Thrifted Frames Two Ways
A few weeks ago I shared a thrifted frame upcycle over at Alderberry Hill. What I didn’t share was that that frame had a twin…well, a fraternal twin, but a twin, nonetheless.
There they are in all their thrifted glory…same frame, different art, both needing a lot of help! Originally I planned to put them both above our bed, but the spacing looked funny. I felt like I either needed three frames or one in that space, and since I only had two, I kept one for above the bed and allocated the other to hubby’s dresser space.
The frame I shared a few weeks ago got a few coats of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Pure White and some easy DIY art using my favorite program, Microsoft Word. I just found a piece of clipart I liked, cropped it, and adjusted the brightness to -100% to make it a silhouette:
I then used spray adhesive to attach it to scrapbook paper, popped it into my newly chalk-painted frame, and voila– new life for an incredibly dated piece!
The second frame was supposed to be the easier one, but that never really works out according to plan, right? I was just going to spray paint it to match our bedding, attach a wooden monogram that hubby got me for Mother’s Day {he knows me so well!}, and be done with it. The first time I spray-painted it, though, it was too blue.
I thought about leaving it that way, but the more I looked at it, the more neon it seemed, and I knew I wouldn’t be happy with it in the long run. I went back to the store, pillow sham in hand, and picked out a color that was a little less blue, a little more green. Yeah, no. Too green. Apparently teal is hard to match.
Between my OCD has-to-match-perfectly personality and apparent inability to choose the correct color of spray paint, I was worried that I was never going to find the perfect shade. {And I wasn’t sure how many more coats of paint my poor little thrifted frame could take!} Then while I was perusing the metallics for my gold cake stand organizer project, it came to me– a nice neutral silver could be perfect! So home I went with my third can of spray paint, fingers crossed that this one would actually work out. To my relief, it did. Finally!
Not only did I end up with a pretty sweet set of frames, but I got to add another monogram to my house as well, and I always chalk that up as a win! Take a look at the infamous before and after:
Love, love and more love! It’s amazing what a little {or a lot} of paint can do! Now if I could just finish the rest of the bedroom, I’d be set… 😉
Have you ever upcycled a thrift store find?
Beautiful transformation!
Thank you, Emily! Hope you are doing well! I bet your little man is just growing like a weed these days! Have a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
I love thrifting – its amazing what you can do with other peoples unwanted items. I’m on the look out for some frames to spray paint too. You did a great job, the deer one is particularly great looking.
Martina
Thank you, Martina! I agree–thrifting is the best! Thank you so much for stopping by my page! Have a great weekend!
~Abby =)
Love your frame upcycles and artwork!
Thank you, Anjana! I hope you’re having a great week!
~Abby =)
Abby, these are great! I love them both! I want a monogram like that soooooo bad!!! Excellent job, girlfriend!! Hope all is well with you!!~~Angela
Thank you so much, friend! I think hubby ordered the monogram from etsy. Monogram everything, I say! 😉 Thanks for stopping by! Hope your week has been wonderful!
~Abby =)
Bot frames are just adorable! I’m really liking the moose! (That’s the Canadian in my I guess!)
Thanks, Kathryn! Good to know about the moose. I have been calling it a deer. {My mega-hunter dad would be so ashamed! ;)} Thank you so much for stopping by! Have a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
I love both the frames and your posts I see at blog hops! I love that you did something different with each frame. I’m stopping by from Inspire Me Please (My posts are #7 How To Repurpose a Frame and #9 Super Creamy Pancakes)
Thank you so much, Carrie! I always find myself clicking on your links too! Heading over to check out your projects now. Hope you’re having a great weekend!
~Abby =)
I LOVE thrifting frames for new artwork, and I LOVE the way yours turned out! Awesome job.
Thank you so much, Val! Thrifting is definitely the way to go for frames…so many possibilities! Thanks for reading–have a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
Wow…I really love how it turned out ! You did a great job ! came from Liz Marie blog party ! Have a great weekend !
Thank you so much, Marlin! I just popped over to your blog and saw that you were in Lancaster recently! I live in Pittsburgh, which is not all that far away–small world! Thanks for popping over from the blog party! Have a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
Fabulous! I can’t even pick a favorite because they both turned out so beautiful. I love the idea of your monogram hanging in your bedroom. Beautiful! Have a great weekend!
Thanks, sweet friend! Apparently we were on the same wavelength last night and visiting each other’s blogs at the same time–what are the chances?! You know what they say…great minds think alike! 😉 Have a wonderful weekend, Kelly!
~Abby =)
I have never upcycled anything, but I have so many ideas, and on my summer bucket list… is to start tackling these projects!
Ooh I love a good upcycle! Have fun with your projects!!
~Abby =)
You did a great job transforming your frames. They have a great style. Colors and art in both are wonderful. Teal is a hard color to describe and match, many people have different idea what color teal actually is.
I was wondering about the “Image Editor” software that’s offered, do you use it and is it easy to figure out? I’m pretty digitally challenged but would like to learn some new things to better be able to make transfers I can use for my pillow covers and table runners. If you feel like responding please do so at: FurryKidzPaperworx@gmail.com Happy Summer
Thank you, Jane Ellen! I edit my images with three different programs: Microsoft Word, PicMonkey.com, and Photoshop Elements. I would say Photoshop is definitely the trickiest out of the three. Word is my go-to, just because I’ve been using it the longest and am the fastest at it. I mostly use picmonkey.com when I want to add a title to one of my pictures with an overlay and text. If you ever have specific questions about any of these applications when you’re making your transfers, feel free to shoot them my way and I’ll do my best to answer them! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hope you had a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
Just found your site!!
Now following!
Looking forward to keeping up and getting to know you!
I also have a design site, if you ever need a custom design, check out Christinaloranedesigns.blogspot.com
xo
Christina
Pieceitalltogetherx3.blogspot.com
Thank you so much, Christina! I checked out your design site–you are one talented woman! Thanks for stopping by my blog! Have a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
Your updated frames are beautiful 🙂
Thank you, Dee! I hope you had a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
Hope you don’t think I’m stalking you 😉 Would you mind to link this up to my blog hop? Frugal Crafty Home Blog Hop opens every Sunday night at 6 Central time and I’d love it if you stopped by! Thanks!!
https://carriethishome.com/2013/06/frugal-crafty-home-blog-hop-28/
I don’t think you’re stalking me! Lol! Thanks for the invite–I linked up! Have a great week!
~Abby =)
Hi Abby, I love your thrifted frames! I had to giggle when you called them fraternal twins. You wouldn’t believe how many cans of spray paints I have just because I couldn’t find a color I liked. I think the neutral silver looks great with your monogram. I hope you are having a great week!
Thank you, Melissa! I am building up quite the spray paint collection for the same reason! Oh well–just an excuse to find more painting projects to conquer! 😉 Hope you’re having a great week!
~Abby =)
Beautiful! I love them all!
Thank you, Alli! Hope you’re having a great week!
~Abby =)
Love, love, love your new looks!! Thanks for sharing! Pinning.
Thanks so much, Meegan! I’m so glad you stopped by! Have a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
I love both of these! And I’m blown away that you made that silhouette in Word!!! GET OUT! I’m absolutely going to try that!
Lol! Thanks, Kirsten! I admit, I use Word A LOT because it’s one of the easiest programs to maneuver around in. Maybe one of these days I’ll buckle down and learn a more technical program, but until then, Word it is! 😉 Thank you so much for stopping by! Have a great week!
~Abby =)
They both turned out beautifully! It’s amazing sometimes what a coat of paint (or 3 ;D) can do to transform a piece completely!
Thanks, Toni! Yes, thank goodness for paint, right?! I’m so glad you stopped by! Have a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
Thanks, Toni! Yes, thank goodness for paint, right?! I’m so glad you stopped by! Have a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
This looks awesome!!! We would love it if you would link up at our linky party:
https://www.lifewiththecrustcutoff.com/two-girls-and-a-party-linky-party-20/
Live every Wednesday to Sunday.
Hosted by:
https://www.lifewiththecrustcutoff.com/ Parrish @ Life with the Crust Cut Off
https://thissillygirlslife.com/ Dana @ This Silly Girl’s Life
We hope to see you there!
Thank you so much for inviting me, girls! I hope you’re having a wonderful Wednesday!
~Abby =)
Sounds like me!! 😉 lol Really… So funny. But they both turned out beautifully. I LOVE (love, love) the monogram one!! I need one just like it! 😉
I’m so glad you shared it on Project Inspired.
Nancy
Thanks so much, Nancy! Yes, I was definitely channeling you with all of the painting going on around here! 😉 Hope you’ve had a great week!
~Abby =)
Love it! The monogram and buck are awesome! Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof
I love the deer! My husband’s “man room” is next on my list and it would be a perfect fit. Thanks for the inspiration. Love your blog!
Ooh I’m so impressed that your hubby is letting you attack his man room! My hubby has his “cave” and I stay away, lol! Thanks so much for stopping by, Ashley! Hope you’re having a wonderful Sunday!
~Abby =)
Gorgeous, Abby! Amazing transformations!Thank you so much for sharing at Give Me The Goods Monday!
Jamie @
Better With Age
Thanks, Jamie! Thanks you for always hosting such a fun party! Have a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
looks great! what type of paper did you use for the white inner frame (the mat) around the moose picture? and how did you cut it?
Hi, GC! I just used the mat that came with the frame and spray painted it white. No cutting necessary. 🙂 Hope you’re having a great week!
~Abby =)