Tuesday 1 September 2015

Numbers (1) for Country View Crafts

Antique French Number Plaques



Here's a very special altered photo frame from me today, you'll find out the significance of it at the end of the post.
I started with an old Ikea deep frame which was quite highly varnished so I gave it a sand down to provide tooth for the gesso to stick to it and painted it with decoart white crackle paint.



Whilst that was drying I die-cut four oval shapes from greyboard ....


.... painted them with black gesso and created a rusted effect using decoart media acrylic paints.


When dry I die-cut the movers and shapers numbers and punched holes in the sides.



For the background I took a piece of card and cut it to the size of the frame - I ran it through an embossing folder (I only have 2 A4 ones so the text seemed the most appropriate). I brayered titan buff, raw umber, burnt umber and viridian decoart media acrylic paints on my craft mat and gently rubbed the embossed text over it ....


.... and I didn't waste any of the paints as I took a piece of A4 card and took a mono print from the textured paint that was left and then used what was left on the roller and the craft mat .....


.... to create a spare painty piece that I used in the background of the die-cut 70 and to adhere to greyboard and die-cut the hearts.


Here you can see the crackle effect on the frame which as also been sanded and inked in prominent places to make it look worn.


I used hot glue to add three paint brushes bound with rusty wire....


.... and I still have three left to use on future projects.


Once I had put the frame and pieces together I have a stand up picture frame as a lovely reminder of the year my educational career started, when my love of art really began and also the year I met the most significant man in my life.


I hope you will be able to join us in our numbers challenge this month where there will be a £20 voucher for the Country View Crafts webshop for one lucky winner.

Thanks for stopping by.

hugs Brenda xxx


18 comments:

sally said...

It was quite a year! My initial thoughts were a 70th birthday, then I saw the word together....anniversary! That's a long time!!! But no, so much simpler, the year, a cracker :-) and a great make too.

Sally

hazel said...

This is amazing - I love the crackle on the frame and how you've put all the elements together.
xxx Hazel.

Monika Gulyas said...

Beautiful project, Brenda!!! Fantastic alteration of a simple - I can say ugly :-) - IKEA frame!!! I love your number plaques!!!

Mary Elizabeth said...

Wow!! This is lovely. I'm celebrating right along with you on this project. You've taught me so much through your tutorials and inspiring pieces of art. Love the paint brushes and crackle finish on the frame. Stunning. And the treatment you gave those ovals for the numbers ... wow (again). A also love the fact that you don't waste paint. The monoprint will be fantastic addition to another project. Beautiful hearts too. Just a great piece for this challenge. Hope to play along. Hugs -- Mary Elizabeth

A Pink said...

What a fabulous meaningful piece of art! Brenda . I love how you have altered the frame to look so crackled and worn and the rust effect on your ovals is fantastic. The brushes and hearts are the perfect embellishments to remind you of your wonderful year .
A very special creation and thank you for sharing

Words and Pictures said...

Well, that's certainly a year worth celebrating then! I love your rusty number plaques, and the fabulous crackle on the frame. What a wonderful keepsake.
Alison xx

Doreen said...

Love your altered frame...1970 was obviously a good year.xxx

Clare Lloyd said...

Fab project.

Deborah Wainwright said...

Wow! Brenda. Fabulous ageing techniques especially the rust. I adore the use of brushes, they add such a wonderful touch. The frame also looks fab and provides a wonderful stage for your feature. I love it hugs Debs xx

Nikki Acton said...

Wonderful Brenda, such a great idea for the the theme and just love the number plates. Nikki x

Patty O'Malley said...

What a fantastic project, Brenda! Wonderful way to preserve a special memory.

Jennie Atkinson said...

What a fabulous way to celebrate such a wonderful year Brenda! The rusty number plates are just wonderful and the altered frame just stunning. A fabulous memento. Jennie x

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

You totally rock the rusted look! I ADORE the 70 plaque! VERY COOL!!! Great make!!!

Sue said...

Love this Brenda, a fabulous make and what a great way to commemorate an anniversary xx

experiments in paper said...

What a sweet way to remember a significant year..... and I love all of the techniques you've used. The crackle frame is so lovely with that hint of teal, and the rusting effect is fabulous. Love this! xxx Lynn

Deb said...

What a fabulous and beautiful reminder of an amazing year Brenda! Love everything from the beautifully crackled frame to the lovely script background, to those fabulous numbered ovals,not to mention the beautiful and significant hearts and brushes. Thanks so much for sharing it! Deb xo

pearshapedcrafting said...

A truly wonderful transformation, and such a lovely way to celebrate your special year! Chrisx

Susanne said...

Oh Brenda, what a nice project! What dies have you used for the hearts?