"$5 & Under!" Friday

Here is our first "$5 & Under!" Friday of 2009!!! I have a few wonderful projects set up for you this year, and I hope you enjoy each and everyone of them!

This project is so simple, but oh-so-primitive! The best thing is you can customize it for every season, every holiday or to a special friend. I hope you enjoy today's project!

"Framed Primitive Poems"

supplies:

*your choice of wooden frame

*black craft paint

*Piece of Sandpaper

*piece of material

*4 Tea bags

*Small Saucepan

*Chip Brush or Foam Brush

"Oven

*Small piece of Aluminum Foil

*8 1/2"x11" White Cardstock

*Fabric Tack or Beacons 3-in-1 Glue

*Spray Adhesive

*Matte Finishing Spray (I prefer Krylon brand)

Directions:

First, we are going to take you wooden picture frame, and paint it now. So if it has glass, remove it now, as you won't be needing it for this project, also set the backing aside now too, we will be using this later. Paint your picture frame now with your black craft paint; let dry completely.

Once your frame is dry, take and lightly sand the edges and corners with your sandpaper, just to distress and age it some. Wipe dust off lightly now with a damp rag, let dry. Now, take your Matte Finishing Spray and spray your frame lightly with it. Now set aside for later use.

Next, we are going to choose a Poem to put in side your frame. This is where you can now personalize this project. I am giving you a few links that have wonderful poems or sayings that you can use for this project.

Here they are: http://www.quotegarden.com/index.html

http://www.inspiremecrafts.com/inspireme_crafts/quotes-sayings-poems.html

http://www.verses4cards.co.uk/

http://scrapsayings.com/say-top.htm

Once you have chosen your poem or saying, take and copy & paste it to your Word document Program and print it out on your cardstock

Take your 4 tea bags now and in a cup of water boil them for atleast one minute, this will make the tea nice and strong. Sit aside and cool slightly.

Now take your aluminum foil and line your cookie sheet.

We are going to take and tear your poem out now from your cardstock. I think this gives it a more antique feel.

Time for staining! Take your tea stain and coat your fabric (you can even dip it in and ring it out!) and your poem cut-out with it! I use my foam brush to do the paper with.

Take them now and place them flat onto your foil lined cookie sheet. Place in the oven at 300 degrees; slightly cracking the door with a wooden spoon. Let your items dry in here for about 5-7 minutes. Watching carefully and turning over about halfways thru. IMPORTANT!!! THESE WILL BURN SO WATCH CAREFULLY!!!

When dry, remove from oven and let cool a minute.

We are ready to assemble your project! Take your backing to your frame now and spray with your spray adhesive. Press your fabric down onto the backing, smoothing it out.

Now lay your poem ontop your fabric making sure it is centered, apply a small amount of your fabric tack to the back and glue securely.
I now take and spray my fabric and poem with my Matte Spray, just to seal it from the elements.

Place back inside frame! You are done! What a wonderful personalized gift for you or someone special!

Total Cost of Project:

*frame from $ tree........$1.00

*Piece of Fabric...............Free

*Cardstock.......................$0.15

Total Cost:........................$1.15

***You can also print your poem out on fabric and stitch it onto the bottom piece of fabric for a wonderful Prim look! Both ways are beautiful! Here is a link to my tutorial for fabric printing: http://charsethman.blogspot.com/2008/08/tutorial-tuesday-how-to-print-on-fabric.html