Monday 12 May 2014

GD: Keren Baker Project #2 Altered Frame

"Hi, Keren here with project #2. Today I wanted to do something different and took inspiration from the paper-cutting world. The skills these artists have are amazing; skills I don’t have, but with the beautiful Lynne Perrella designs and a good sharp craft knife, I could create something a little different".

I like to upcycle as much as possible. I had already decorated this frame but didn’t like it, so stripped all of the decorations off and sanded down the frame. It was a good old swedish store bought job. I couldn't take the photo without managing to get my silhouette in it!


By simply taping a piece of cream cardstock onto a self-healing mat, carefully cutting around the images, you can choose which elements to leave and which to remove. For elements that have no ‘anchor’(like the heart) I added little ‘struts’- that connect to the outer frame and so provided both structure and kept the element from being cut out. For delicate, intricate parts, press, rather than pull the blade. I experimented and loved the outcome and even survived without cutting any parts of my fingers off too! 


I then put this aside and got on with changing up the frame. Here’s the paints I used to create the effect on the frame.


I wanted an effect that didn’t include too much colour or it would detract from the intricacy of the papercutting. I had some black paint I’d already mixed with Snowflake, so thought I’d use that up rather than wasting it.


I wanted to use Crackle Glaze as I’d already tried this product and loved it. I did wish, however, that I’d watched Leandra’s video on how to use it FIRST! - ah well, I learnt plenty by trial and error, including the fact that Crackle Glaze is best used very sparingly for the best results. The frame looked a little bare so I stamped the pen image onto the matt side of some tissue paper with Tuxedo Black Memento Ink.


I trimmed the stamped images, being really careful (I ripped a few!!). Next I added a very thin layer of Snowflake onto the frame, carefully laying the images over them, and pressed them into the paint. You may get the odd wrinkle, but don’t try and smooth it out or you risk tearing the image. Once dry, the wrinkles will disappear (wish Snowflake worked on the wrinkles on my face!)
Finally, leave to dry before adding a thin layer of Metallic Glaze which gives a gorgeous sheen to the frame. I added a few buttons to the corners, and voila your frame is completed.


Now I just needed to use the old frame mount to position over the cut image, trace around and cut out.


And that’s it. I simply secured some bright cardstock behind the papercut image and adhered that to the mount so it wouldn’t slip. I wish I'd used a brighter colour for the background colour- but hindsight is a wonderful thing! The advantage of taking time over creating the frame is that I can change out the image when I get bored (which is quite often!!)

"Thanks for joining me today, I hope you’ll come back tomorrow for a project using some curtain offcuts"!

~Keren~ 

Leandra Says: That is such a cool idea. Love the papercutting technique and how you can easily select what to keep or not! That takes some serious patience though, and the grey/ white crackled frame looks wonderful!

Gillian Says: The crackled frame looks fab along with the bright pop of blue, love your altered frame, everything works so well in the overall composition.

If you would like to join in this week's challenge and play along with Liesbeth's techniques, then do link up your creativity here, and go in the draw to win some PA stamps of your choice! You need to link your entry by 17:00, Sunday May 18th 2014 

21 comments:

Helen said...

wow, Keren, this looks fabulous with the paper cutting... what a neat trick/technique! Love the crackled frame, too.

Unknown said...

Lovve that! Yeah you basically scrape CG straight back off lol. Learnt that one early on. My new phone may be a delay in playing along now tho :)

Paula Whittaker said...

loving your paper cutting...so neat!

Anonymous said...

Being decidedly thick, it took me a few minutes to work out what you meant by the paper cutting. But when the penny finally dropped, I was blown away, it looks so effective. It's a gorgeous project, I love the pens on the frame.

Carol Plume said...

What great paper cutting! Really like the effect, will have to give that a try.

Steven said...

Love it, great pieces

Unknown said...

What a great and effective idea, I bet it took hours to do all that cutting!

craftytrog said...

Fab frame Keren, I love the paper-cutting idea! xxx

Unknown said...

Fab idea hunni! xx

Lin said...

Fantastic idea Keren!! It looks brilliant...and I have just bought some frames in the sale lol!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Keren. Fab project! Wished I had your patience. Love the frame and paper cutting. Looking forward to your next piece of art! XXX

Lucy Edmondson said...

I absolutely love this, Keren. So original and striking. I am going to the Swedish store tomorrow so maybe I can pick up the same frame. Look forward to trying this,

Lucy x

massofhair said...

Very different style Keren, love the intricacy and detail of your project. You must have good knife skills and a lot of patience to create this, my hands wont't let me do something so delicate so won't be playing along with this one, sorry!

Beautiful frame and enjoy reading about you fun process lol :-) xxx

Julie Lee said...

Wow, Keren, this is such a great idea. I love the effect of the paper-cutting with this beautiful plate and it goes perfectly with the Crackle frame: I really hope I shall be able to play along with this one! Julie Ann xxx

Deborah Wainwright said...

This is fantastic Karen really love it. Took me a whole to work out what was being cut but I got there, and how effective it is too xxx

Sarah G said...

Such a cool project! Love the blue behind the images - you obviously have a much steadier cutting hand than me :)

~amy~ said...

What a gorgeous project! Love how Keren altered the frame and made it into a fabulous giftie!

Virginia L. said...

This is awesome! I love the framed art with your stamping and added buttons! Beautiful work, Keren!

craftimamma said...

Wonderful project Keren! Love the 'clean' look of blue & white with the pop of red. Seriously doubt my hands are up to the task of that delicate paper cutting though, lol!

Hugs
Lesley Xx

Unknown said...

Love the crackle frame, sold on this stamp, will be buying x

Kezzy said...

Wow awesome cutting to make a awesome frame, the cutting looks totally unique and the frame is gorgeous :-) Kezzy xxx