Trading art is amazing, in part because it allows me to possess brilliant pieces like this:
Original art by Sal Scheibe
As soon as I received this in the mail, I wanted to display it in my kitchen for all the world to envy and admire. (And yes, all the world totally comes to my kitchen. I’m dizzyingly popular.) I considered running out to Goodwill for a 5×7 frame, but honestly, it was cold today, and I didn’t feel like leaving the house. Heck, I barely felt like leaving my pajamas. Instead, I rummaged around the house for something relatively common, something many other people might have in their houses, too – or if not, then at their favorite dollar store. Here’s what I came up with: A canvas, turned the other way around to become a frame!
8×10 canvas that cost about $1.25
Plan to use a fair amount of paint to cover the main rectangle of canvas. It sucked my paint down like a toxic acrylic milkshake.
The frame needs something both to cover the staples and to add pizzazz. Since my piece is wine-themed, I chose corks. You could choose bottle caps, collage papers, old toy cars – whatever you like!
If you choose corks for your project, cut them with the “grain,” not against it.
Please note that I did not cut my finger. You shouldn’t cut yours, either. Or drill them. Thank you for your cooperation.
Use gel medium or wire brads to hold things in place.
Add picture hangers to the back.
And voila! About 20 minutes later, a frame!
With the corks on it, this canvas is 100% convincing as a fancy wood frame – even from two inches away! I didn’t anticipate that, but I’m putting it in the win column.
12 Comments
Karen Leigh · March 14, 2014 at 11:48 am
GREAT job upcycling! And extra points for something you rummaged from around the house-I love doing that!
AnnDAngelo · March 14, 2014 at 12:19 pm
Thank you, Karen! 😀 I love the rummaging, too. It justifies having so many weird things around! 😉
sarah · March 14, 2014 at 12:09 pm
SUCH a cool idea!!! Since they don't gesso the backs of canvases, I'm not surprised that it tried to drink all of your paint.. hahaha
It looks SO AWESOME. Now I am EXTRA happy that I have a bunch of 8 x 10 canvases laying around. I hate painting that size, so maybe I'll have to make a bunch of frames!
AnnDAngelo · March 14, 2014 at 12:22 pm
Yay! Thank you! As for the paint, it was hilarious. I squeezed the tube too hard and got a GIANT glop, probably almost 2" in diameter. I was all, "Crap!!!" Yeah. The giant glop almost covered 1/6th of the space. LOL.
You should totally make frames! 😀
Connie · March 14, 2014 at 1:30 pm
That looks amazing!
AnnDAngelo · March 14, 2014 at 5:11 pm
Thanks, Connie! 😀
SalScheibe · March 14, 2014 at 3:47 pm
Ha!! How fun! I love how this turned out. What a cool idea!
AnnDAngelo · March 14, 2014 at 5:12 pm
Thanks! I am super happy with it as a frame for your piece. Hooray for secret art supplies!
Cindy D. · March 16, 2014 at 2:28 pm
Terrific project! Looks so great! (It goes without saying that Sal's cartoon is hilarious genius. Which reminds me… will there be wine in Rochester? Or more specifically, is there a rule against wine in our common workroom?) You are definitely a master at making things you have into other things you need! But I will also admit my main question from this one was, 8×10 wrapped canvas for $1.25? omg!
AnnDAngelo · March 16, 2014 at 2:59 pm
Oh yes. There will be wine! Usually we have it on the last night, if not before. Last time, we were pretty brazen about having it out on the table and drinking it, and we didn't get in trouble, so I assume we're cool!
Yeah, if you get a pack of 10 with a good coupon, the price gets way low! 😀
sarah · March 16, 2014 at 10:16 pm
I don't know what Ann is referring to with this "Usually we have it on the last night" thing, but there will be copious amounts of wine if I have anything to say about it. And I have cash and proof that I'm over 21, so I have lots to say about it.
AnnDAngelo · March 16, 2014 at 11:43 pm
My bad! What I meant to say is . . . OPEN BAR! MUPPET IS BUYING!
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