"Life is Good" Photo Transfer Nautical Frame

"Life is Good" Photo Transfer Nautical Frame

Posted by DecoArt on Nov 2nd 2015

Capture a memory by the sea in this unique frame that will keep on giving.

SUPPLIES

    • water container
    • palette or plastic plate
    • paper towels
    • sandpaper
    • scissors
    • pencil
    • 3/4" flat brush
    • photo of your choice
    • sponge
    • brayer
    • cosmetic sponges
    • wooden frame
    • 12" x 12" basswood canvas
    • E6000 Glue

    INSTRUCTIONS

    NOTES:

    Let dry completely between painting steps.

    1. Use a 3/4" flat brush and Vintage to paint the entire wooden canvas. Rinse brush. let dry completely.
    2. Instruction #1
    3. Hold the frame over the part of the canvas where you will later attach it. Use a pencil to trace the opening in the frame.
    4. Use the 3/4" flat brush and Everlasting to paint where the photo will be. Use the same brush and color to dry-brush over the Vintage. Rinse brush. Let dry completely.
    5. Instruction #3
    6. Print off the laser jet image and cut out with scissors. (See helpful hint below.)
    7. Instruction #4
    8. Use a 3/4" flat brush to apply Americana Decou-Page Photo Transfer Medium to the face of the photo and the Everlasting-painted rectangle. Rinse brush. Let dry completely.
    9. Repeat the application to the face of the photo and canvas surface, immediately pressing the photo face-down on the canvas. Use a brayer or old credit card to smooth out any wrinkles or air bubbles. If any excess Decou-Page comes out of the sides, wipe immediately off with a paper towel. Do not let any dry on the back of the photo.
    10. Instruction #6
    11. Use sandpaper to distress more so that both Vintage and Everlasting are showing. (It is personal preference on the final look.) Wipe all dust off with a paper towel.
    12. Instruction #7
    13. Place the Americana Decor Nautical Knot Stencil on the canvas so the rope is on the edge of the canvas corner. Load a cosmetic sponge with Heirloom to pounce over the rope's two sides. Flip the stencil over so it gets the other two sides. (I only added the rope on the bottom of the canvas away from the photo so the frame could fit later.) Remove and wash the stencil. Let dry completely.
    14. Instruction #8
    15. Place the Americana Motivation Stencil centered under the photo, giving a few inches for the frame to be added later. Load a new cosmetic sponge with Relic to pounce on the words "Life is good". (Or your choice of phrase.) Remove and wash the stencil.
    16. Instruction #9
    17. Use a 3/4" flat brush and Relic to basecoat the frame completely. Rinse brush. Let the frame dry completely. Use a fine-grit sandpaper to lightly distress the frame, using only one direction. Wipe off sanding dust with a damp paper towel.
    18. Instruction #10
    19. Follow the directions on the Americana Decou-Page Photo Transfer Medium package on wait time before continuing with the next step.
    20. Instruction #11
    21. Use a brush or sponge to dampen to the photo and let it sit two minutes.
    22. Instruction #12
    23. Use a finger or smooth sponge to rub the photo backing off in a circular motion. (Keep the photo damp and wipe off the little pieces as often as possible so you don't tear the photo) Let dry to see if any paper comes back up. If it does, repeat the wetting the photo and rubbing softly.
    24. Instruction #13
    25. When you think you have all the backing off, re-wet the photo and use the 3/4" flat brush to apply more Decou-Page Photo Transfer Medium on top of the photo to seal and protect it. Rinse brush.
    26. Instruction #14
    27. Flip the frame over to the back and make random dots of E6000 Glue over the solid areas. Let sit two to three minutes.
    28. Instruction #15
    29. Adhere the Relic-distressed frame on top of the photo with the window lined up evenly. Let that set up. Use the 3/4" flat brush to apply Ultra-Matte Varnish all over the entire project to seal. Rinse brush.
    30. Instruction #16