The First step is to paint your frame the color you like. Unfortunately my frame was black and I wanted it pink so it took me a few coats but it is doable. After my first few coats I added some Tim Holts Crackle paint over top to give it a cool vintage look. Once it is all dry lightly coat the entire frame in Mod Podge to seal it.
Then take the mat and cut a piece of patterned paper the right size. Cut a hole a little smaller than the opening and adhere it to the mat with a light coat of Mod Podge. Cut diagonal slits in the corners of the picture hole in your paper.
Lightly coat the inside of the paper with Mod Podge then carefully fold over the edges sealing of your picture opening and giving you nice clean edge. Then cut a piece of cardstock a little bigger than your opening and adhere it inside the opening. After this step I completely coated my entire project in Mod Podge to seal it.
Now it is time to embellish. For mine I added a strip of ribbon about an inch from the bottom of my mat. I attached it just with my tape runner and it seemed to stick quite well. On top of that I glued a Prima flower and added a title with American Crafts Thickers. I dressed them up with a little Shimmerz paint to give them a glittery shiny look.
I then added my picture inside the picture opening and placed the mat inside the frame. I had to get rid of the glass but that was okay with me. I then wanted to add something to the upper right hand corner so I dressed up a Maya road sheer butterfly with some Shimmerz paint and Kaiser Rhinestones and Glue dotted it in place.
I hope you try this at home. I would love to see your altered items!
