DECOUPAGE — MAKING A PICTURE FRAME

Brought to you by the Great Kills Day Treatment.

Decoupage? This is an arts and crafts activity that you can use with many items. Today we will be making a picture frame with Decoupage. This item can be used to decorate your room, living room or as a personalized gift to family and friends. It is quite an easy task that is a lot of fun. This activity can be done independently, with a friend, or with as much help as you need.

Before you start this project, read through the entire activity and be certain to get the help you need. Check the list of supplies needed to make sure you have everything. Have fun!!!

Supplies and items needed:

Plain wood Frame

Glue Stick/ Elmers glue

Glaze (Clear)

Magazine/ pictures

Scissors

Paintbrush

DIRECTIONS

Step 1: Check around your house and see if you have any magazines you like, pictures of interest, and any of the other items listed above. Ask a family member, friend or staff to take you to the store to get any items you need. Going to the local craft store is usually the best place to find the items needed. You can buy a plain wooden frame whatever size you like.

Step 2: If you are making this frame as a gift, find out what the person likes IE: sports, dogs, cats, etc it can be anything. Then look through the magazine or pictures to find the items of interest. Once you found the pictures you like, cut them using your scissors. The pictures should be between 1 1/2” to 3” big, depending upon the size of your frame. You may need assistance with cutting out the pictures. Ask a family member or friend to help you.

Step 3: Once your pictures are cut out, place them on the frame to see where you would like them to be. For example you can place one picture in the right corner and one in the left bottom corner. It is your frame so you do what you like. Once you know how you want the pictures arranged take the glue stick and put glue on the back of your chosen pictures. Then place the picture on the frame (glue side down) where you want it. Only do ONE picture at a time; this will make it easier to keep the frame neat. Repeat this step until all your chosen pictures are glued on. (NOTE: You can OVERLAP pictures on the frame.)

Step 4: Now you are to let the pictures dry on the frame. This can take from a half-hour to three hours for the glue to completely dry. While the pictures are drying you can begin to set up your work area for the glazing. You should place some old newspapers on the work area to avoid any spills on the furniture/ floor.

Step 5: Once the pictures are completely dry on the frame, you are ready to begin the glazing process. Take your paintbrush and can of clear glaze and place them on your work area. Take the paintbrush and first wet it with cold water, then put it into the can of glaze, wipe excess glaze off the brush on the top of the can, then begin to paint your frame. You can use up and down strokes with the brush or sidestrokes. Cover all of the wood on the frame with the glaze. Once finished, let it dry and then repeat this step two more time. (This will ensure that your pictures stay on the frame.)

Step 6: Let the frame dry completely over night. Then you can give the frame to a friend or family member, or keep it for yourself. If you are giving it away you can place a photo in the frame or leave it blank, it will make a lovely gift either way. This project can be done anytime of the year and is a great project for people to do together.

Enjoy !!!!