Altered photo frame step-by-step feat. Little Birdie Chalk Paints and Color Splash sprays

Hello, dear craft-y people!

Summer's approaching at a menacing speed here in Hyderabad and days are sunny !! So today I thought of bringing some breezy summer colors for you. :D

Ever since I set my eyes on Little Birdie matte chalk paints, I've been on a rampage (almost!) altering items at home! The latest to fall prey was a photo frame which had started to show signs of weathering and was waiting to be given a face-lift.

Well, I'd like to think it has been a face-lift. I'll leave that to you to decide. I'll go through the steps of altering this photo frame in my post below :)

Here is what I started with...a canvas photo frame which I painted white with gesso. Once the gesso was dry, I layered bits of lace, trim, doilies, chipboard shapes, and gauze on the frame (all from the store). I added further texture using modelling paste and the honeycomb stencil.

Next, I primed the frame with gesso for a second time (this time covering the textures) followed by Chalk Paint in Sailing Sky (applied this only on the textured areas.)

I left this coat of paint to dry thoroughly and then went over the entire frame with Chalk Paint in Snow (White). Using a slightly damp baby wipe, I wiped the white paint off the textured areas. (I painted a small area at a time because chalk paint dries very fast.)

I felt the palette could use a little warmth so I dabbed Little Birdie Lime Splash over parts of the frame. (I used a rolled up baby wipe as a paint dauber.)

Where the color looked too intense or a harsh line was visible, I dry-brushed gesso to tone down the lines.

The altered frame was nearly ready! All that was needed to be done was adding a sentiment, flowers, and some chipboard. I prepped my chipboard using gesso and Lime Splash.

Here is the final altered photo frame--I did random script stamping and doodling to make the colors and textures pop. I also lightly inked the flowers with Lime Splash and gesso.