Tools of the Trade!
A few years ago I took a framing class at the local community college; it would be helpful (and money-saving!) to have the ability to frame my own artwork or any cross-stitch projects Mom, Sarah, and I might make for our home or as gifts. The teacher for the class was a professional framer from a nearby frame shop, and she brought examples for us to see and all her pro tools with which we could practice. I took lots of notes during each session, and by the final lesson, we had learned enough to complete our own project for the ending of the class.
A year or so later in 2004, I told Sarah I would frame a cross-stitch picture that I'd given her for graduation some months earlier. With a newly purchased Logan mat cutter, which I was able to get at a discount from Michael's craft store, acid-free mats in three carefully selected colors, and a few more necessary items such as a sheet of foamcore, a utility knife, stainless steel ball-point pins, glazier points, black craft paper, screw eyes, and hanging wire, I was ready to get started. Oh yes, let's not forget the frame itself! Dad contributed to my gift by making the beautiful wooden frame that matched the golden wood color in the cross-stitch picture.
Well, about as far as I got was the stretching of the fabric around a square of foamcore and securing it with pins; that was a task in itself to make sure everything was even. So for the last couple of years, the 32"x40" mats and stretched piece of fabric have been stored under my bed waiting to be finished, embarrassingly. Sarah has hinted a few times that she would like to see her present on the wall. :) So recently, after finding and buying a last few needed supplies, I decided to finish the project once and for all.
Above, I am placing a piece of glass that has been cleaned into the custom frame. Dad had almost forgotten he had made the frame for me. It is definitely too nice-looking to be hidden under my bed.
The next step was to attach the three mats I'd cut to each other using double-sided tape. At right I am using my handy new ATG (adhesive tape gun) dispenser to adhere the burgundy mat to the beige. I am using acid-free materials as much as I can, so this tape has a second use for more economical scrapbooking.
Here I'm securing the final layer of the green mat. So the two darker colors are the inner borders and the lighter beige will be more visible on top. The cutting and assembling of the mats were my favorite parts of the framing process.
One of the final steps was to push in the glazier points that hold everything in place on the back of the frame. Using a screwdriver helped drive the points into the hard wood all the way around. After that I only needed to ATG a dust cover over the back and add the hanging accessories--with the help of Dad's drill!
The completed picture is now hung in Sarah's bedroom. The Scripture verse featured is Song of Solomon 2:1. Without all the "tools of the trade," I could not have finished this project!
~Hannah
It's beautiful, Hannah! You did an excellent job on both the stitching and the framing. I'm sure Sarah is very pleased with your gift!
Posted by: Susan | Friday, November 02, 2007 at 04:14 PM
Great job, Hannah! I have a beautiful cross-stitch my sister in law gave me as a gift three years ago with tea cups and a verse from Lamentations...it is STILL not framed because Michael's cost was over $100 with the 50% off coupon!!!!! Wish I lived closer to you because I'd hire you to mat and frame it for me! :-)
Posted by: Dorothy | Friday, November 02, 2007 at 07:37 PM
It is gorgeous! I showed Mr. Wagner and he said to tell you that you will have plenty of work if you want it from the Wagner household!
Ask your Mom if that is the schoolroom in the background!
Posted by: Mrs. Wagner | Saturday, November 03, 2007 at 08:43 AM
Hannah,
That is a beautiful cross stitch and framing job! Congratulations!
Posted by: Sharon | Saturday, November 03, 2007 at 07:03 PM
Great job, well done Hannah!! You would never imagine how much it sounds like our house with the "waiting to get things done".:) We also enjoy crafts and after working on one cross stitch picture for about a year it was great to see it framed and hanging on my daughter's wall. Well, worth the work!
Posted by: Jane | Saturday, November 03, 2007 at 09:16 PM
It's lovely, Hannah!! It was interesting to read about how you matted it. :-)
Posted by: Abigail | Sunday, November 04, 2007 at 10:03 PM
WoW! Your project is so beautiful!! I love the mat colors that you picked out.
I love Paula Vaughan's cross stitch designs.
Love, Heather
Posted by: Heather | Thursday, November 15, 2007 at 08:09 AM