Crackled Frame Tutorial

This last weekend we competed at Nationals and guess what…

Woohoo!! So… Needless to say, Ashley worked close to 3214012 hours over the weekend and I was there for much of that.  Sorry to keep you guys waiting but again… WOOHOO:)

Now to frames!  I had several questions about my frames I used on this wall here.

This is a “pre-blog” project I have never shared.  I was creating a wall of pictures and wanted to alter my frames to coordinate and help it flow.  I purchased all of my frames at Big Lots for under $20 but you can also find great cheapos at Wal-Mart, Dollar Tree and Hobby Lobby.  I tried to find frames that were very different in style.  You start by removing the insides of your frame like this.

These are the products I used to create my frames. 

First I painted the frame with two coats of the Americana Burnt Umber.

After letting that dry I applied one generous coat of the crackle medium.

After that dries it is time for the top coat.  Your top coat will be the color that cracks open and reveals the bottom coat through the cracks.  *IMPORTANT* !! When you are applying the top coat you can’t paint over where you have already painted.  I do one line of paint at a time.  If you do go over it, the crackle will not work.

As the top coat drys it will crackle.  Make sure to use a good amount of paint on your brush for the top coat.

And all finished up…

At this point you can put your glass back in and add a cute picture…

…Or you can also take it one step further. Soon, I will be showing you a super cheap but so chic way to mat your own pictures.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  We’ve missed you guys and I’m glad to get back in the swing of things.  Have a great Thursday!!

~Whitney