A weekend frame project {create}

Hello out there...Morning from Down Under...

I'm snuggled under the duvet here, windows open, fresh cold air sweeping through, cup of tea in hand...just the way I like it in the mornings.

I'm usually up and at it on a Monday morning- three kids- three different schools- but as it's school holidays here, we are taking it slow...sigh out...

I've actually been awake since the very early morning, as our big girl headed out to the airport with her dad, to fly interstate to stay with friends. 

She's flying solo, which I feel totally content with after all our travels whilst living in England.

She's such a beautiful, smart girl and so deserved of a holiday after all her studies this last term- and she is a cracking photographer- so if you bother get to reading this, whilst sight seeing up North my lovely Bear- take me plenty of pickies!

So...this past weekend it has rained for all of England, and Europe...and Australia- endlessly!

The Hunter's went on and hardly came off! 

We had a great weekend of cooking, soccer, coffee's, drawing, movies, reading and I even started my *very own creative space* downstairs...a corner where I can leave all my sewing, crafting and paper goodies out all the time! 

Don't know who was happier- me or my husband...I'm quite sure when I have a space for myself, even he is more settled!

And so to it...

a weekend project {create}

The weekend of endless rain also gave me a chance to start an up-cycling project I've been wanting to do for so long.

We lived abroad for four years- yet most of our photos, like many people's, are on our laptop.
I've never really found it easy buying frames- so I end up at Ikea with a trolley full of plain white ones of all sizes- it ticks the boxes, but it's not a particularly creative process and lacks a little soul for me!

I've been collecting old frames from Vinnies {St.Vincent's De Paul's} for the last few weeks- all sizes and styles.
It's been lovely looking for unusual shapes...more detailed frames and not one of them cost me over two dollars!

I always have a slight order to my *crafting*- I can get a little swept up in all the details and turn to find myself surrounded by creative chaos- so a little order is an essential element!
This time I numbered my frames and the inserts, as I was dealing with so many, and I have to say it was simply like doing a puzzle putting them all back together!

So...in a crafty nutshell.

a weekend project {create}

You will need:

*old timber frames
*spray paint {I used bog standard, super cheap Squirts Quick Dry Gloss Enamel in *Medium Grey* }
*a large table, preferably outdoors in which to spray
*collected photos and/or prints
*enthusiasm & then patience :)

Firstly, I numbered each frame as I disassembled it, and laid the lot out on a large drop sheet on our outdoor table. This step is a life saver- I promise you!

I sprayed the frames, all at the same time, slowly and carefully with a few lighter applications, rather than one heavy one, so as to avoid drips, paint buildup and bubbles.

Finally I dug deep for some patience whilst they dried!

My suggestion: go and wash all the glass fronts in soapy water, and again slug through a zillion photos to try and chose the first ones you will frame.

{Believe me this is addictive-not the smell ;) but the act of making beautiful frames out of incredibly-ugly-and-not-lovely-old ones!}

I love choosing a paint colour...the wall of little sample cards- the whole trip to the hardware store.

So for me, when faced with a wall of spray cans of all colour and application- {did you know that there is a spray paint out there for pretty much anything!!} I was a little excited- and then I just came out with my current favourite colour- GREY!

I was thinking a great yellow or turquoise at first- perhaps I'll mix a few of those in- but the grey was so deep and lovely and perfect for both B&W and colour prints. 

They look fantastic.

I love them!

I'm loving the anticipation of building a photo wall of our travels with them!

At long last!

If you've a pile of photos, a few spare hours and a lovely big blank wall in your home, or you simply want to make something special out of not much, for very few dollars - a lovely up-cycling project that you actually will love and want to live with...then this is it.

I cannot wait to start on the wall- I have at least another dozen frames, or more, to finish spraying yet though...
Think I'll be getting those kids onto a little assistance over the holidays, as they tend to feature in just a few of the pickies! ;)

Happy Monday y'all!

Melissa x