Saturday 9 January 2010

Altered photo frame, and a Light Tip!


My altered photo frame is finished! This is what it looked like originally. I gave the frame and base a couple of coats of gesso, and then sponged the base with Ranger Acrylic Dabbers. I picked up some of the paint on a fine paint brush and dotted it on to give the effect of flowers.Next I stamped the frame with various Elusive Images stamps from Graphicus, and dotted a few flowers on there too. The butterflies and toadstools (also Elusive Images) were made with shrink plastic & coloured with Promarkers. The photo frame, which is about 5" tall, came from Hobbycraft.


Now it looks like this!

The photo, by the way, is of the Black Water of Dee where it flows through part of the Galloway Forest Park, Dumfries and Galloway. That particular spot is known as the Otter Pool. We visited there a few years ago, and it's a most beautiful place. Do click on the picture to see the larger version.

During these dark and gloomy winter days, I've seen various people lamenting that they cannot get a good photo of their projects because of the lack of light. Here's a tip which might help. I use an energy saving high power (20w) daylight craft bulb in my desk lamp. It's made by the Daylight Company and is available directly from them or from Hobbycraft. It comes in bayonet or screw fitting, and although it's quite expensive (around £10) it's definitely worth every penny. It does have extra long life (claimed to last up to 8 times longer than a normal bulb - I can't verify that because I'm still on my first one, but I've had it quite a long time!) so really it's reasonably economical, and of course, environmentally friendly.

It gives a bright, white light close to normal daylight, so apart from the fact that it makes photography much easier, it's also a far better light for working under, meaning that your colours look natural and reducing eye strain. I might add that I have no connection with the Daylight Company whatsoever, but I do highly recommend these bulbs. I hope this information will be helpful.

9 comments:

craftimamma said...

All I can say Lynne is WOW!!!!! This is absolutely wonderful. You really have 'altered' the photoframe and much for the better I'd say.

Thanks for the tip about the Daylight buly too.

Lesley Xx

Paper Paradise said...

What a fantastic transformation. Love to see before and after photo's, great bit of altering! x

Sally H said...

Lynne that is stunning! I love it, particularly the bracket fungus! Wonderful transformation!

The Dolphin Inn said...

Fantastic work, the frame looks so different and soooooo much better TFS XXX

judith@poppy cottage said...

This is lovely Lynne, well of course, I'm going to have to do mine now! I love the little toadstools, they're so cute, and the photo just finishes it off perfectly. Just gorgeous! Judith xxx

Michelle said...

What a truly amazing masterpiece Lynne, so utterly beautiful! Where did you find that lamp?? Love the stamping too - just bought the fungi set cant wait to get stuck in. I lived for many years in Kirkudbright and know that stretch of the river well, have been there many times when there has been slight mist and no other visitors and it's like fairy land, so deep in history and magic. An awesome reminder of a special place.

Can we place orders now?? :)

x Michelle

Doreen said...

Oh wow this is a superb piece of work, it has been altered really well. I have been looking round your blog and I am very impressed xxx

Lesley said...

Wow Lynne! It is beautiful! xx

chris said...

What can I say very impressed, words are insufficient just amazing.
love chris xx