Clear Scraps Project Post

Hello all!  Maureen here, and happy to report that I am decorated for Fall!  Sometimes I can't decide if I want to go overboard on Halloween decor or if I want to put out Harvest themed items.  I have a set of fabric pumpkins that I love in my stash of decorations – and they do both.  This project was inspired by that – because all I do when Halloween is over is turn them around.  I'm going to show you how to do that with the Clear Scraps Square Frame and Base.

I've picked colors and paper that will work for both themes, and have painted the first base of the frame with black acrylic paint.  The bottom base is covered with an orange polka dot paper, which I've attached with decoupage. Glue these together, and include a slit for the frame.  I'm setting aside some paper to cover the frame next.

To do this, I trace the frame with pencil on the paper, then cut out the shape and the middle.  This is again attached with decoupage and allowed to dry thoroughly.

Now, for this project, I've also chosen the Word and Shape Fall set to add to my frame.  I've started with painting the pumpkin in the following stages.  First, base coat the pumpkin on both sides in an orange acrylic paint. Next, mix a bit of the orange paint with one drop of white paint, and sponge a circle in the middle on one side of the pumpkin. 

After that dries, do it again but do a 3 to 1 mix of white to orange.  This will give your pumpkin face a "glow."

Okay – I hear it all the time…I don't know how to paint!  I can't do faces, shading, round circles, etc.!  Well, yes you can – by using a few tools to "cheat."  Ha! First, the Jack O' Lantern face:  take a black permanent marker and draw the outline of the pumpkin face, and some dimension lines, then color it in (or paint if you prefer). 

When that's finished, find a good white gel marker and draw a small line and a dot on one edge of your details.  Try to stick to one edge so it's uniform.  If you mess up?  Paint over it and try again!

Here's a close up of our glowing face!

For the other side of the pumpkin, take a dowel or pencil head and dip it in white acrylic paint.  Make dots in a pattern across your pumpkin and let dry.

Then, take a Q-Tip and dry brush just a tiny bit of white paint (make sure it's almost dry!) or white chalk ink on one edge of each polka dot.  Next, take some dark green paint, paint the stems…and for dimension you can do the white brush trick again with white or orange, or speckle the white paint on top with a toothbrush.

To get the ombre look on the word "Fall" I've decided to use Distress Oxide inks, because they blend so well.  You may want to consider spraying these with an acrylic coat to avoid smearing.  I've done a white painted base coat first, then sponged yellow in the middle, orange at the top, and finally red on the top edge.

Here's the fun part – I've cut 2 different sayings on my electronic die cut machine, and used the 'offset' feature so they have a shadow.  One is in black and white for Halloween, and one is in a Fall plaid scheme.  These are both about 5" in length. 

Adhere the top letters on with glue (or pop dots) and then attach velcro pieces to the back.  Line them up with the coordinating dots on the right side of the frame.  This will allow you to switch the titles out with the seasons!

My pictures are simply set inside the square of the frame.  It won't be in an area where they fall out, so I just put one in front of another when I'm ready to change them.  But, if you'd want them more stable, you could use double sided removable tape or more velcro dots too. 

I've also added a small wooden leaf to the Fall polka dotted pumpkin also.  Here's the Halloween side – my cuties are grown now, but this was one of my favorite pictures and I'm glad I have the Square Frame to put it in!

Here's the Fall side, close up…this is a great way to secure great memories of the kids when they are little. 

I really enjoyed this little project!  Clear Scraps Square Frame and Base  will last me all through Fall, and I can change it up by flipping the pieces around and reattaching them when I feel inspired.  Below are other supplies I've used.  I hope you give the frames a try by switching them up like this – check them out on the Clear Scraps site.  Until next time!

Maureen

Additional supplies used:

White, orange and black acrylic paint, patterned paper, decoupage, Distress Oxide Inks (various colors), Fall leaf wooden embellishment, black marker, white gel pen