Crafty Schmafty Fridays 2

Oh, how I love Fridays!

They are quickly becoming one of my most favorite days EVER! And not just because it marks the end of a hectic school and work week. Nope, not at all.

I love them because over here at From Chaos Comes Happiness . . .
        they are . . .

Crafty Schmafty Fridays!!!!

Wahooooie!

And my friends, I just LOVE getting my "Crafty" on!!!

Now, one little bit of business before we begin. I finally have my button ready for you to grab . . . so please venture over to the right side bar and take a look! I'd be absolutely honored if you would be so kind as to post my "Crafty Schmafty Fridays" button on your blog. Really . . . it would just thrill me! I'd love to see this become a great big Blog party each and every week, so please consider joining in! Whew . . . I'm glad the business is over.

Let's us continue, shall we?

WELCOME to this week's Crafty Schmafty Friday!!! And, oh, I think you're going to love what I did this time! It's a good one!

Last week I received a lovely message from someone at my Etsy shop, asking if I would be able to do a custom hand painted picture frame for her. She said ". . . my sister and brother-in-law recently had a baby girl, and I've called her child "Duckie" since before we knew she was pregnant! Now that the baby has arrived, I want to make a frame that says, "Duckie & Auntie B" with a baby duck painted on the frame. Is this something you think you can do?"

And my answer? OF COURSE!!!

So this week, I am sharing with you my process when making one of my hand painted picture frames. I start with a wooden frame that I have bought at Michael's, and then paint it a base coat in whatever color I wish.

For our "Duckie" frame, I started with soft blue (skies) and then added some textured stamps on the background.

Next, I have a whole box of thicker watercolor paper that I have previously painted in a variety of colors and styles. Some of them have patterns on it that I have done, others are just straight color. Once I have decided on the paper colors I am using, I start to cut the paper and make my design come to life.

All of the paper cutting that I do is done by hand. Nothing is pre-drawn. I just have the image in my mind, and know exactly how I want it to come out. After the shapes are cut, I usually ink the edges . . . just to add a little more definition to them.

I also type out whatever writing I want on the art piece, and then glue it all down.

Then the playing starts. I "dress it up" by adding my little touches here and there. Most is done with a marker or paint marker, and then I outline all the shapes once the glue has dried.

Finally . . . a coat of Mod Podge. (I love Mod Podge. I don't think I can live without it!)

And, my friends . . . the finished frame.

I sent the frame off to Auntie B. a couple of days ago. I can't wait to hear her response. I hope she loves it as much as I loved creating it!

These frames really are such fun to make, and something I have to add more of in my Etsy shop. Perhaps next week I'll have a "frame marathon" and see how many new designs I can make. That would be fun, don't you think?

So . . . I wonder . . . what have YOU done Crafty this week?

Let us know. Blog about it. Tell us about it. Link up below . . . we'll have a party. It's Friday, afterall. What better day to party, than today?

Wishing you peace, dear friends . . . and lots of schmafty crafts!