An Unexpected Suprise ... and framing made easy

A week or so ago I received a free copy of a craft magazine, Handmade Vol 27 No 11, in the mail.

I wasn’t sure why I had received this magazine as I didn’t subscribe to it. I figured it must have been a promotion as I do subscribe to Creative Embroidery & Cross Stitch, a magazine published by the same company, Express Publications.

So I put the magazine aside unopened and took it along to my stitching group that night.

As we were sitting around chatting, I decided to open the magazine and flick through it.

Suddenly I exclaimed “Oh my God!”

Now I knew why I had received a free copy of the magazine. There, in print, was a design I had submitted back in 2006 - Cherry Blossoms. Finally it had been published.

I had sent this piece of silk ribbon embroidery in along with a couple of other pieces which were published in Embroidery and Cross Stitch magazine. I received the published pieces back in the mail but not the Cherry Blossoms. I eventually rang to find out what was happening with it and was told that it had gone over to the editor of Handmade magazine.

The reason for my surprise was that nobody had contacted me to indicate it was going to be published. Of course I was chuffed to see it in print ... and now it will come home so it can hang on the wall.

This was the first piece of embroidery I had attempted on a fabric with a patterned background. It was a Japanese print and I really liked the fabric. I had purchased a fat quarter, with no idea what I would use it for. The inspiration came from the other beautiful Japanese prints displayed in the store.

When I finished this piece, I dreaded the thought of having it framed as I had just had a piece of goldwork framed that had cost a quite a bit! The piece measured 30cm by 40cm (12in by 16in) and I knew it would not be cheap.

I decided to get creative.

I purchase a blank canvas from one of the “two dollar” stores. Are you familiar with these stores? They are variety stores that sell many different products at low prices, usually two dollars and above. I covered the canvas with dark brown silk dupion using a staple gun to secure it to the wooden frame of the canvas.

Next I laced the embroidered fabric to a piece of foam core. Foam core or Foam board is a very strong, lightweight and easily cut material used for the mounting of photographic prints, as backing in picture framing. It is generally available at art supply stores or picture framers. I then attached the laced embroidery panel to the silk covered canvas using a hot glue gun.

Cheap but effective.

Sorry there are no pictures of the process. Next time I do one I’ll be sure to take some photos.

I have since completed a framing course at a local framing business. What attracted me to this particular course was the added bonus of being able to use the business’s equipment and supplies once I had completed the course.

I just go in and choose the materials I want, prepare the frame, mount my piece and then just pay for the materials I have used. It is an incredibly inexpensive way of presenting finished work. I have also purchased some basic equipment for home so that I can mount my pieces using just the mounting boards. This makes them light and easy to transport to classes. The finish is not as professional as going to the picture framers premises to do the work but does the job when I am in a hurry.

Comments

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That's a great way to present a a design in a modern, unfussy way. The fact that it is cheaper and easier than double mounts framed under glass is a bonus!

Posted by: Rachel | Monday, 19 April 2010 at 08:30 PM