London Picture Frame

London Picture Frame

Create a memory frame from your summer vacation.  Use fabric dye to stain the unfinished wood, so the frame can be made any color you like.   Then glue souvenir magnets, ribbon or other memorabilia to the frame, creating a customized frame to highlight your personal memories.

Supplies

• Rit Golden Yellow Dye
• Unfinished 5” x 7”wood picture frame
• 2 London souvenir magnets:  double-decker bus & teddy bear
• ½ Yd. red, white & blue stripe ribbon
• 2-Cup glass measuring cup & metal spoon
• Rubber gloves
• Fine sandpaper (#220) or steel wool
• Tack cloth
• All-purpose craft glue
• Needle & thread
• Clear polyurethane
• Brushes:  1” foam, 1” chip
• Plastic wrap
• Paper towels
• Plastic drop cloth
• Optional:  Jelly jars for storing dyes

Instructions

1. Cover work surface with a plastic drop cloth.
2. Remove glass from picture frame and sand wood lightly.  Remove dust with tack cloth. 
3. Dye Preparation:  Wear rubber gloves when mixing dyes.  For powdered dye, pour dye into a glass measuring cup and add 2 cups boiling water or very hot tap water.  Stir until dye is dissolved.  For liquid dye, pour ½ cup dye into measuring cup, and add 2 cups very hot tap water.  (Note:  When staining wood, keep dye hot for better absorption. Dyes can be stored in jelly jars and reused several times. Stored dyes must be reheated in the microwave before use.  Cover with plastic wrap and heat on high for 2 minutes or until steam is created.)
4. Prepare Golden Yellow dye and brush to front and back of picture frame. Allow to dry.
5. To seal the dye-stained wood, apply one or two coats of polyurethane.  Rub lightly with sand paper or steel wool between coats.  Allow to dry.
6. Glue magnets to bottom left of frame.
7. Fold ribbon back and forth to create a flat bow.  Stitch layers together with a needle and thread. 
8. Glue ribbon to upper right corner of frame.