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Altered Frame-Southwestern Decor

By M. Elizabeth Lee
Trailblazers
Mixed Media Design Team
Publisher/Editor/Designer/Writer

True Southwest Art evolved from the various Indian Cultures in the southwestern states of America.  It is known the world over much like African Art and jungle animal themes.  Notable artists today, both Native American Indians and non-Indians, are dedicated in capturing the essence of Southwestern Art in ancient and contemporary forms.  Among these artists, Jim Taylor produces some of the best images available in the rubber stamp industry.  He is a one-man show from the start, with drawing the designs, to finish, burning rubber for sales distribution. 

Whenever requests for Southwest Art designs are received, I sift through my stash of Taylored Craft stamps by Jim Taylor first.  The styles are classy and offer an impressive focal point.

Supplies:
Thunderbird stamp (Taylored Craft)
Word Stamps (Vickie Enkoff)
Black Pigment Ink (ColorBox)
Detail Clear Embossing Powder (Judikins)
Earth tone patterned paper cut to size: 3½”x 5”
Burgundy Linen card stock-1 sheet (Paper Plus)
Metallic Gold Vellum card stock-scraps (Paper Plus)
Gold Leafing Pen (Krylon)
Yes! Paste (Gane Brothers & Lane)
Mini plastic spatula or paint knife for spreading paste
Scotch Double Stick Tape (3M)
Scotch Foam Mounting Tape (3M)
Heat Embossing Gun (Milwaukee)
Frame measures 5¾” x 6¼” with a 3¼” x 4¾” picture opening (Connoisseur)
Mini Guillotine Paper Cutter (Fiskars) – for cutting small card stock pieces
Small Detail Scissors  

Instructions:

1.  Stamp the Thunderbird twice and word images once onto the Burgundy Linen card stock using Black Pigment ink.  Sprinkle on clear embossing powder, shake off excess, and return to jar.  Melt the embossing powder with a heat embossing gun. 

2.  On the first stamped SW design, cut out the entire Thunderbird image including the sun.  On the second stamped SW design, cut out only the Thunderbird. Referring to photo, cut off two top feathers. 

3.  Cut out the words individually using the Fiskars Mini Guillotine Paper Cutter.  It best accommodates small cuts. 

4.  Measure the word cut-outs and cut backings for the words using gold vellum card stock allowing a 1/8” border.  Adhere the word stamp to the gold vellum card stock using double stick tape and set aside. 

5.  Insert pattern paper inside the window of the frame. 

6.  Using the gold leafing pen, accent the sun behind bird, the shield in center of bird, and the arcs under neck and upper tail feathers.  Refer to photo for color placement.  While holding the bird cut-outs, accent the very edges all the way around with the gold leafing pen. 

7.  The full Thunderbird cut-out will be placed directly onto the frame, yet overlapping the glass area.  Apply Yes! Paste to the card stock that will be attached to the frame.  Leave the card stock that overhands the glass paste free to keep the paper from curling.  Work quickly and attach the cut-out to the frame. 

8.  Line up and mount the Thunderbird cut-out using foam mounting tape for a 3D effect to the image on the frame.  Slightly bend out the top 3 head feathers. 

This frame has an easel back for table top or shelf display.

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