Framing Up a Special Friend... by Susan M. Brown {sbartist}

Greetings Amazing Crafters! Susan here today to share a photo project with a special handmade embellishment using Amazing Casting Products! 

A few weeks ago we heard that my brother in law's dog had gone to the big dog park above. Rusty was more than just his dog... he was the family dog - a gorgeous golden retriever with a heart of gold. I have several photographs of Rusty that I had taken back in 2009 for use in one of my "Wreck this Journal" projects. He was such a good sport in partnering to help me with some creative madness. So I set out to make a framed picture keepsake for my brother in law.

For this special commemorative gift I used a 5"x7" Deflecto Beveled Edge Frame. The edge has a tint of green – it even looks like real glass {but it's not... perfect for clumsy me}. I cropped my photo to 6 1/2" x 8 1/2" to fit the frame and printed it out on my color laser printer. I mounted my print to a sheet of black cardstock for the backside and trimmed to the fit the frame. I just needed to use a hole punch to punch holes where the screws secure the photo between the two plexiglass panels.

Now for the fun part...

embellishing and personalization!

I need to add a custom piece to finish it all off. For this I got out a little metal dog tag that I have in my stash of items to mold. I mold this using Amazing Mold Putty to make a custom embellishment for my framed photo with Rusty's name. Amazing Mold Putty is quick and easy to use and cures in about 15 minutes {CLICK HERE to view mixing/preparation}. 

Now to prepare for a bit of resin. I brushed the mold with Alumilite Bronze and Silver Metallic Powders to add color that will adhere to the poured resin.

I prepare a small batch of Amazing Casting Resin {CLICK HERE to view mixing/preparation}. I added no dyes - the grey color is from the metallic powders swimming around during the curing process... a little happy magic that happens in small castings.

When cured I remove the tag. I'm really happy with the metallic sheen from the metallic powders. I punch the hole through and gently sand the edges on the back. I use some metal stamp letters to hammer "RUSTY" into the tag. I was going to hang the tag from a section of a dog collar I picked up at the Dollar Tree - but it was a little out of sorts with the simple design of the frame. So instead, I finished off with a silver brad tied onto the frame with some black fibers. I want our special friend to be the focal point.

Remembering Rusty...

This one of a kind special gift turned out amazing and I hope BIL loves it. I'm glad I made a mold of the tag - I'm pretty sure I'll be making a few more of these for other family members too. Rusty was a traveling dog and he never missed a family gathering.

How will you combine photos

with Amazing Casting Products?

Please leave a comment below to share your ideas -or- please, ask us questions! If you would like to see more of my creations, please visit my blog sbartist : painting in the dark by clicking here -or- check out more videos on my YouTube channel here. ~ Susan

Thanks for stopping by and have a creative day!

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Our AMAZING creative friend Katie Smith, of Punk Projects is hosting a fun craft challenge for the summer and ACP is proud to be one of the sponsors. Play along for your chance to win weekly prizes and a grand prize at the end! There's still a little time to get some photos, squeeze in some Cre8time and enter this week's challenge.

This week's "Make Things!" theme is... USE PHOTOS!