FEATURED IDEA
Decorate Your Walls With a Touch of Spring

Do-it-yourself Rating: Intermediate

 


Welcome the colors of Spring into your home by framing pressed or dried flowers. Framed flowers can add color, cheer and a touch of nature to any room of your house. This project has an intermediate rating, so even the most novice crafters can create a floral work of art.

Our example shows the 3903 Blonde Inclination wood frame, Whitecore Mat Board C3364 Green Apple, Papermat Mat Board 754 Porcelain, Standard Mounting Board, and Plexi-glass, all custom cut to 11-1/2" x 13-1/2". For your project, simply apply the following steps using your dimensions and product selections.

 
 

Materials:
- 11-1/2" x 13-1/2" 3903 Blonde Inclination wood frame
- 11-1/2" x 13-1/2" Whitecore Mat Board C3364 Green Apple with 3" border (Bottom)
- 11-1/2" x 13-1/2" Papermat Mat Board 754 Porcelain with 2-3/4" border (Top)
- 11-1/2" x 13-1/2" Papermat Mat Board 754 Porcelain without window
- 11-1/2" x 13-1/2" Mounting Board (foam core) 2 pieces
- 11-1/2" x 13-1/2" Plexi-glass
- Dried or silk flower(s)



You will also need:
- a regular screwdriver
- glue
- adhesive transfer tape
- dust cover trimmer
- Kraft paper


Need to stock up on any of these items?
Click on the following:

Adhesive Transfer Tape
 Dust Cover Trimmer

Let's Get Started!


STEP 1
Select frame and mats.

Select a frame and mat colors that suit both the style of your home and the flowers being framed. When choosing your mats remember to order a solid piece of board without a window opening. This will serve as the mounting surface for your decorations. You can then use a single or double mat and make it dramatic with an oval, arch or rectangular window opening to "frame" your arrangement.


STEP 2
Cut riser strips.

Using one of the pieces of mounting board, cut twelve 1" x 11-1/2" strips. These will be used as riser strips to build a shadow box effect between the mat boards.

  


 
STEP 3
Create riser sections.

Using adhesive transfer tape, attach three of the 1" x 11-1/2" strips together. Do this four times for the top and bottom and sides. Once completed you will have four 1" x 11-1/2" riser sections that are approximately 1/2" thick.

 
 
STEP 4
Adhere riser sections.

Take the four 1" x 11-1/2" foam core riser strips and adhere them to the top (color side) of your background mat board (the mat board without the window). Attach them to the outside edges of the mat board using adhesive transfer tape.

Need adhesive transfer tape? Click here.

  


 
STEP 5
Mounting your display.

Arrange your dried or silk flower(s) and secure them to the back mat board with glue. Ours was centered with the mat board opening. (Depending on your project, floral wire can also be used)

  


 
STEP 6
Secure the mat boards in frames.

Place your frame face down. Insert the mat boards with window cut outs into the back of the frame. Place the back mat board, with risers attached, on top of them thus creating a shadow box effect.

  


 
STEP 7
Secure arrangement in frame.

Finish by placing the remaining piece of foam core mounting board into the frame, provide a stable backing surface. Using your screwdriver, install spring clips to the frame to hold everything in place. (For this example we used a Point Driver to secure everything in place because it is easy to use).

Need a Point Driver? Click here.

  


 
STEP 8
Apply the dust cover.

Apply a dust cover by putting adhesive transfer tape on the back of the frame and placing Kraft paper onto it. Using the Dust Cover Trimmer, carefully trim off excess paper. To tighten the paper backing, use a spray bottle to mist water on the dust cover and let it dry for a few minutes.

Need a Dust Cover Trimmer? Click here.

 

 





 

Here are a few tips to help when framing your flowers.

  • When selecting a frame, make sure the rabbet depth is deep enough to accommodate the double mats, riser strips and back mat board. Our Inclination 3904 frame has a 3/4" rabbet.

  • You will notice that the riser sections of foam core are at least 1/2" from the edge of the mat board window opening. This ensures that they will not be visible in your finished piece. A good rule of thumb is that this space should be at least the same as the thickness of your riser sections.

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