THE ALTERED FLEA: photo frames

Showing posts with label photo frames. Show all posts

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Crafting with a View of the Pacific Ocean Blue

Ahhhh--vacation! We work so diligently immediately before and right after

a getaway, but it's all worth it for the change of scenery, relaxation and...

uninterrupted craft time!

We spent one glorious week, with family friends, enjoying Laguna Beach.

If you've been there, you know how beautiful the Pacific Ocean water

shimmers under the bright hot sun.

We hoped for some nice, cool ocean breezes,

given the relentless heatwave Southern California has been experiencing.

It was a "mild" 90', which was, at least, cooler than the 108' at home.

We enjoyed early morning walks at low tide,

beautiful views while sipping on a chocolate banana shake

overlooking Crystal Cove,

The Shake Shack

simmering sunsets

and crafting with friends!

That's right. No vacation is complete without a trunk full of craft supplies.

Hey, if he gets to bring his boogie board, I get to bring my crafts.

One day, we moms got together on the large patio.

We altered shadowbox photo frames with, of course,

a BEACH theme!

It was so much fun sharing my crafting obsession with the girls.

Here's my finished shadowbox frame:

I love how the contrasting sepia photo with the brightly-colored photo frame

and the coordinating banner tucked underneath the glass.

Additionally, my husband encouraged me to take a collage class

with a well-known Laguna artist.

She taught us technique, color and composition.

Here is my first-ever genuine collage:

It was a fun week. Of course, the days flew by.

We're already looking forward to next year's beach vacation.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

fun in the sun

College Graduation - check! So both girls have now graduated, one from high school, and one from college. It's been a busy week full of smiles and photo ops. What now you ask? SUMMERTIME!

What better way to kick off summer than with May Arts' Back to the Beach contest. [This is a re-post from June 2011.]

May Arts provided the ribbon, and I chose an aqua, yellow and tan color combination as the basis of my project. Here is the finished plaque:

And here are photos of the creative process with a brief tutorial.

Paint outside edge of the plaque with "Bahama Blue" acrylic paint [by Americana].

Let dry. Cover area with painter's tape.

Paint inner edge with "Bleached Sand", creating a picture mat effect.

While paint is still wet, CAREFULLY remove painter's tape.

[Ignore the messy center because that will be covered with paper.]

Mod Podge paper to inside portion of the plaque. [photo not available]

My favorite part: Embellishments!

Ruched flower using two different May Arts ribbon

Looped ribbon, adhered to back of acrylic photo frame;

Chipboard letters, ribbon

More ribbon tied to hanging wire

Ribbon and sand dollar attached to letter "n"

Close-up of ribbon combo

A lot more ribbon, flip flops,

suntan lotion and seahorse charms pocketed in loops

Flowers made with ribbon and buttons

Insert photo and Voila!

Now grab your towel and meet us at the beach

so you can create your own beach memories.

Sharing here:

Positively Splendid

THE CSI Project Life at the Beach Challenge

Katherine's Blog Hop

Paisley Passions

the36thAvenue

Someday Crafts

Whatever-goes-wednesday

Friday, May 20, 2011

Pomp & Circumstance

Pomp & circumstance...and a cupful of [happy] tears! Yes, it's graduation season. Whether your child is graduating from kindergarten or college, it's an emotional time for us Moms. Where did the years go? Wasn't she just starting to crawl? walk? talk? ride a bike? sneak out of the house wearing make-up? borrow the car keys? go off to college? Quick -- hand me the Valium!

Thanks. I feel much better now. Actually, the best Rx for times like this is

CREATIVE THERAPY!

Here is the first in a series of graduation projects I would like to share, beginning with a photo frame.

Here is the before-and-after picture.