
WHAT YOU NEED
3 wood canvases
Paintbrush
Beige chalkboard paint
Old sewing patterns – pieces
and envelopes
Podge
1. Paint the wooden canvas and allow to dry. There is no need for
a second coat of paint as the canvases will be decoupaged.
2. Tear old pattern pieces into smaller pieces.
3. Apply podge to the canvas and cover it inside out with pattern
pieces, taking special care to neaten the corners.
4. Apply a final coat of podge over the entire canvas and
allow to dry.
5. Apply podge to the centre of the canvas, place a pattern
envelope over the podge and smooth out any air bubbles that
may have formed.
6. Apply two layers of podge over the envelope and surrounding
area, allowing to dry completely between layers.
56
Clothes pegs on wire
This frame can be made in no time at all, and will make a lovely gift. Choose the colours
of your beads and washi tape according to the photographs or the wall that will host the
frame. You can clip photographs to the inside or the outside of the circle by simply turning
around the clothes peg.
WHAT YOU NEED
1. Bend the wire into a circle.
Wire
Wooden clothes pegs
2. Decorate wooden clothes pegs with washi tape in various
designs and apply one layer of podge over the tape.
Round wooden beads
3. String wooden beads onto the wire.
Washi tape
Podge
4. Attach a clothes peg between two beads and repeat until the
entire wire circle is covered.
Paintbrush
5. Hook the two wire ends around each other to close the ring.
6. Attach your photos on the inside and outside of the wire ring.
Turn the pegs accordingly.
82
Magazine-straw frame
A wooden blank with an off-centre aperture is decorated with multi-coloured straws made
from magazine pages. This not only results in a striking frame, but is also an excellent way
to recycle old magazines.
WHAT YOU NEED
1. Paint the frame black and allow to dry.
A wooden blank frame with
an off-centre aperture
2. Tear out magazine pages with lots of colour on them and cut
them into strips of about 10 cm wide.
Paintbrush
3. Fold one corner of a strip over the skewer. Hold the skewer at
an angle of about 60 degrees.
Craft paint – black
Magazine
Wooden skewer
Craft glue or a glue runner
4. Start rolling the strip of paper tightly around the skewer and
adhere it at the end with glue runner or craft glue.
Podge
5. Remove the skewer and repeat until you have enough straws
to cover the whole frame.
Photo
6. Apply craft glue to the frame to secure the straws to the frame.
7. Start by forming an edge with the straws and then place the
rest of the straws to fill in the frame.
8. If you need to adjust the lengths of the straws, apply glue to
the frame and position the straws before you cut them, otherwise
se the straws will unroll.
9. Cover the entire frame with a layer of podge to secure the
straws and strengthen the paper. Work carefully so that you do
not crush the straws.
126
Stamp collection frame
Both my dad and my husband are keen stamp collectors and they inspired this frame,
which will look lovely in a study. You should not use valuable stamps on or inside this
frame. It really is for display purposes only and not worth risking relationships for!
WHAT YOU NEED
Shadow box frame with
several compartments
Black craft paint
Paintbrush
Lots of general stamps
for the outer frame
Podge
Stamps to display in the
compartments (striking
and colourful rather
than valuable)
Podge
Double-sided foam tape
Red cord
Craft glue
1. Paint the inner frame and the inside edge of the outer frame
black and allow to dry completely.
2. Apply podge to the outer frame, leaving the groove open,
and cover it with stamps, overlapping as required to ensure
neat corners and all-over cover. The best way to work with
the stamps is to apply podge, position the stamps more or less
where you want them, then “paint” them into the podge with the
paintbrush. Work with small sections at a time so that the podge
does not dry before you have time to place the stamps.
3. Apply another coat of podge over all the stamps and allow to
dry completely.
4. Apply craft glue to the groove around the inside edge and
press the red cord onto the groove, making neat corners and
joining the ends neatly in one corner.
5. Place double-sided foam centrally on the backs of the stamps
you wish to display.
6. Attach the stamps to the inside compartments.
7. To protect the stamps, place the glass between the frame and
its box before you adhere them with wood glue.