A Merry Little Christmas Frame

Reported by Julia Stainton

As far back as I can remember...I've always love crafting for Christmas. Cut-out snowflakes, construction paper chains, paper angels, you name it...I'm sure I've done it. I was the child with stars in her eyes and glue, paint and glitter on her hands. Everywhere else too, I'm afraid. I still love crafting for Christmas, putting my own touch of creativity into gifts and decorations. As a busy mother of five though...my time is limited. I enjoy making things that are not only decorative but functional as well. And yes...I do not need projects that will take a week. I love projects that I can make quickly and will last for more than one season of storage.

Holiday frames are a natural for me. It is that time of the year where we are sure to take pictures to treasure and what better place to keep them, than in a Christmas frame? I can replace my year-round family portrait with a holiday one, perhaps even a special visit from Santa. This adds decoration to the walls and keeps my project safe out of the way of those darling little hands. I told you, I'm a practical girl now! I'd like to know...Exactly how many times can a Christmas Tree be rearranged during the month of December?!

When I start crafting a quick project, I love to pull out one of my favorite paper company's products. I just love Cosmo Cricket's great warm, homey look. It is perfect for the holidays and comes with a fabulous pre-distressed look that is so popular right now. Cosmo Cricket does all the work for you with their coordinating papers and accessories. I love Cosmo Cricket's Buck Naked Chipboard Ornaments. So darling, this chipboard line has a great variety of shapes and is so sturdy. Perfect for altered projects, and of course, frames. What I really like is the matching die cut paper shapes. I purchased this matching sheet and all I have to do is punch out the shapes and adhere them directly to the chipboard. So easy. So quick and it looks great. I just love the added dimension it gives to a project. Also fabulous is their Strip Tease sheets of patterned paper which feature strips of different patterns between great sentiments and quotes. So fun for adding to a scrapbook page, or in this case...an altered frame. Are you sensing a trend here? Strip Tease...Buck Naked...what is it with this company? (wink) I think they like having a lot of fun with their products! Take time to check out their web-site too. You'll find a fun sense of humor there as well.

To make this altered frame I started off with a 12x12 Jenn wood frame from Provocraft that I picked up at Michael's. Add some glue, sandpaper and a few other supplies and it was really quick to put together. Here's what you need...



Supply list:
Frame: Jenn 12x12 Wood Frame by Provocraft
Patterned Paper: Be Good Strip Tease and Believe from Be Good line by Cosmo Cricket (you may want to purchase other sheets for other projects as well as you are going to LOVE this line)
Die Cut Sheet: Be Good Button Fashions by Cosmo Cricket
Chipboard: Buck Naked Chipboard Ornaments by Cosmo Cricket
Ink: Bravo Burgundy by Stampin Up - or other burgundy or brown dye ink
Others: Chocolate Velvet Ribbon by May Arts, brad, sewing machine - optional, adhesive, Jolly Dovey Rub-ons - Cosmo Cricket

Instructions:

1. Apply glue liberally and smoothly to wood surface. Adhere paper and smooth out with hands. Cut out center panel. Sand edges of frame for a smooth finish.

2. Adhere paper die-cuts to chipboard shapes as desired. Sponge edges of frame and die-cuts with ink.


3. Cut desired panel from Striptease paper sheet. Zig Zag stitch panel if desired. Sponge edges and glue to frame front.


4. Embellish chipboard shapes with brads, ribbon etc. and adhere to frame front.


5. Apply LOVE rub-on transfer.


5. Insert photo, hang on wall and enjoy.

Now I can tell you...if you start this project, you are going to want to make more. The Cosmo Cricket die-cut sheets and matching Buck Naked Ornaments have so many pieces you can just keep going. Alter another frame, make mini frames, put them on cards, boxes, mantles, hang them on the tree...I know you can have a lot of fun with this product. Now that mine are out...I'm just going to keep on creating and having fun with them. You can purchase the Be Good line of Cosmo Cricket products at your local scrapbooking supply store or on-line from many sources.

Be Good to yourself this Christmas and take some time to enjoy yourself and to create some Cosmo Cricket holiday treasures.