altering a frame made easy using Helmar!

I bought this frame eons ago from a $1 bin at some big box place. LOL You know what I'm talking about. I pick these up all the time thinking oooh, this will be fun to decorate and then it sits forever....well, NOT ANYMORE!!! Ever since being introduced to Helmar Acid Free Glue a few months ago, I have been altering everything I can get my hands on!! And picking up even more that sit in my closet just waiting with anticipation.

 

So, today I decided to work on this frame for my hubby. He's always asking for frames of the kids to take to work and I realized he didn't have one of Trey yet. I know, shame on me! So, I added my first layer of October Afternoon paper using Helmar Acid Free Glue. Then came the fun part! I really want to make this dirty little vintage frame for our son. So, I added a layer of gesso around the edges and alsosome tea dye distress ink. Then using walnut stain, I used Splotchy stamps by The Greeting Farm to strategically add those blots of ink - LOVE the effect. I also recently "aquired" a warehouse box from Maya Road and got these adorably cute chipboard clothing and upon further investigation saw these cute little onesies and overalls in the package that I literally squealed as I knew I was going to use them on the frame. I used Helmar Acid Free Glue again to adhere the pattern paper on the chipboard pieces. This was so fun, fast & easy. I hope it's not too cutesy for my hubby to have at work. If it is, oh well, I'll keep it cuz I love it!!!

I almost forget my favorite part! I added some Helmar Crackle Medium in a few spots around the corners and edges of the frame. While it was still cracking, I rubbed in some tea dye distress ink, it was about an hour after I added step 2 so it was pretty dry but not the full overnight stated in the instructions. Sometimes - a lot of times - I'm a bit impatient! haha But I love the effect. Here are a couple close ups. I also used Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots *to adhere the bottlecap* and Helmar Zap Dots for embellishments on the frame.

Thanks for stopping by today - I hope you are inspired to do some altering today!

Supplies:

• Helmar Acid Free Glue, Helmar Crackle Medium, Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots, Helmar Zap Dots
• Cardboard frame from stash
• Paper - October Afternoon, Echo Park
• Stamps - Unity Stamp Co.; October Afternoon; The Greeting Farm
• Maya Road Laundry Day Mini Chipboard
• Embellishments - Tim Holtz Film Strip Ribbon & Tiny Attacher; Bottle Cap & canvas tag from stash
• Inks - Memento Bamboo Leaves, Stampin' UP Dusty Durango, Distress Inks in Tea Dye & Walnut Stain
• Gesso