It’s beginning to look a lot like………..BOO!
If I could transform all my indoor decor into Halloween for the month of October, I would. Pillows, curtains, frames, candles: all would be switched out for their spookier counterparts.
But I can’t. First of all, I don’t have the storage space. Second of all, have you seen the prices of all those holiday decor items?
Regular frame= $2.99.
Frame with a crow painted on it= $10.99.
I decided this year to make my own Halloween inspired frames.
You can use any of these techniques with whatever colors, papers, and stencils. They would be a perfect baby or wedding gift. They could also be customized for any holiday.
I started with these unfinished wood frames from Michael’s craft store. They ranged in price from $1.00- $3.99.
I wanted to make them Halloween inspired without screaming Halloween.
And this is how they turned out:
These frames might look fancy, but I swear to hot glue that they were super easy to do.
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DIY Frame Index:
Crackle Frame in this post
Supplies for Crackle Frame:
You can find all products here
Oval Frame
Martha Stewart’s crafters clay nature starter kit
M.S. paint- Beetle Black in High Gloss
M.S. paint- Arrowhead
M.S. Weather Crackle
M.S. Onyx glitter (optional)
Paint Brush
Black and White photo
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Crackle Frame How To:
1) Take out middle insert of frame and put aside. Decide what color you want the cracks to be. That is the first coat you put on. (I used black)
2) Paint a base coat of black. I used high gloss, but any black will work. Don’t forget to do the inner ring and the outer parts. Wash brush, which may be obvious to you but I have 143 dead hardened paint brush heads that say otherwise.
3) While the black paint is drying. Start smooshing the clay into the mold.
This is actually the first time I’ve ever dealt with this “clay.” I find it more like foam than clay. It’s almost like an updated version of plaster that I used to set in molds. The benefit of this new clay is that it is more flexible and less likely to break when you get it out of the mold.
It takes 24 hours to set in the mold. You can just leave it there. Or, I suppose make the rose the day before, which I didn’t do.
4) Honestly, I’m a little impatient so I have a craft hairdryer that I use to speed up drying times. Right about now is when I’m doing that on the black paint if it’s not already dry.
(And if I’m being completely honest, once the rose was firm but not completely set, I took it out of the mold and hair dried it too)
5) Next put on a layer of “weather crackle” on top of the black paint. It’s clear but will go on very glossy. Put on an even layer covering entire surface. Wash brush.
6) Don’t use a hairdryer on this step. It ruins the crackle effect. I know this from past experience. BE PATIENT. And since I’m not, I just started making another frame during this time.
7) Look to see if the shiny has dulled some. I usually touch a corner ever so lightly. The weather crackle stays tacky, so if it’s tacky and not wet? You’re good.
8) Top coat. Now, this part is a little tricky. I’ve seen many a crack job gone wrong.
First, pour the paint you think you’ll need on a paper plate. The key to good crack is keeping a wet edge. You have about 3-4 seconds from the point you touch that paint to the frame before it cracks. And don’t rebrush the part where you just painted. You’ll smear the crack job. The lighter the coat, the smaller the cracks. The heaver the paint goes on, the bigger the cracks.
9) Now sit back and admire the cracks. It’s like magic.
The next day, take your flower out from the mold.
I painted mine black and then sprinkled it lightly with some black glitter.
Then I hot glued it to top of my frame.
Voila.
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Disclaimer: I was sent Martha Stewart crafts. I’m not going to lie, it was a box of awesome. I may have already framed the box in a gilded frame. I used the mold clay kit they gave me on this project. The rest of the items I already had or purchased with my own money. I wasn’t told what to craft or what to use. I didn’t have to write four different craft posts but let’s be honest, who could get through one post with all of that? Also? Overachiever. And I don’t think I expressed any opinions, but if I did, I think we know they’re mine. So there.
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Oh! And this was my 100th post!
Cannot wait for Halloween to roll back around. For the mere fact that I’m going to steal…er, use…your craft ideas. How spooktacular you are!
Wow they turned out great! Love the crackle.
I love love love all these frames.
I think I may need to spruce up my Halloween decor.
Love these! Saw you on Momnivore’s Dilemma and added this to my Halloween pin board : )
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These are lovely and the instructions look easy enough for anyone to do. You’ve inspired me to get decorating!
These came out great! I’m a big fan of the “not too Halloweeny” look this year. White, black a touch of gray…I’m in. Oh yes and you had me at Martha Stewart paints…love them! Thanks for the tutorial :)
Amy*
Fantastically creepy! My weekly linky party–One Creative Weekend–has gone spooky this week in honor of my thirteenth party. If you haven’t already, I hope you’ll visit “One Creative Weekend” on OneCreativeMommy.com (open every Fri-Wed) and link up this idea and anything else you’d like to share. (You can include non-Halloween posts as well, but feel free to link up as many Halloween-themed posts as you like.) There are two categories—one for Halloween and one for everything else.
LOVE it – seriously those “store bought” frames are a BIG rip – what great project ideas!
Love the crackle! But I like the branch even better. Quite a fan of using branches inside, especially seeing as the tree out back keeps raining down hell on us and the backyard.
Holy shitballs, lady! These are fantastic! (I’m not surprised, though. You’re pretty effing awesome.)
LOVE IT. The cracked paint is really cool. A for effort on the flower!
Gorgeous! I can’t get over that clay flower. It came out of the mold perfectly. I like the crackle too. I am like Liz with her OMG that is in your house thing. I wish you could come transform my house into something beautiful! I guess I will just have to try and make these on my own!
I love this. You should be a craft blogger. *snort*
My lord! That is your front hallway?! JEALOUS!
It\’s my front entrance. That\’s the table in it. There\’s usually a large photo above that table.
Wow! You kicked butt with this project, Jenn. Great tutorial, too!
That is the best DISCLAIMER ever! Love. I also love the frames. Very cool.
You’re like a magical sorceress of crafts.
Love it! Especially the mannequin head. Was that your neighbor’s too?
Seriously great ideas and inspiration!
Loved these crafts – especially how they aren’t “too Halloweeny” so if I don’t get them down by November 1, it won’t be too obvious. And that I can do a whole slew of frames for anytime, anywhere in the house with a similar style and color scheme and they end up matching, but not too match-matchy, if you know what I mean!
And now to add to the things that I want to do? Crackle a frame.
I think you need to host a craft day for those of us that are scared to do it on our own.
Hey, wait a minute, is that your table setting…like…in your house…for real?!?
Yes. In my house for real. Yo.
LOVE THIS!!!! Can’t wait to see what other crafty goodness you cook up, this month. Btw, BOO!!!