DIY--framed

My idea for this week's DIY project party at Kimba's place was ripped straight from the walls of the Cinnamon Shore Southern Living Idea House that I told you about the other day. {As you scroll through the many pictures in that post, look for the shots of the stairway leading up to the 3rd floor and you'll see two black, open frames, each with a sea shell hanging by a ribbon, on the wall.}

I loved the way the open frames allowed for the wall color to mat the items being framed. I thought it really made the "art" pop. I also loved how simple it looked while making a striking statement.

It was a simple, striking statement, I guess.

I'm redundant, I suppose.

Since last week I wrote a story book with characters before you even got to the pictures of my DIY project, I will just get right down to it this week. I didn't take pictures of the individual materials or of me shopping for these things at Hobby Lobby {you're welcome}, so I'm just zooming in to show you the work.

First, you pick out a frame you like, an object to frame, and some ribbon on which to hang said object. In this case, I was a big fat copy cat and used a lion's paw shell like they did in the idea house {a starfish would work just as well--so would a silver baby cup--or a silver baby comb-n-brush set in two frames--CUTE!} .

Next, fold your ribbon to the length you want your shell to "sit" in the frame and hot glue it to the back of the shell. I glued mine at the top of the shell and at the fold of the ribbon. I also hot glued the ribbon to itself, behind the shell.

Then, hammer in a saw-tooth hanger at the top of the frame; I just went right through the ribbon so it would all stay together.

Since my frame was smaller than the idea house's, I didn't use much ribbon inside the frame. To add a little more of that pop of color, and to help balance the big-ish shell in my small-ish frame, I tied my ribbon in a knot and let the strands trendil down from the top of the frame. Here it is hanging on the wall...



and now zoomed out so you can see the whole space.










Easy peasy, lemon squeazy {or however that saying goes}.

And cheap. The frame was $15 {a ready-made, open-backed frame that was 50% off}, the shell was around $1.50, and the ribbon was $1-something a yard, which is all I used.

Total cost: less than $20 with tax.

If you were super frugal and super nimble and like to dumpster-dive, like Kimba, you could get a frame for a whole lot less...maybe even free.

So what are you going to frame?

Don't forget to check out the other DIY projects at Kimba's par-tay.