Up-cycled bargain frame

It's a new challenge over at "Love 2 Create Challenges" and as always the theme is "anything goes, mixed media inspired". For this challenge I have upcycled a plastic frame which was a shocking monstrosity (although you could see its hidden beauty) which I found in one of those £ shops. When I touched the outside edge of the frame, flakes of paint fell away. However as I want a distressed look to my frame, these missing pieces just added to the character.

I began by covering the frame in white gesso and applied this with my fingers to give a roungh finish. When dry, I silver metallic pan pastel to the inside edge and some of the raised partsd. I also added coarse white pearl pan pastel medium too to add a shimmering look. I sealed the pan pastel with a layer of Maimeri Matt Gel.

Next using the Magic Garden stamp set I began making my floral elements. Some of the flowers have been stamped on vellum, some on pearl card and other on water colour card. All were embossed with white embossing powder before being coloured with pan pastels.

I have layered all the elements and added extra ribbon, lace, die cut flourishes and paper flowers.

The sentiment was printed from the matching CD, Magic Garden Soup Stamp crafting kit and placed in the centre between the two mounts.

I do love how an unloved bargain can be transformed ... now to get on to the drawers full of items I have either bought, been given or found and give them a long over due make over too. I'm sure I can't be the only crafter who has drawers full of items they want to alter ...?

Lou
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Products and links:

PanPastel Ultramarine Blue	Turquoise Pan Pastel	Silver Metallic PanPastel	White COARSE Pearl Medium for PanPastels
Maimeri White Gesso	Maimeri Matt Gel	Stamp Soup Magic Garden Stamp Set CD Rom	Stamp South Magic Garden Stamp Set

Challenges:
Crafty Catz - anything goes
Creative Fingers - anything goes
Creative Artiste - anything mixed media
A bit more time to craft - anything goes
More Mixed Media - anything goes with option of blue
Classic Design Team - anything goes
Happy Little Stampers - mixed media
Rhedd's Creative Spirit - mixed media (anything goes)