She Walks in Beauty by Candice Windham

She Walks in Beauty

Designed by Candice Windham 

Lord Byron has been my favorite poet since I discovered him in English 101 at the University of Memphis. Not only was he a great poet, he was handsome as well. In fact, had I been alive in 1814, I would probably have camped out on his doorstep.

When I discovered the photo of this beautiful woman in an antique shop, my first thought was, “She walks in beauty, like the night,” and I knew I had to have her in my instant ancestors collection. I didn’t want to make a scrapbook page, but rather a piece of home décor art. I discovered her frame in a different antique shop and knew it would be perfect with a little crafty magic.

My KellyCraft™ Get-it-Straight™ Laser Square and Multi-Mat™ Docking Station turned this project into an easy-as-pie creation.

Materials: 

KellyCraft™ - Get-it-Straight™ Laser Square  

                    - Multi-Mat™ 

Assorted patterned card stock (Two matching sheets for the mat board cover; two more sheets or assorted paper scraps for the flowers

Photo printed on card stock

Banner printed from .pdf file on patterned paper scrap

Distress Ink, Walnut Stain and Vintage Photo (Tim Holtz for Ranger)

Wide lace strip (Simplicity)

Assorted Flower Dies (Spellbinders™)

Grand Calibur Die Cutting Machine (Spellbinders™)

Craft paint (DecoArt® Americana® Multi-Surface Metallic, Champagne)

Crème Wax (DecoArt® Americana Decor®, Deep Brown)

Masking tape or artist’s tape

Liquid Adhesive (Beacon® Zip Dry) 

Double Stick Tape, 3” (Sookwang)

Pop dots

Dew Drops (The Robin’s Nest)

Tools: Sponge, scissors, brush, dusting sheet or soft towel, craft knife, mat cutter if you can cut your own mat

Instructions:

Note: All die cuts are sponged on the edges with Walnut Stain and Vintage Photo inks. 

Tip: Never use your original photos in pieces that will be exposed to light. They could fade completely away. Make a copy and store the original in a dark, cool, dry place.

Wipe down frame with dusting cloth or soft towel. Brush on a thin coat of Champagne acrylic paint and allow it to dry. Brush or wipe on the Crème Wax, wipe away the excess and allow to dry. Buff with a soft cloth. 

Cover mat board with patterned paper or card stock. The paper I used had a script, which I was able to match up without trimming. However, I used my KellyCraft Get-it-Straight Laser Square to make sure I had the paper square on the mat board by lining up. here

the top edge of the mat board and then lining up the script according to the mat board straight edge. I was correct in
thinking the script was a little off. The misalignment would be evident after the piece was finished. That would have driven me nuts. Insert 

Cut the window opening in the mat board. You can use a craft knife if you don’t want the bevel, or a mat cutter if you do. Position the photo in the opening and attach to the back with masking tape or artist’s tape.

Tip: Before attaching the patterned paper or card stock to the mat board, decide where the cuts will be for the opening. Make sure you have the tape covering all the edges for a smooth appearance after you cut it.

Place the mat board on the KellyCraft Multi Mat Docking Station and

KellyCraft Get-it-Straight Laser Square. Measure ½” down from the top and turn on the laser light. Apply Beacon Zip Dry adhesive along the line, and then place the lace, being sure to line up the top
edge up with the laser line. It is much easier to apply the adhesive to the paper than to apply adhesive to the lace.

Print out the banner and trim along the edges. Sponge the edges with Walnut Stain and Vintage Photo. Apply pop dots to the back of the banner pieces, sides only, and attach it to
the mat board, using the KellyCraft Get-it-Straight Laser square toi line up the first and last letters on the top line.

Cut the flowers, sponge the edges and use Beacon Zip Dry adhesive to apply the flowers to the mat board. Use Zip Dry to add the Dew Drops.

Place the art in the frame, and then cut a piece of chipboard or mat board to place in the back. Add staples if needed.

This would look great on a wall, but I think I will place it on a tabletop easel.

We’ll have a pretty girl to look at, and I’ll be reminded of dreamy Lord Byron every time I see it.

Wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas and the best new year ever!

 Candice