Tuesday Tutorial: Clothesline Frame

Hi, all!  It’s Jill here, with a can-do tutorial for this Farmhouse frame that was featured in the October Afternoon CHA-Summer 2011 booth.
 

List of Supplies: 

8” x 10” photo frame
spray paint
ruler
8 wood screws
screwdriver
4 lengths of sturdy twine or cord
craft glue or krazy glue
9 clusters of assorted papers, embellishments, and photos
9 mini clothespins

Instructions:  

1. Remove the glass and backing from the frame and discard or save for another purpose.  Go outside, place the frame in a box, and spray one side of it with your choice of spray paint.  Leave it in the sun to dry, and then flip it over and spray the other side.  When both sides of the frame are dry, take the frame indoors. 

 
2.  On a tabletop or other sturdy surface, lay the frame face down.  Using a ruler, measure where you would like to place the wood screws, marking the area with a pencil or marker.  Altogether, make eight marks, with three pairs on the sides to hang the clotheslines and one pair at the top to hang the frame itself.  Use a screwdriver to assist you with placing the wood screws.  Do not screw them all the way into the frame; leave them sticking out so that you can tie the cord to them later.  I streamlined  this step of the process by delegating the task to my husband. 

 
 
3. Create nine clusters or tags using papers and accents from your favorite October Afternoon line.  I used the Farmhouse collection here, including lovely vintage photos from the “Attic Trunk” patterned paper.  I pieced together the clusters before stringing them together, laying them out on my desk to get a sense of how they fit together.  I tried my best to work within an 8” x 10” space.

 
 
 
4.  I then clipped each of the clusters to the lengths of cord, three at a time, and wrapped and knotted the cord ends around the screws on the back of the frame.  To ensure that the knots would hold, I brushed on some krazy glue.  I trimmed the ends of the cord so that they would not be visible from the front. 

 
 
5.  Hang the frame by wrapping and knotting a length of cord around the two screws at the top of the frame, and then stare at the finished product with a goofy smile, be cause you’re DONE, and it looks fantastic!  

Since I know you’re longing to get a closer look at Farmhouse, here are some detail photos of the clusters:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The possibilities are endless on how you could also incorporate many of the different types of ribbon that May Arts offers into a project like this.  You could tie the frame up with a wide ribbon. Or you could add some trims to the tags or little clothespins for some extra embellishment. 

I said it before, and I’ll say it again:  this really is a can-do project!  If you attempt it, I would love to see the results in the Flickr OA gallery.  Happy creating!

Comments

[sharon wheet]

what a great and beautiful project! I'm off to the hobby store to purchase a frame! TFS!

[Paula Castells]

Amazing! Gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!

[Bonnie]

Wow!! Thank you so much for the awesome idea! I have been trying to figure out a rotating photo holder for grandbaby pics and this is nothing short of brilliant!And I even have baby clothes pins...now to find a frame! I'm going to put cool stuff hanging up with neat family sayings, and as I am sent photos in the mail, up they go, and when they come down I'll already have a good idea how I want to scrapbook them, I am so excited, been fretting on this for, well for way tooooo long! Absolutely Perfect, sigh, perfect!

[Karen K]

I love this project. You are so creative. Thanks so much for sharing this!

[Sara]

Thank you so much for the response, Jill. I really appreciate it! I could figure out how to perfectly divide the space between 9 sectors, but was not sure how to calculate for the overlap and slight hanging of the line. I guess that's why I'm not in a career which uses a lot of math :)
Again, beautiful project and I really can't wait to try it out!

[Becci Manies]

I always love to check the OA blog- this frame is PRECIOUS and it would make a great gift also. I would love love love to win Boarding Pass to create a mini album for our upcoming first vacation away in 8 years- we are going on a cruise!!! I am so excited! :)Thank you for the chance to win!

[Pam]

Great project! I'm trying this one!

[Jessica H]

Awesome idea and beautiful finished product. I will have to try this idea. Thanks for sharing.

[Jill Sprott]

Hi Sara! Re: "What size would you suggest making the nine cards?" I think I kept the width to about 2.25 inches and the length to no more than three inches. There were variations, though. Some overlap is good! :)

P.S. Thanks, everyone, for the comments!

[Denise Bryant]

What a fun idea with the frame! Love it! Great project for May Arts and October Afternoon products together!
DeniseB

[Vicki Harper]

Wow! That is great! I am going to make one!!

[Valerie M]

I saw this at CHA - it's just amazing!!

[Sarah Rice]

wow!!! this is so cool!

[sara]

Holy flippin' adorable! I will really have to give this a go! What size would you suggest making the nine cards?

[Joy Hager]

How awesome, love it!

[Lexi Bridges]

it was even more stunning in person Jill!! Love this :)

[Cynthia B.]

Beautiful project!

[Donna O'Neil]

I love the colors. What a wonderful idea.

[Dana F.]

Super pretty! TFS :)

[Jean]

Lots of work with an awesome result! This project would truly be a gift of love's labor to any recipient. Thanks for sharing!

[Joan V]

I love this . thanks for sharing.

[Carolyn]

Lovely idea. Adding this to my to-make list. TFS

[Mary Jo]

Absolutely gorgeous!!! :)

[Andi Sexton]

I am loving everything I see from October Afternoon!

[Gabrielle]

I absolutely love this idea! Will go and buy a frame and get started straight away! Thanks for the inspiration!