Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Acorn Frame - Bring A Bit of Mother Nature Home!

If you're looking for a fun and easy Autumn craft then this is it!
It's the perfect way to welcome in Mother Nature into your home this fall!

Acorn Frame

Supplies:

Acorn Caps
Frame
Strong Glue or Hot Glue
Glimmer Mist or Perfect Pearls Mist
Leaf
Dictionary Page
Distress Inks
Ink Blending Tool
Raffia or Ribbon (optional)

Instructions:

1. You will need to gather several acorn caps as well as a few oak leaves.  Collect more than you think you will need because it's almost like a puzzle to get the acorns to fit neatly on the frame.  You'll want lots of extras for options.

Oak Frame 001

2. Remove the caps from the nut section of the acorn.  If the nuts are pretty dry they should just pop off with a gentle pull but if you find you have a tough nut ;) use a paper piercer/pick to pry it off.  I only had a couple caps I couldn't remove using these two techniques. 

3. If desired (or necessary) you may want to wash the caps and let them dry overnight depending on how dirty they are.  Mine were pretty fresh and mostly fallen on a bed of leaves so I didn't have any issues with dirt/mud (specially since it hasn't rained here in weeks!). 

4. Arrange the acorn caps along the edges of the frame.  When you are arranging the caps don't let them hang too far over the edge for they could be easily knocked off when finished.  You may need to swap out larger/smaller caps until you find just the right combination to cover the frame yet not have them hang over too far.

Oak Frame 002

5. Glue each cap down to the frame using either a heavy duty glue or a hot glue gun.  I left the caps on the frame and carefully glued one down at a time so I wouldn't mess up the arrangement.

Notice I added a second layer of smaller acorns to the wider area... I thought it looked nicer than the large open areas where the caps met.

Oak Frame 003

6. Ink the acorn caps with your choice of shimmery mist.  I used Cinnamon Glimmer Mist but you could use whatever you have on hand.

Oak Frame 004

Let the ink dry completely...

Oak Frame 005

7. While your frame is drying, mount a sheet of dictionary paper (or sheet music, vintage map, book page, etc.) on a piece of light weight chipboard.  My page is a bit off center due to the configuration of my frame window.  Now mount this to your frame back.

Oak Frame 006

8. (optional) If desired ink up the dictionary page with Distress Inks and the Ink Blending Tool. 

Oak Frame 007

9. After the ink on the acorn caps has dried, replace the glass, place your leaf in on the glass face down and gently place the frame back in it's correct position.  Secure to the frame.

Oak Frame 008

ENJOY!!

You could make several of these types of frames to create a beautiful Autumn arrangement either on the wall or a desktop, mantel, etc.  I tried to show how great the shimmer is on all of the little caps but it just doesn't show up as well as it does IRL.    If desired, you could also affix a ribbon or raffia bow for a bit extra zing :)

Oak Frame 011

Oak Frame 012

Oak Frame 013

HAPPY AUTUMN FRIENDS!!!

Be sure to come back and visit tomorrow...

It's my Birthday
and
I'm going to celebrate by giving away some of my favorite goodies!!! 

Do you know what they might be?!?!? 

You'll have to wait till tomorrow to find out ;)

14 comments:

  1. Hi Roni -

    What an awesome idea! This really came out nice. I have a few acorns and caps I've collected all with the idea of turning them into little tiny dolls. P.S. Have not done it yet, but still collecting - LOL! I really think its my way of keeping Autumn around, its my favorite time of year.

    Elaine

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  2. This is such a great idea! I love the Glimmer Mist on the acorns!!!
    Happy Early Birthday! :)

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  3. I'm not sure that I can find those kind of acorn caps around here but, I think that I can find the other kind :) It will be fun to see how it turns out!

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  4. This is such a terrific idea, thank you so much for sharing. Annette x

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  5. Oh, this is soooo pretty! I wonder if I can get my grandkids to go hiking and get me a bag of acorns now! LOL

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  6. What an awesome idea. I have a front yard full of these acorns so might have to try this frame. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  7. Great idea! Happy early birthday!!!

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  8. so cute! and I have quite a supply of acorns here in MI! Happy Birthday to you as well. Your favorites? hmm...DI's, vintage postcards, STAMPS! and of course, creating and sharing your wonderfully full head of ideas! xo cher

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  9. Happy Birthday Miss Roni. This acorn frame and leaf really reflect Autumn. Happy Creative Birthday...

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  10. cute decorations. I bet you have some stamps to give away and lots of other cool goodies. I will be back tomorrow!!

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  11. wow this is so interesting!!! but over here in singapore, we dun get to find acorns

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Thanks for your thoughts and comments!