Scrapbook & Cards Today Blog: The versatility of frames with Anabelle O'Malley!

Good morning SCT friends! It's Monday and we have a wonderful week of inspiration lined up for you. To start, we are thrilled to have designer Anabelle O'Malley joining us today and Wednesday to share how she is using the trendy new product...frames! You are sure to love her work as much as we do!

"Hi! I'm so excited to be here on the blog with you today and to tell you about my love affair. (Shhh....don't tell my husband.) You see, I'm incredibly infatuated with frames right now. All kinds of frames! I just can't help myself. Every time I sit down to create, they are the first things I reach for. I thought I'd share a few ways that I have used them on my recent projects.

First off, let's take a peek at some of the different types of frames that are available right now.

There are frames to fit every style and purpose. You can find chipboard frames, large and small die cut frames, folder type frames, frames with or without print and frames of varying thickness.

Frames can be square or round, long or short, and can even be made from vellum or plastic.

Here are a few layouts on which I've used frames in different ways.

On this first the page, I've used the frames as a layering element. As you can see, I tucked a couple of chipboard frames under the main photo. I added some embellishments on top of them to create lots of dimension. I used a sun shaped frame that I cut with my electric die cut machine to top things off.

Here is a page where I used the frames as a background for my title.

I layered a canvas frame along with a die cut one that I stitched around the edges. I added a flower die cut, then layered my vellum cut title on top of everything. The frame served as a beautiful backdrop for the word, 'Spring.'

While frames come in many shapes, sizes and colors, they don't need to be used solely as they are. Altering frames can be a lot of fun and can add a twist to your layouts.

On this page, I stitched my chipboard frames with aqua colored thread. I wanted to have a variety of textures here, so I painted some Mod Podge on the smaller frame and added some gold glitter. Adhering colored stars to the edge of a frame is another fun way to add texture.

Frames are wonderful as clustering elements, as well.

I like to have lots of white space on my projects and clustering embellishments together with a frame gives me the chance to use lots of details, while maintaining the balance with that white space. Here, I used a die cut frame and added more die cuts along with stamped images.

Frames, don't have to be used solely as embellishments, either. They can be the main focal piece of a project!

On this card, I used a folder type frame and added a few elements to it - the doily piece, the inked butterflies and the sentiment. But, the frame is at the heart of the card and definitely takes center stage.

As you can see, there are lots of ways to incorporate frames into your layouts and cards. I will be back on Wednesday with a tutorial on how to turn frames into pockets for sequins, glitter or confetti. Be sure to stop by!

~ Anabelle O'Malley

Comments

GREAT projects Annabelle! Can't wait to see what's up on Wednesday :)

Posted by: Nicole N. | September 09, 2013 at 10:51 AM

What great ideas! All of them are gorgeous! Thanks for the inspiration!

Posted by: Jeanne | September 09, 2013 at 11:59 AM

I too love the frames that are showing up by so many manufacturers!! They are all so different and SO FUN!! Thanks for more inspiration on using them!

Posted by: Melanie P | September 09, 2013 at 12:01 PM