When I blogged about my 2017 goals, I alluded to a special series I was starting here on Flourish & Knot. Well, today I am so excited to be bringing you the very first instalment of There for the Making: the Zero $$ DIY Challenge! I have corralled an absolutely fantastic group of fellow bloggers to join me in creating something using what we already own. This is the ultimate chance for us to upcycle, repurpose, and generally use up our DIY stashes! I have a feeling our families are all really happy that we are having to purge our supply closets and bins… For this first There for the Making edition, I decided to give some thrift store picture frames I’d had for a few years a major facelift.

DIY Sponge-Painted Picture Frames | There for the Making | How to upcycle thrift store picture frames

I used an incredibly simple, yet effective, painting technique to revamp my blah frames. All you need is two colours of paint, a brush, and a sponge and you are set!

There for the Making | The Zero Dollar DIY Challenge | February Edition | No-spend DIY and craft projects

 

DIY Sponge-Painted Picture Frames

Materials

  • Frame(s) of your choosing (you’ll want something with some detail, so that the sponge technique really shows)
  • Base colour (I used up some basic white interior latex paint we had lying around)
  • Contrasting colour (I used acrylic craft paint)
  • Paint brush (for base colour)
  • Kitchen sponge (for contrasting colour)

Directions

  1. Prepare your frames by wiping them clean and removing the backs and glass. Are you ready for the BEFORE shot? Here is what my frames looked like when I started: DIY Sponge-Painted Picture Frames | There for the Making | How to upcycle thrift store picture frames DIY Sponge-Painted Picture Frames | There for the Making | How to upcycle thrift store picture frames
  2. Paint 2-3 layers of the base colour, being sure to reach all the little nooks and crannies. Allow the paint to fully dry in between coats. DIY Sponge-Painted Picture Frames | There for the Making | How to upcycle thrift store picture frames
  3. Dip the sponge into your contrasting colour. I found it was best to put your paint on a flat surface (rather than in a dish or palette), so that I could get a really even coat of paint on the sponge. Dab off excess paint. Gently dab the sponge along the edges of the frame and over any relief detail on the frame. You can add as much or as little colour as you wish. How to sponge-paint | DIY Sponge-Painted Picture Frames | There for the Making | How to upcycle thrift store picture framesHow to sponge-paint | DIY Sponge-Painted Picture Frames | There for the Making | How to upcycle thrift store picture frames How to sponge-paint | DIY Sponge-Painted Picture Frames | There for the Making | How to upcycle thrift store picture frames
  4. Allow it to fully dry before replacing the back and glass. Marvel at your gorgeous new frame!

DIY Sponge-Painted Picture Frames | There for the Making | How to upcycle thrift store picture frames

I did my second frame in turquoise, to suit the colours in the sunset painting we plan to put off hanging for another 3-4 years hang in our bedroom. And yes, I did frame pictures from our wedding. *Cue “awwwww”.*

DIY Sponge-Painted Picture Frames | There for the Making | How to upcycle thrift store picture frames

DIY Sponge-Painted Picture Frames | There for the Making | How to upcycle thrift store picture frames

You know what? I’m going to be 100% honest and tell you that I originally painted one of these frames totally differently. I wanted to try a different technique and really thought it would work out… But it didn’t. And therein lies the beauty of paint. You can always paint over and start again! I’m really happy with the final – alternate – result.

DIY Sponge-Painted Picture Frames | There for the Making | How to upcycle thrift store picture frames

↓ Pin me! Pin me! ↓

There for the Making | The Zero Dollar DIY Challenge | February Edition | No-spend DIY and craft projects  DIY Sponge-Painted Picture Frames | There for the Making | How to upcycle thrift store picture frames

We’ll be back in April with a special Earth Day edition of There for the Making. For now, I hope you’ll pour yourself another cup of coffee and visit the other bloggers participating in our no-spend DIY series. The next blogger in our hop today is Personally Andrea. All of these projects prove that we have hidden craft and DIY possibilities waiting in our homes! It IS possible to be creative without spending a dime!

There for the Making | The Zero Dollar DIY Challenge | February Edition | No-spend DIY and craft projects

There for the Making – February Challenge!

DIY Birch Business Card Holder by Minty Green Dream

Chalk Paint Chair Makeover by 2 Bees in a Pod

Sponge-Painted Picture Frame Makeover by Flourish & Knot

DIY Chalkboard Monogram by Personally Andrea

Gemstone Wrap Bracelet by Lifeovereasy

“Hello Sunshine” Wall Art by Two Purple Couches

St. Patrick’s Day Wine Bottle Makeover by Green with Decor

DIY Barn Board Mirror – Ikea Hack by Vin’yet Etc.

DIY Organizational Clipboard by DIY Passion

Geometric Planter by Love Create Celebrate

Toilet Paper Roll Turned Plastic Bag Holder by Design Inside the Box

Chair Makeover by Simple Nature Decor

Vintage Toolbox Turned Craft Storage by My Creative Days