DIY Watercolor Painted Wooden Picture Frame – How To-sday

This month Michaels asked the Michaels Makers team to share our favorite summer celebration ideas. Mine is certainly not the first thing you’d think of for a summery party; there’s no barbecue, swimming pool, or American flag. Instead of choosing to go the patriotic or beachy routes, I decided to celebrate one of my dearest friends.

I recently had the privilege of co-hostessing a bridal shower/bachelorette party for my dear friend Eleftheria with our friend Priyanka. Eleftheria’s beautiful, sassy, Greek, and deeply detests being the center of attention, even for a moment… Fortunately, however, her friends are pushy enough to make sure she got her moment in the spotlight. Because some people just deserve a celebration, and celebrating them is the best feeling in the world.

I’ll be sharing more projects from this bachelorette party soon, but for now — for today, I’ll just stick with these pretty little picture frames that I made to match her wedding invitations. I created them using $1 wooden frames.

Yes — a dollar.

Be sure to check out all of the other Michaels Makers DIY summer party ideas on the Michaels blog.

Supplies:

• Unfinished wooden picture frames
• White acrylic paint
• Matte medium
• Liquid gilding (or gold acrylic paint)
• Watercolor paint
• Paintbrush

1.   Begin by painting an unfinished wooden frame white with plain old acrylic paint.

2.   When the coat of white paint has completely dried, brush on a thin but even coat of matte medium. This will smooth everything out and give the watercolor a good surface to adhere to.

3.   Mix up a thick watercolor or gouache in your color of choice, and brush it onto 2/3 – 3/4 of the frame. Brush it thicker on some parts than others.

Leave it aside to dry for about 2-4 minutes.

4.   Use a paper towel or soft cloth to blot away the excess paint. Don’t rub; just dab.

5.   Repeat Step 3 with the same color or layering a new color, overlapping some spots and painting new spots as well to give it more depth. Let it dry for a few minutes, and then blot again.

6.   Paint liquid gilding or gold metallic paint onto the outside and inside edges of the frame.

7.   Paint a thin line onto the front of the frame around the outside and inside edges as well to give it a really finished look.

From paper crafts, party goods and baking supplies to new outdoor lighting, glass and floral, Michaels is your DIY destination for all of your summer celebrations.