I love using barn board for craft projects, and although this frame didn’t have any glass, I knew I could create a scrapbook layout and decoupage it, so the lack of glass wasn’t an issue. I wanted to try the paint layering and sanding technique, and I thought this frame would be a great first project. It turned out just the way I’d hoped it would.
Directions:
Wipe down the frame with a cloth and glass cleaner, and let it dry.
Paint the frame with a base color, using a craft paint brush. Let it dry for at least two hours. Give the frame a second coat of paint, in a contrasting color, and let it dry thoroughly.
While the paint dries, design a scrapbook layout to go inside the frame. I chose a preschool photograph of my cousin’s daughter, and then found coordinating scrapbook paper and embellishments. So the photo wasn’t directly on the scrapbook paper, I cut a piece of cardstock a little larger than the photo, and glued the photo to it. I then glued the whole thing to the piece of scrapbook paper. Next I madea tag by cutting two strips of cardstock the same length, but about an inch different in width, and I glued the smaller strip to the larger strip, centering it. Then I added number stickers to the smaller strip to indicate what year the photo was taken. After gluing the tag to the scrapbook paper, I poked two small holes in the top of the tag, in each corner, using a thumbtack, and then inserted small colored brads.
Once your scrapbook page is designed, cover the whole thing with a thin layer of decoupage. Let it dry completely, and then give it a second coat and set it aside to dry again.
Now, back to the frame. When the second coat of paint is dry, use medium-grit sandpaper and gently sand away some of the top color, revealing the base color. You can sand just around the frame edges, or you can sand everywhere. I sanded the whole thing because the top color I used was a little bold. If the top color had been more subtle, I probably would have just sanded the edges.
Once your scrapbook page is dry, just insert it into the frame. Now it’s ready to be displayed.
For this project, I used FolkArt® Home Decor Chalk Paints 34150 White Adirondack (for the base) and 34153 Imperial (for the top coat).
Want to learn about more creative crafting projects? Check out 10 DIY Craft Projects.
