altered window frame tutorial and scotch tape giveaway!

Thanks to Scotch(R) Double Sided Tape for sponsoring my writing about crafts. Add your comment below to be entered for a chance to win free sample rolls to help with your upcoming holiday needs!

And yes, this project does use Scotch tape. It's one of my favorite projects. In fact, I don't have little girls, but i loved this Dear Lizzy paper by Elizabeth Kartchner so much that I decided to use it anyway (have you seen her new Enchanted and Christmas lines, too? Adorable!). So if you do have a little girl and want this for her room, contact me--it's for sale!

Altered Window Frame Tutorial


Supplies:

*Wood window frame with glass panes in tact
*Coordinating patterned paper
*Paper trimmer or scissors
*Bone folder or similar tool
*Scotch tape
*Optional: drawer pulls, hand drill, and heavy-duty glue (like E6000 or Gorilla Glue)

First, find an old, wooden window frame. You can find these at flea markets, antique stores, and even garage sales. Prices can range from a few dollars to $35+. For this project you'll want it to have glass panes. We'll show you a few other uses for window frames in the future, so if you find a great frame that you love, by all means, buy it! You'll regret it later if you don't (believe me).


Next, chip loose paint off. Old paint often contains lead, which can be dangerous for children if ingested, so you want to get as much off as possible. Then use an electric sander (or a piece of sandpaper and some elbow grease) to sand it smooth. If you don't like the shabby chic look, you could tape off the windows at this point and paint the frame. I left this one as is.



Arrange your papers under the windows until you have an arrangement you like.


Cut your papers to the size of the wood frame for each window pane (this will make them slightly larger than your glass). This is a good thing.


Take a bone folder and crease each edge so the paper is flush with the glass. This will create a little lip of paper around the edge of the pane.


Now tape each lip to the wood frame with some good ole' Scotch tape. You could glue it, but I liked this option because I can easily remove the paper if I ever want to update it down the road.


Use your bone folder to smooth out the tape and make sure all your papers are secure.


Repeat with remaining panes.


Isn't it looking pretty?




If you want to have knobs for hanging, position your drawer pulls evenly across the bottom side of the frame. I found my pretty, vintage knobs at Anthropologie. They were pricey, but so worth it. They really make it. To attach knobs, mark the spot and drill a hole the same size as your knob. Squeeze a little glue inside the hole and stick the screw end of your drawer pull inside. Allow to dry before using your new hook.


Lastly, I added a couple of window hanging attachments to the back so I could hang it on the wall.


I thought it needed one more little touch, so I added a simple paper flower wreath hanging from the front. (See the amazing inspiration wreath here.) I simplified it a lot, but basically, I cut four-petaled flowers in several sizes with my Slice machine from coordinating/matching papers. Then I curled the petals with a pencil and stacked them up. I sewed a button in the middle to secure all the layers. Then I hot glued them to a wreath form. Easy, but time consuming. And worth it. I love the way it turned out!






Okay, thanks for reading all the way to the end of that long tutorial, even if it was just to find out about the Scotch tape giveaway! We will choose 10 random winners to receive 10 rolls of Scotch double-sided tape courtesy of 3M, just in time for holiday crafting! Just leave us a comment on this post--it can be about anything: what you'd use the tape for, how much you love my window, or what you're cooking for Christmas dinner. Just leave us some comment love by Friday, December 3 at 11:59pm PT and we'll pick 10 lucky winners! Good luck!

Please learn more about Scotch(R) Double Sided Tape and other Scotch(R) Products, and join the conversation on the Scotch(R) Brand Facebook Pageand via Twitter. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.