Thursday, May 20, 2010

Empty Frame Wall Art: Revised

This post has been edited. I couldn't look at the project below on my wall for another minute. I love it in theory, and it works in the craft room...but somethings you just can't change. Things like YOUR self. My entire house is decorated in shades of blue, gray, and neutrals. The color seen below was stressing me out!


So, enjoy below the BEFORE and AFTER of the empty frame art.
Before
After


Inspiration, where does it come from? Sometimes when I am having a dry "crafty spell" I go hunting through blogland. There are so many great ideas out there, and I love when I find the perfect one. Well, I was in need of some real inspiration this past week, and I found it here on Ucreate. Check out the 5th picture down. Let's all just come to the consensus now that it is way classier than what you will see in a minute, but we'll proceed anyway and see what I got into this week.

I've been looking for something to occupy the space of the guest bed in my craft room. Honestly, my craft desk used to occupy space in the guest room, but times have changed around here and I've got to say I like it! Anyway, this room has gone through many changes, and I was very unsatisfied by how dark the room still felt. How was I supposed to be creative in such a drab space? So, I set out to remedy this situation, using what Kari had discovered.

First, I used some great magazine's I already had, (and purchased some additional ones at a discount book store for $.50), to create a fun graphic for the wall. (Again, this has now changed, but just in case you like it...read on!)



I just cut the covers off and used a glue stick to attach them to two poster boards taped together. My little assistant helped me choose the perfect layout.



We mounted this, with 3M poster strips I had lying around, above the headboard.



Next, I had to make a frame. I had planned on thrifting to purchase a giant old frame, but came up empty handed. ( I have to say for all that Goodwill offers, paying $39.75 for a giant frame there seemed a little steep to me still.) So, I had my husband cut some cheap chair rail for me into 3 foot strips. He used a table saw to cut the corners at a 45 degree angle.


Worried about splitting the wood with nails, I used the unconventional method of hot gluing wood to stick the frame sides together. It holds perfectly so I am pleased. I am totally aware that there are better ways out there to do this, but I went with the cheap, no additional materials needed, way to get the job done over here!



Next, all I needed to do was paint them the perfect cool blue, to go along with every other accent in my house. Perhaps it is getting a little monochromatic around here, hmmm?



When the frame was complete, I cut burlap strips from some left over scraps, and hot glued them to the back of the frame.


To hang the frame, I purchased a coat hook from a Target clearance aisle for $2.44 (win!). I screwed it into the wall, just below the crown molding, and...


Ta-da! Some bright graphic wall art was created using an empty frame and some recycled magazines. (Or other random paper wreaths and monograms you have lying around your house...)



Being the non-committal, A-type personality that I am, I have some mixed feelings about the results. So, let's lay out the pro's and con's and see what you think. (SO VERY non-commital, hence the re-post!)

Pro's
-It's big, and I LOVE big!
-Burlap ribbons make me happy!
-I'm in love with Martha Stewart, and now I get to be inspired by her everyday!
-I get to use a lot of exclamation points while posting this blog! yay!
-The frame can change forms a million times, and still be a worthwhile project!
-I got to recycle magazines!

Con's
-It's a lot of color. (Is that a con? Most of the things in my home are shades of blue, gray and something VERY neutral?
-It is not very sophisticated, and I am not generally that whimsical...hmm...
-I keep imagining the frame filled with one of my wreaths or some super cute silhouette plates. Now I am questioning whether or not I made the right choice going the graphic right?

Ohwell, for now I am just going to think I like it and be happy that my husband is too. (That DID NOT work out for me so well!) We can brainstorm later (aka, problem solved, for now!) Let's just check out what other great inspirations are floating out there in crafty world here.

I am pleased with the end result, even if it took a while to get here!



Happy Thursday friends!

33 comments:

Maria Babin May 20, 2010 at 6:19 AM  

i could never get away with that, but it looks fabulous! love the colors! love the frame. love the simplicity of it all! and i love your shortcuts! way to go!

Pati @ A Crafty Escape May 20, 2010 at 7:33 AM  

I LOVE all the colors...

Bethany Jacob May 20, 2010 at 8:01 AM  

I know how it is to always revert back to the same color scheme or just neutrals or whatever, so you get props just for trying something so bright and bold. And I think it's a total success!! The colors are vibrant, the presentation unusual, it really catches the eye. I feel inspired just looking at it. :)

Tiffany May 20, 2010 at 8:33 AM  

I think it is awesome, Patrice! Totally unique and fun! Definitely inspirational and perfect for a craft room! I love how you made the frame and the color that you painted it! Wow! Great job!

Amy May 20, 2010 at 8:36 AM  

So neat! Great concept and great way to display some favorites!

Kristi May 20, 2010 at 9:12 AM  

This looks fantastic! I have been saving frames to make an empty frame wall art. Thanks for inspiring me to get it done!!

shannon i olson May 20, 2010 at 10:39 AM  

I love it!!

Tamber May 20, 2010 at 11:49 AM  

I think I have extra Mounding in my closet. I might be trying to make myself one of these today! Very Cute.

Tamber
Colorful Cravings

Jessica May 20, 2010 at 11:57 AM  

Patrice, this is such a great idea. I'm in love with all the color! Can't wait to attempt this one!

Fawnda@Fireflies and Jellybeans May 20, 2010 at 1:20 PM  

Totally fabulous! I love the blue! :)

Delia May 20, 2010 at 10:48 PM  

I love this idea. I like the pop of color.

Andy Porter May 21, 2010 at 7:12 AM  

It looks great! I love that you made your own frame too!!

the domestic fringe May 21, 2010 at 8:03 AM  

I gotta say that I LOVE this! It's not boring and it's really unique. Everybody has plates and things hanging on their walls, but you don't see a graphic wall like this everyday. I like it. If I were you, I'd keep it! ;-) Great job.

-FringeGirl

Erin A May 21, 2010 at 12:38 PM  

It's so cool and bright! I love those magazine covers, way to put them to good use, I always feel a little bad throwing away the pretty ones!

And way to claim the craft room! I remember Chris bucking up at first when I would do that, but eventually he realized the truth.

Becca Ross May 21, 2010 at 1:05 PM  

Cute idea! Thanks for linking up to Home and Family Friday.

Becca

Laura May 21, 2010 at 11:36 PM  

What an awesome idea. So much inspiration from the magazines.

I'm hosting a blog party right now and would love it if you linked up!
http://www.iamalongfortheride.blogspot.com

malia May 22, 2010 at 7:06 AM  

It's beautiful and I love the glue gun method! stopping by from tatertots + jello

Laura May 22, 2010 at 6:46 PM  

Thanks for linking up to Saturday is Crafty Day at along for the ride!

Jessica May 22, 2010 at 9:14 PM  

I love the switch Patrice!! However I was fond of the magazine covers before. How versatile the empty frame is!!

Tiffany May 22, 2010 at 9:43 PM  

I do love the new look. Both ways look great to me, but I totally know what you mean. You can have a great and creative idea but it might not necessarily be for you! As they would say on American Idol, "You stayed true to yourself and your style." : ) Good for you! : )

Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming May 22, 2010 at 10:09 PM  

Love the revision! Simply gorgeous. The magazine covers are very cute and yes I agree they would be perfect for a craft room! Great idea! Hope you have a great weekend!~ Stephanie Lynn

Sarah @HarriganHowdy May 23, 2010 at 12:27 AM  

I love how you've incorporated inspirational magazine covers. It turned out super cute. I've been wanting to try the empty frame look with a canvas portrait but haven't gotten to it yet. This is just what I needed to push me into gear! :) Thanks for the inspiration.

Blessings!
-Sarah

Ruth H. May 23, 2010 at 10:13 AM  

Wow, I like it both ways! I have a thing about magazine covers, they are just SO PRETTY. I really like how you incorporated yours into the room. But, I can see how they could be too much color too soon. The wreath is beautiful, too.

Ann @ makethebestofthings May 24, 2010 at 10:55 AM  

I liked the bright zing of the magazine covers but the redo is so chic and stylish, but I LOVE it! Wonderful combo of neutrals and texture.

Unknown May 24, 2010 at 11:08 AM  

I love that. I have a frame I want to do something like that with. Thanks for sharing.
Brooke

FLOWERSHOPGURL May 25, 2010 at 7:53 PM  

Very nice, love the color of the blue frame. Thank you for sharing such a cool idea!
Hugz,
Kim

Julie Bagamary May 26, 2010 at 6:05 AM  

WOW! I really like this and am thinking of the many glassless frames I see at Goodwill and wonder what to do with them. Now I know.

Atticmag May 26, 2010 at 12:04 PM  

Great to see how that was done. And how to display it as well. Thanks! Jane F.

Carolyn @ My Backyard Eden May 26, 2010 at 7:16 PM  

I do like your after better! Thanks for sharing your creative process!

Mad in Crafts May 26, 2010 at 9:05 PM  

I like the idea of the first result, but I think the second works better. PS I am kinda addicted to that cool blue color right now too!

Thanks for linking to the Mad Skills party!

Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking May 26, 2010 at 11:21 PM  

Such a pretty blue! I love it with the wreath, but both are great. Thanks for sharing with us at the POPP.

KimMalk May 27, 2010 at 6:14 PM  

It looks great- I just passed up a wonderful frame yesterday- ouch.

Rose :: FineCraftGuild.com June 5, 2010 at 9:47 AM  

beautiful!
worth every bit of the 'pain(t)' in the process
:-)

Related Posts with Thumbnails