DIY : Aged Paper Frames

Project Library is coming along nicely. It's one part therapy and one part I'm addicted to DIY projects. . . seriously - ask my husband.

I'm a thrift store junkie and love discovering fun items to hack into something awesome. Take these mismatched wooden frames for example. . . found these last year at a local dollar store and bought 12 of them. (mirrors included). I really didn't know what I was going to do with them at the time.

I recently made a book purse and saved the "guts" of the book (purchased for $2.00 at Goodwill) then it all came together. . .



:: Materials :: 

• wooden frames 
• Elmers Glue All 
• warm water
• plastic container with lid
• old tooth brush
• small paint brush
• cookie sheet or metal tray
• old book pages
• coffee
• large baking dish
• clear matter or gloss spray paint

:: Directions for Aging Paper :: 

• in large baking dish pour 1 cup coffee (warm)

• take pages from old book and soak until wet then place on cookie sheet

• "bake" paper at 350 for 2 minutes or until no longer damp and dry over night (DIY on how to age paper here)

:: Directions for Application to Frames ::

• Mix equal parts Elmers glue and warm water in plastic container and stir throughly

• Depending on size of frame fold aged book pages in half then half again to form 4 strips approx 1.5" wide

• With small paint brush "paint" glue on aged paper on a metal cookie sheet (trust me this will save you) until limp

• Prime frame with a brush of glue and carefully place paper on frame - taking time to wrap paper around edges (this will be sticky and be sure to wash your hands frequently to avoid glue debris that can stick to paper) use the toothbrush to smooth out any air bubbles.

• "Bake" frame at 350* for 2 minutes (carefully watch this process, you don't want to burn your house down) - if the frame is too big for the oven you can use a hair dryer. 

• Dry frames over night then coat with a clear matte or gloss spray paint.

Voila! You now have an aged frame that didn't break the bank!

For those looking to make a bigger statement you can also "paper" a wall and age it with tinted Briwax for added interest, or cover canvases then stencil your initials or your favorite quote . . .  like this one ::

The purpose - where I start - is the idea of use. It is not recycling, it's reuse.  - Issey Miyake

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What fun things have you done with aged paper?