Gone Fishin' Frame

Fimo soft polymer clay: Translucent, Sahara, Caramel, Tropical Green, White, Red, Burnt Sienna (dark brown)
metal/glass photo frame
burnt umber acrylic paint
floral wire
baby wipes
string or twine

1. Roll 1/2" diameter logs of tan mix. Cut into sections and place each section around frame.

2. Use a needle tool to draw in the wood grain marks. I have added extra logs in the upper left and lower right portion of the frame (figure A).

3. Shape six 3/8 green balls into teardrops. Press flat and flatten the bottom. Draw in veins with needle tool (figure B).

4. Group in sets of three as shown. Shape a 1/4" dark brown ball into a log 1/2 inch long. Add to bottom for trunk (figure C). Repeat for second tree. Press onto lower left corner of frame.

5. Shape a 3/4" caramel ball into a tapered log. Continue pressing down on a flat, hard surface until you get the shape shown (figure D). Flatten out a 1/2" black ball and add to bottom of leg for hoof (figure E). Press legs over top of frame.

6. Shape a 1" ball into a rounded triangle. Refine the triangle to match the head shape shown. The top of the head will be slightly flatter than the cheeks.

7. Make beginning and ending smile dots with needle tool and draw in a smile, connecting the dots. Pull down with needle tool in the center of the smile to create bottom lip.

• Use rubber stamp alphabets to stamp out word or desired phrase (figure K).

• When satisfied with results (figure L), bake frame for one hour at 265 degrees. Let cool completely. Antique with burnt umber acrylic paint by painting the entire frame (not the glass) with paint. Let it dry a few seconds then wipe off with paper towel or baby wipe (figure M). Repeat until you create the desired finish.

• If you are careful, you can remove the glass from the frame to clean. If any of the embellishments become detached, simply use glue to reattach.