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Monday 15 April 2013

UKS Spring Blog Hop - Mixed Media Butterfly and Altered Picture Frame

Hello everyone and welcome to the UK Scrappers Spring Blog Hop. 



If you lose your way, or have dropped in on me directly and want to follow the hop, you can see the full list with all the links here . UKS are also offering a prize to a randomly chosen person who comments on all the blogs, so check the thread for details.

I am very pleased to be participating, because it will be a fond and fitting farewell from me as I will be shortly emigrating to Australia, taking very precious memories of the many friends I have made through UKS and our wonderful craft. 

My project is this mixed media Butterfly within an altered photo frame.  I wanted to give you an example of the types of project you can achieve from items that you probably already have in your home.  No need to go to any extra expense - just devote some time and some crafty elbow grease!  :)
 
 

  
As we are currently trying to sell our house, I realised when looking around that the walls were a bit bare. Time was not on my side due to an imminent viewing in a few days, and I only had a very limited amount of time to devote to a project. 
 
I am also trying to destash and declutter, so have been going through and rationalise my supplies. I came across this butterfly made from acrylic packaging for an exhibit that I created some years ago that never made it to its proposed destination so I decided to repurpose it to a picture instead. 
 
Painting the Photo Frame
 

Step One -
Start with a frame.  Here's one I've had hanging around the house for many years. 
 
 
I wanted to coordinate with my bedroom scheme, which is maroon and grey/silver. I decided to go with a mid grey for the frame, so gathered my supplies for that:







I keep an old icecream tub in my paint drawer which comes in very handy for painterly projects. I just wash it out after each project and store it away for the next one.  I used a large foam brush to paint the frame which I think is much better than normal brushes as it doesn't leave brush marks.

I have a large supply of Jo Sonja acrylic paints and mediums and find these are of great quality. I added a small amount of black paint to the white to make a shade of grey that I liked. Flow Medium is used to thin the paint and make it "flow" better onto the project surface.

I only had to wait a matter of minutes before adding another coat. Three coats did the trick!
 
Step Two -
The Altered Butterfly
 

I found some acrylic packaging of a good weight and freehand cut a butterfly. If I'd have known then how it would be finally used, I would have made the butterfly smaller, so as to be more in proportion to the size of the frame.

I pounced alcohol inks around the butterfly until I was pleased with the finish. From memory, I used a combination of Wild Plum, Caramel and Rust for the background. I cut some spots from an old stamp catalogue, choosing images which I wanted to represent the symbolism of the project. I made up a saying, and then cut out appropriate words from magazines. I adhered some heart sequins down the spine of the butterfly, and then grunged and shabbied everything up with a magenta coloured crayon. I stuck two purple sequins on the antennae and then outlined everything with Gun Metal stickles - more of a distress product than a stickles one, because it is more suitable for a grungy mixed media project as it doesn't have the sparkle.

 
Step Three
The Butterfly Background:
 
I used a white sheet of paper that comes within some of the page protectors and cut it down to the size of the slip of branding paper in the frame. 
 
With a second sheet of paper, I traced around the butterfly and cut out a slightly bigger shape as a mask, as I thought I would like a halo effect around it as a contrast.
 
I thought there was no point in inking behind the butterfly, and also felt that it would appear lighter with a white background.  So I adhered the mask to the white background with some Herma repo and started to ink the background.  I found the ink went onto the paper more smoothly with a cosmetic sponge, and started with the Antique Linen colour closest to the butterfly, which replicated the colours within the butterfly. 
 

  
I then inked Spun Sugar just around the butterfly edge for some contrast. 
 
  
Then I went to work on top with a large script stamp, using the Pumice Stone distress ink.  The next stage was to stamp off (ie stamp a first image onto some scrap paper, and use the second stamping on the background) other butterfly images onto the background. 
 
I found some butterfly rub-ons in my stash, which I added, and then later covered over as I didn't like their colour - I felt it was too strong on the really subtle background.  That is why this background differs to the final look of the project.  Don't be afraid to go back and "fix" what you don't like! I punched out some other butterflies and coloured them in with the same combination of distress inks. 
 

  
 So here again is the finished item, made with no extra expense or purchase -

 

 
See - no sign of any rub-on butterflies! I just covered them up with stamped images to blend in with the background. 
 

Supplies:
Altered Frame:
Jo Sonja Acrylic Titanium White, Carbon Black, Flow Medium
Foam Brush
 
Acrylic Butterfly:
Recycled Acrylic packaging
Cut out words from magazines
Alcohol inks:- Wld Plum, Rust,  Caramel
Stickles - Gunmetal
Purple sequins
Heart Sequins
Crayon
Old book pages (I used a stamp catalogue)
 
Butterfly Background:
White paper
Ranger Distress Inks: Spun Sugar, Milled Lavender, Antique Linen, Pumice Stone, Seedless Preserves
Stamps: Prima clear script, PSX Butterfly
Punches:  Martha Stewart Butterfly trio
 
 If I had realised that this project would have ended up in a frame, then as I said earlier, I would have made the butterfly smaller.  It was serendipitous that it tied in with the colour scheme of my bedroom, otherwise I would have had to start from scratch with a different project. 
 
For a change to win this lovely set of Hexagon Framelits, please leave a comment below by the end of the hop, (ie by midnight today) and tell me what kind of similar project you've done around the home (a link to an image would be good), or how this post would inspire you to create a DIY home decor project?
 
Why don't you go onto the the next UKS Blog stop, Beautifullily?  Happy hopping!  :D
 
 

105 comments:

  1. Strated the hop watching the golf...will regret it in the morning - your butterfly is beautiful!

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  2. The butterlh is great but I love tbe background

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  3. I love your home decor project, I especially like the inked and stamped background... gorgeous and I hope it helps to sell your home.

    I have done a home decor project which involved butterflies as well.. I have done a blog post for you about it.

    [URL="http://wizbitsblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/uks-blog-hop.html/"]Here[/URL]


    Good luck with move down under.

    Wizbit (Liz)

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    1. Sorry I haven't worked out how to link in comment my my blog address is

      wizbit.me.uk

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  4. Wow! your butterfly is beautiful. Thank you for sharing how to do it.
    Sue x

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  5. I meant to add I hope your move goes well.
    Sue x

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  7. Wow! LOVE the butterfly, so pretty!

    Thanks for sharing it :) Hope your move goes well xx

    purplybunny (also uks name)

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  8. Sorry for messed up reply, stupid phone (& me!) Beautiful butterfly & great tutorial. Hope all goes well with the sale & the move.
    lindschick xx

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  9. Super tutorial and a beautiful frame, good luck with th move too- sounds very exciting :)

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  10. It is a gorgeous project, thanks for showing us how you did it. It is timely for me as we have just decorated the lounge and we want to make our own work for the walls :)

    Good luck in Australia, what a great opportunity :)

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  11. Just gorgeous, bookmarked for a later date :)

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  12. What a pretty project, the colours are beautiful.

    Good luck with the move.

    Toni xx
    (misteejay)

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  13. How lovely! Very grateful for tutorial that encourages recycling and materials we ate all likely to already have! Good luck with your move :0)
    Tasha / teeshirt on UKS

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  14. fab Project Ali. Im making a beach turned printers tray for my wall. I will be working on it at a scrappy weekend away this coming weekend

    all the best with your move

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  15. Love it, Ali. Good luck with the move. I have a few projects waiting to be altered but I am very bad at doing them.

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  16. This is definitely my kind of project and I will be pinning it once I figure out how to do it on my iPad! Good luck with your move.

    Tink (UKS TinkerHamilton)

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  17. A really lovely project thanks

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  18. It's so pretty- I love butterflies. Good luck with your move.
    Kim

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  19. That's beautiful. I'm sure I've got the stuff to attempt something similar. Tigerlady

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  20. Fabulous project and great detailed instructions - thankyou. Good luck with the move
    UKS lelly

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  21. Great project... time to find those alcohol inks!

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  22. Lovely project. I have some frames I want to alter, this has given me some inspiration to get going. Thanks UKS sue1952

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  23. This is gorgeous - am just about to embark on refreshing my bedroom - have some frames I bought years ago - think I will colour them to match and make some hearts similar to your butterfly to put in them - thanks so much for the inspiration - off to dig out alcohol inks now PaulineD

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  24. Not usually into pink .. but this is so subtle and not at all "in your face" that I find I LIKE IT !! Thank You.

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  25. wow some useful ideas ...love the colours
    thanks scrappybluecat uks

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  26. Such a great idea and superb instructions, thank you.

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  27. This is absolutely stunning! I love it! And due to the depth of your instructions I feel it's something that not only I want to do but that I could actually achieve! I love the saying you made up and cutting it our of magazines adds to the collagey look. It really is beautiful, thanks for sharing - I've bookmarked you!!! :) Sian aka Violaceous

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  28. Wonderful project - and super clear instructions. I especially liked how you "fixed" bits that weren't going the way you wanted. The end result is really beautiful. Jimjams x

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  29. Beautiful project, Thank you for sharing and hope all goes well with the move to Australia :)
    from Boland

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  30. Great project. Thank you for the clear instructions. It's amazing what you can do with bits & pieces you already have!

    chrisrydal x

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  31. A great way to use up stash, and repurpose something that wasn't being used to its full potential. It will be brightening up your walls nicely.

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  32. Lovely project Alison. Good luck with your move. I'm sure I have an old frame lying about.

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  33. This is really lovely Alison! I've never made a framed picture for my home but after seeing this I really want to give it a go! Sarah (UKS: jayni)

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  34. Lovely project Ali, great re-purposing!
    *here be dragons*

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  35. Thanks for a beautiful project, here's a link to my much simpler home decor project http://learning-2-scrap.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/just-for-me.html good luck with the move JoPink

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  36. A gorgeous project, really pretty. Thank you. :)

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  37. Fantatsic project-will def be trying it :)

    Leigh11 xx

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  38. beautiful butterfly :) Will have to give it a go for caitlins room

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  39. This is lovely,I've never tried anything like this before but I do have a spare frame.......

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    1. Should have added my UKS name - Chris55

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  40. I'm often wary of 'mixed media' projects as they look a bit 'messy' and I'm not sure what I'd do with the finished project! I really like this, and could definitely find room for something like this on my craftroom wall. (Eileen C)

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  41. Terris chocolat Thank you for sharing the lovely butterfly Good Luck in Oz

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  42. Thank you for your lovely butterfly and sorry to her you are off to Oz but best wishes for your new life with the family xxxx

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  43. Some great ideas for inking and using up or converting 'old' frames. Good luck in Australia! UKS - Sharon1973

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  44. Gorgeous! Lovely project and made without shelling out tons on supplies! even better!

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  45. I have never had a go at a mixed media project before but I love this. I love your instructions as well. ThAnks for sharing (uks Jacqui 200284)

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  46. A lovely project and best of luck in Oz. Cathy0536

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  47. That's gorgeous Ali. Great tutorial - thank you. This blog hop is a great idea - I've not been on UKS for a while so thanks for the reminder to visit. :) (Stikkachikk!) (to use my Sunday name! ;) )

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  48. Fabulous Butterfly Ali. Thanks for sharing. Good luck in the move to Aussie too. x

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  49. Aww thats lovely, and nice to have something made from things you already have. Its so pretty.

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  50. I forgot to say my comment was by Maria in France on UKs

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  51. A nice start to the bloghop :) lovely frame and butterfly, all the best for your move to Australia :) Kitty Crafts UKS

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  52. Great idea. Hope the move goes well. KJJC -uks name

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  53. Doh! Sorry, forgot to include my UKS name, AllycatD and add that I've got soooooo many projects I want to do for my new house but need to finish unpacking boxes first so I can't link to any :( Yet! :)

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  54. That's really different Ali then seeing your usual scrapbook pages. Love it! UKS - Julesaroony

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  55. I love butterfly's so I love this idea.

    Lyn55

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  56. oooh that is lovely I haven't really made any home projects but this has definitely inspired me to use some of the many frames I have at home and fill them with some handcrafted stash thank you ps best wishes for the move

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  57. Ooooo, beautiful butterfly, I especially like the background.
    I love altering frames, even if its just a bit of spray paint to make it match a room. You can see one I've done HERE

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    1. p.s
      UKS name Sylphraven (nearly forgot ;)

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  58. Love this, very pretty! x

    UKS - Clairewill

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  59. Gorgeous butterfly, thank you for a really inspiring project :)
    topsy UKS

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  60. Very pretty, love how you have used the hearts for the butterfly body. UKS - Scrappyyo

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  61. lovely butterfly picture, hope the move goes well.
    UKS - Tracey04

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  62. Love your project- I haven't done much with mixed media ....yet! I love the idea of recycling and using things that you already have .
    good luck with the move :)

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  63. Love the colours in this project and would love to give something like this a go in the future. Thanks for the inspiration and good luck with your move to Aussie. Mary x

    scarymary555 on UKS

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  64. Gorgeous project - really stunning.
    Good luck with the move and I hope that as the cyber world knows no boundaries I will still 'see' you around xxx

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  66. Very pretty picture, love butterflies, and good luck for your move! UKS... Bubbleblitt

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  67. Beautiful and something that would look perfect in my home. Thank you for the tutorial. Love, stillcrafting from UKS xx

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  68. Amazing and inspiring. Hope it reminds you of home and good luck with your move x uks name - poetcrafty xx

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  69. what a lovely project---alibi

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  70. excellent project that I may be trying myself :)

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    1. oops, forgot to leave my UKS name.

      NIKIG

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  71. LOvely project. Good luck with the move. UKS - Tagsie

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  72. beautiful - I love it

    cantstopstampin

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  73. Beautiful project! - Cassia

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  74. Lovely inspiring project. Hope the move goes well. UKS - Jolene

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  75. Commenting again cos i forgot to add my user name this morning LOL

    Beanpie11 aka Debbie R

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  76. Beautiful work as ever Alison!

    Laura Godfrey

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  77. Love the print with the butterflies, I will use this as inspiration for a wedding layout I have to joanne

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  78. I have a frame I could use ..... Lovely piece of home decor, thanks

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  79. That's lovely Ali
    (Meggie on UKS)

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  80. Oh lovely! A great project to use things I've already got :)

    Stacey Scrapred on UKS

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  81. That is absolutely beautiful! Good luck with the move... jenx (uks wear crafts)

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  82. This is lovely. The frame makes such a difference to personalising the project.

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  83. This fabulous, so inspirational, will definately be having a go with a frame I have had for ages!

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  84. I'm not much of an alterer but this is lovely

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  85. wow it looks great!

    uks name - darm

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  86. Oops forgot to say my UKS name is Fizzydrink!

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  87. Lovely project (and sure I have all the bits to give it a go myself!).
    Hope all goes well with your move.
    UKS - mumof4girls

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  88. What a beautiful project - love the colour. Great photos and info - thanks. Good luck with your move. Gill x UKS name Seaside Crafter

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  89. A gorgeous project Ali :o) Great detailed instructions too.

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  90. Gorgeous project, good luck with the move. Make sure you pop in from time to time to let us know how your settling in. x

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  91. Gorgeous :D
    UKS PinkSparklyScrapper

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  92. Hi Ali - I love this butterfly!! And as you have given such great instructions I may just have a go myself :)- Going to miss you loads when you go to Oz :( Moi x

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  93. Very pretty and you can still be in UKS in Australia

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  94. by the way my e mail is rattytatty@mail.com now google won't let me change it

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