Easy, Inexpensive Summer Swing Frame Art

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 Decorating without spending a small fortune has always been a goal of mine, so let me show you how to make this sweet framed art for your home!  

Welcome to the Creative Craft Hop hosted by Sara from Birdz of a Feather.  If you just came from Cecilia @ My Thrift Store Addiction, Welcome to the Cottage!  At the bottom of this post I'll direct you to the next stop on this hop, but be sure to visit all of the other stops for some amazing inspiration. They will all be listed.
This post may contain affiliate links.

This project started with one of those swing frames found at an estate sale/yard sale.  I used another one for Valentine's Day and this one was just waiting on the sidelines.  If you don't have a swing frame, don't stress.  Any frame will do!
It was given two coats of chalk paint and then distressed with sandpaper. 
A little clear wax and the frame was done. 
 Since this frame had no glass or backing, I cut a piece of chipboard to fit.
Aaaand, since nothing old is square, I trimmed a bit off one side for a better fit.
Now for the 'Art'. The dollar store sells the adorable sets of stickers that are 'popped' with foam tape.  Take a look:
Yes, I bought 3.  My philosophy is 'buy it when you see it'!

The best part of these sticker sets is that the entire back is a sticker.  
That's right, you can use the entire thing. 
There was one drawback....the item number was stuck in the middle of the entire scene.  Ugh!
So, I tried scraping it off, thinking it might blend in.  
It didn't - HA!

Time to get creative.  I cut a thin strip off the bottom.

Then I placed the item number sticker and cut out around it.
It went back in the same spot and that was that!
The entire sticker was peeled off the backing...
...and placed on a piece of white cardstock.
Then it was added to a piece of gingham paper using a tape runner.  I didn't want to use liquid glue since the gingham paper was quite thin.
The entire thing was then added to the chipboard.
Glazing points were used to hold it in place.

Easy, Inexpensive Art!

Off you go to the dollar store to grab your sets of stickers, but before you run off, did you see my Glam Girl Planter?  She really is fun so be sure to check her out!  


Don't forget this is a hop so it's time to visit Jenna @ The Painted Apron.  Once you've stopped by to see her, be sure to visit all of the others for more inspiration!

  Here's the list:

Glue Gun Caddy


Easy and Quick Way to Recover an Outdoor Bench Cushion


Lavender Frost Daisy Catchall Dish


Repurposed Old Window


Word Art Design


DIY Painted Rocks For Grandkid's Garden Area


Fragrant Honeysuckle and Rosemary Luminary


Easy Inexpensive Swing Frame Art



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Comments

  1. sara allenMay 14, 2024 at 7:31 AM

    I love how you upcycled the swing mirror Ann. These are so out of fashion as mirrors but make awesome frames! By the way, great thinking to hide the item number; how annoying it's even there!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnMay 14, 2024 at 7:25 PM

      Thank you so much, Sara. I was not going to let a poorly place number ruin my plans!

      Delete
  2. AnonymousMay 14, 2024 at 8:43 AM

    How cute is this! I just purchased the same type of sticker for a project. Great minds think a like. Your repurposed mirror turned out wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnMay 14, 2024 at 7:26 PM

      Thank you so much. I hope you'll share what you do with your sticker!

      Delete
  3. Gail @Purple Hues and MeMay 14, 2024 at 10:14 AM

    You are the Queen of Upcycling, Ann! Your swing-frame art is so adorable! And you certainly have a keen eye on finding just the right accessories for updating! What a great project!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnMay 14, 2024 at 7:20 PM

      That's so sweet of you to say, Gail, and you know how I love to upcycle! When I saw the stickers in the store, I knew I could think of something to do with them.

      Delete
  4. thepaintedapron.comMay 14, 2024 at 11:24 AM

    So cute and creative Ann! I love those sweet sticker sets, but how dumb to have the item number on them like that~ good job getting rid of it! The sticker looks so cute on the pink gingham. I need to get a tape runner, how handy, thanks for the link~
    Jenna

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnMay 14, 2024 at 7:22 PM

      Thank you so much, Jenna, and I couldn't agree more about the item number! Tape runners are the best. I use them all the time for card-making and scrapbooking.

      Delete
  5. My thrift store addictionMay 14, 2024 at 12:07 PM

    ANN, what a clever way to use this frame and I love the cute dimensional stickers!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnMay 14, 2024 at 7:24 PM

      Thank you so much, Cecilia. I love the stickers too and can't believe they were at the dollar store!

      Delete
  6. Kim May 14, 2024 at 8:52 PM

    Ann this is just lovely, so sweet and perfect for the warm months! You're not going to believe it, but I found one of these sticker sets at my Dollar Tree this week. I'm so excited to get crafty now. Thanks for the inspiration!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnMay 15, 2024 at 7:27 PM

      I DO believe you found one of these and I'm sure you'll do something fabulous with it! The dollar store is full of surprises these days, isn't it?

      Delete
  7. Joanne May 15, 2024 at 6:57 AM

    That is so pretty! What a great idea.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Vintage Style GalMay 15, 2024 at 10:21 AM

    I am in love with that swing frame Ann, you always find so many wonderful things from estate sales. I would have never guessed your scene was from a dollar store. It is so cute!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnMay 15, 2024 at 7:30 PM

      Thank you so much, Cara. Aren't those sticker great? So many possibilities!

      Delete
  9. KathyMay 15, 2024 at 5:38 PM

    Love those stickers and really enjoyed seeing how you upcycled that old frame. What a coincidence. Last week I hit my local Dollar Tree and bought 2 packages of those stickers. I used the one you showed with the daffodils and watering can. I put it inside one of those fake empty books. I wallpapered the "lid" with brick wall paper and put a nursery catalog picture of daffodils at the bottom. I used thicker doubleside tape to round the bucket of daffodils and put some dark green moss behind it. I will add several potted plants and a summer hat to add to the 3-D-ness of it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnMay 15, 2024 at 7:33 PM

      That sounds amazing, Kathy! I was thinking of an altered book idea and it sounds close to what you did. Do you have a picture? I'd love to see it!

      Delete
  10. Carol@BlueskyatHomeMay 15, 2024 at 6:30 PM

    Ann, I love reusing the little swing frames. What a great find. Your sticker pictures remind me of the paper art my mom made by cutting out parts of the same print and layering them with sticky pads. Then she would frame them. There was a name for the medium, but I don't remember it. This framed art would be so sweet on a nightstand or in a guest bathroom.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnMay 15, 2024 at 7:34 PM

      Thank you, Carol. I guess everything old is new again!

      Delete
  11. Donna @ Modern on MonticelloMay 16, 2024 at 12:13 PM

    I love the swing frame. I haven't seen any in thrift stores but I will be looking. And I just love how you took something that I would have just seen as another set of stickers and made it into a beautiful piece of art instead. I always enjoy your posts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnMay 16, 2024 at 7:35 PM

      Thank you so much, Donna. I actually ended up with 3 of them. I think they unique and have so much potential!

      Delete
  12. AnonymousMay 17, 2024 at 8:38 AM

    Not sure if you'll get this bc this format never lets me sign in, BUT...I think this is super clever! I've purchased some vintage dressers in the past and they often have this type of mirror attached. It's a great way to repurpose the top! - Em D (em@DustandDoghair.com)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnMay 17, 2024 at 4:50 PM

      Thank you and I know exactly what you're talking about. I've seen a few of those mirrors in my travels. This is the smaller version.

      Delete
  13. PaulaShort May 20, 2024 at 10:09 AM

    Ann, I love this!! It's so pretty.
    Visiting today from Talking About It Tuesday 20 #33,34&35

    ReplyDelete

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