How to......

....Transform a simple frame into a vintage style treasure!!
Hello! As I'm trying to multitask a gazillion jobs at the mo, I have nothing specific to show today so thought I would share some secrets!!
You can do this projects with stuff everyone has lying about in their cupboard,

A vintage style postcard or picture
2 tester paint pots in contrasting colours
Pva white glue
Wax candle
unfinished wood frame

Start with one of these



Give it a coat with one base colour...I've picked cherry red!!




When dry, take a candle and rub around the edges of the frame, where you would see natural wear and tear
If that's the only distress look you want then skip the next step!!



To get a cracked paint look, don't spend lots of money on Crackle glazes, just thin down some PVA white glue with some water and brush on where you would like the paint to crackle...I've painted all down the middle of the frame. The thicker you apply it the bigger the cracks I like to do a bit of a mix!!


When they glue is still tacky but not Wet...paint over your top coat quite thickly but be careful not to paint over and over the same place or your crackles wont show..I've used Pale Eau de nil


The crackles will start to show through as it dries. You then take a scrap of sandpaper or a scraper and lightly scrape away at where you applied the wax, mainly around the edges


Then at this point you can leave as is or dab on some different coloured paint to tone the colours of the picture in..I've used some light blue and dabbed it around. You can also Age it by mix a little brown paint with water and dabbing that with some cotton wool around the edges of the frame to dirty it up a bit....its all about what you prefer though!!

And there we have it!! These would work nicely with the keep calm postcards or maybe a particular birthday card that you cant bear to throw away.
If you do try this please post pics I'd love to see!!! Hope it was helpful
Annie x