Carol shows how to frame beautiful gift bags in a shadow box made from a very inexpensive frame and decorated with dried or pressed flowers.
Steps:
- Select the arrangement, such as a piece of antique lace accompanying a wedding invitation, a baseball glove and tickets from the big game, or dried flowers in a decorative bag.
- Measure the montage, adding extra for the border area. The actual border should be based on the size of the objects in the grouping: the smaller the objects, the smaller the border; the larger the objects, the larger the border.
- Select a conservation grade mat board as the backing material. Be sure to pick a color that best complements the color theme of the piece.
- To create a mat with a 1-3/4" deep cove, measure and mark a 1/2" border around the edge of the mat board. Be sure to extend the 1/2" marks to the very edge of the board. Next, measure and mark a 3" border around the edge of the mat.
- Score the 3" marks. The scoring should cut about 2/3 of the way through the mat board.
- With a utility knife, cut out wedges at the corners by starting at the intersection of the 3" lines and cutting outward to the 1/2" marks.
- Gently bring the corners together and secure with a strong acid-free tape on the back. The width of the angle you cut at the corner will control the angle of the cove. The size of the mat plus the angle controls the depth.
- Attach the objects to the mat board. If the objects can be sewn down, use a matching thread and tack down in various places. Sew buttons on the back for extra support. If you cannot sew an item down to the backing, then clear silicone adhesive will work. Use it sparingly and allow to dry for 24 hours.
- Measure the depth of the cove mat and select a molding that is deep enough on the sides to accommodate the mat, backing board, and glass.
- Cut, clean and position a piece of glass in the frame.
- The cove mat will hold the glass.
- Fit in with a backing board, paper the back and add wire to hang.
If you would like to dry your own flowers, you may want to check in your local craft store or flower shop for the following product: Mother Nature Preserves Silica Gel Crystals
Resources Little Dipper heated reservoir that holds glue & Crafty Hot Melt glue (Model #: 0275 - Little Dipper)
Adhesive Technologies Inc.
Website:
www.adhesivetech.com
mat boards - Crescent
Crescent Cardboard Company
Phone: 847-537-3400
Toll Free Phone: 800-323-1055
URL:
www.crescentcardboard.com
flower presses - Sunstone
Sunstone Inc.
PO Box 788
Cooperstown, NY 13326
USA
Phone: 607-547-8207
Toll Free Phone: 800-327-0306
Fax: 607-547-8338
photosafe acid-free photo products - Creative Memories
Creative Memories
Website:
www.creativememories.com
wooden framed shadow box instructional pamphlet - Tru Vue
Tru Vue
9400 W. 55th St.
McCook, IL 60525
USA
Phone: 708-485-5080
Toll Free Phone: 800-621-8339
Fax: 708-485-5980
URL:
www.tru-vue.com
Duro Clear Silicone Sealant (Model #: 80242)
Henkel Consumer Adhesives, Inc.
Website:
www.duckproducts.com
Something Beautiful By Rita
Something Beautiful By Rita
512 Neilwood Drive
Nashville , TN 37205
USA
Phone: 615-352-3664
Toll Free Phone: 800-294-8851
Fax: 615-353-6273
Workstation Pressed Flowers With Other
by Rita Warner, Sylvia Pepper, Ann McKinnon (ISBN: 0843136669)
This title is out of print. Locate copies at local libraries, used book stores or through book searches.
dried flower kits and products - Activa
Kits available include: Flower Drying, Forever Natural, Microwave Flower Drying Art, Green St. Victoria's Dried Flowers.
Activa Products Inc.
Website:
www.activaproducts.com
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