I can’t quite explain why I love antique oval picture frames so much, but I just DO! And when I see them in thrift shops, I snap them up, no questions asked. While brainstorming for new project ideas (by tidying up my Craft Room), I realized something: Vintage oval frames look a little like Easter eggs. So I decided to upcycle a few frames into Easter mantel decorations.
Maybe not a *perfect* egg shape…but close enough, right? Either way, it seemed like a fun Easter craft to play around with.
My plan? To transform them into something that resembled Pysanky eggs. You may not recognize the word, but Pysanky eggs are those gorgeously painted eggs that are Ukrainian in origin.
To replicate that look, I needed just a couple of craft supplies. Specifically, I needed spray paint and floral linens from my stash of vintage sheets.
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Antique Oval Picture Frames as Pysanky Eggs for Easter
First, I removed the hanging hardware and wiped down my set of vintage oval frames. Then, I gave them a couple of coats of spray paint.
They were already starting to look a lot more Easter-y!
After the paint dried, I paired each oval frame with one of the floral bed sheets. Using my fabric scissors, I cut out a large panel of fabric and arranged my picture frame on top to figure out the design I wanted to showcase.
Next, I trimmed the floral sheet to fit inside the vintage oval frame.
Following that, I traced the interior of my frame on a piece of white foam board.
Why not use scrap cardboard? Because the floral fabric is light and a little sheer…and I didn’t want the brown-ness of cardboard showing through and muting/altering the colors!
So, white foam board to the rescue.
Finally, it was time to assemble them. With my oval frame upside-down on my craft mat, I layered on my pillowcase fabric and then the oval foamboard.
I checked the straightness of fabric, tugged it here and there to smooth out wrinkles, and then secured it my Easter egg panel with finishing nails.
I did the same thing to the other vintage oval frames. Ready to see how the Easter mantel decorations turned out?
DIY Easter Egg Decor from Vintage Oval Frames
And there they are- unusual Easter eggs for sure. Maybe even abstract Easter eggs. But they are bright and fresh and will look perfectly Spring-y on our fireplace mantel.
The best part is that you could totally do this with the plastic oval picture frames that are more common in thrift stores (and cheaper than wood ones). So, don’t pass those up next time you’re out junkin’!
No one will know the difference.
Even Cottonball approves of my Pysanky eggs from antique oval picture frames!
If you loved this project, then you might also enjoy my Easter wreath that I made with an upcycled basket!
AND I’m so excited to announce that my first book is now available! If you love working with flannel or fabric crafts in general (sewing and non-sewing), then you will LOVE “Crafting with Flannel”!
Craft on!
S
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Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
Charming – so cheerful and springy (is that a word??). It’s 27 degrees here at the moment!
I definitely think Springy is a word!! And YES, winter seems determined to come back for now. 🙁
Love the “eggs”! I just passed up a similar oval frame at the thrift store. Now I’m debating dragging the kids back there to get it! Visiting from Vintage Charm party.
Hahaha, I understand that thought process all too well!
Very cool! Love the soft designs of the fabric. Really goes well with the frame colors. You’re a wealth of inspiration!
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Cecilia
Thank you so much!!
I love the way your brain works. These are gorgeous!!
Thank you, Michelle! I wasn’t entirely sure if this project would fly- and that perhaps everyone would think I was nuts for seeing them as “eggs”. 😉
you clever, clever, girl!
Thank you, Cathy!!
Great Easter display with those frames. I’d love for you to join our link up To Grandmas House We Go.
http://abbottsathome.com/2017/03/14/to-grandmas-house-we-go-link-party-27/
You never cease to amaze me with your creative talent, Sarah. These are so stink’n cute! Pinned
Thank you, Marie! I wasn’t 100% sure that it worked…like, maybe no one else will “see” them as egg-shaped!! Oh, the life of a blogger who is also a worrier. 😉
So cute! Never thought they looked like eggs, but now it’s all I see.
They look fresh and happy. I could also see them with a bunny in, at a nursery. (Why don’t I ever find such pretty frames at thrift stores?)
I find plastic ones far more often- and I think those would work just as well!!
I have a few of these frames around my house. 🙂 And some vintage sheets, too! I’ve got a Craft Gossip post scheduled for tomorrow afternoon that features your tutorial: http://sewing.craftgossip.com/?p=92097 –Anne
<3 Thank you, friend!! Can't wait to see it!
I always have loved oval frames. Maybe they look old-fashioned to us. Absolutely love how you painted yours then added gorgeous Springy fabric.
When I finally get sewing room cleaned out will go thru my fabric stash to see what I might be able to use. Smart idea using foam board for backing, much better all around than using cardboard.
Sure glad I was able to grab oval frames when I saw them, they don’t last long here.
Love look of different shape with square and rectangular frames on gallery wall.
In last year or so since had right shoulder replaced/12/15 then our 22 yr. old grandson died of recurring cancer in June last year, just seemed to lose ambition ..sewing room and studio became absolute cluttered messes, couldn’t seem to snap out of doldrums.
Finally couldn’t stand how house was so got butt in gear. Been working on cleaning up, organizing and purging, what a job, but it feels good to walk in studio. Almost done, am finding don’t have energy to keep going day after day as I used to. Getting old is not for sissies, will be 77 in July, lol.
Always enjoy and am inspired by your posts. Have wonderful weekend
Thank you so much! I’m so sorry to hear that you’ve been through so much- and I’m wonderfully happy to hear that you’re bringing your studio back to life. Hugs!
I like those! I’ve got so many pretty vintage sheets that I can’t bring myself to cut into. This might tip me over the edge…if I can find some frames for the right price.
Thanks, Michelle! It’s easier to cut pillowcases!! 😉
Your eye for items to “transform” continues to amaze me.
Thank you very much, Mary!
I love the colors! Thanks for sharing at the Pleasures of the NW’s DIY Party
Thanks, Helen!
WOW! These turned out really cute. Never thought of using the oval shaped frames but I will be watching now! Thanks sharing!
Thanks so much!
These are adorable! And I love anything that involves recycling/repurposing 🙂 I’d be honored if you visited my blog and linked up to my new linky party, Support Your Fellow Crafters! http://superstinkyboys.blogspot.com/2017/03/support-your-fellow-crafter-linky-party_20.html
Recycling/Repurposing is what my entire blog is about! 🙂
these are very cool thanks for sharing I believe we may look into checking this out
come see us at http://shopannies.blogspot.com
Thanks, Angie!
Thank you so much for sharing on Support Your Fellow Crafter Monday 🙂 I hope to see you again soon!
Many thanks, Ginger- let me know what day, time, and time zone your party goes live so I can add it to my calendar. 🙂
I love the colors you chose for your frames!
Thank you!!!
Love the bright colors and the pretty fabric choice!! Pinning. Thanks for sharing at Snickerdoodle!
Thank you, Laurie!
Cute as can be and easy enough to really be fun! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks, Teresa- yes, definitely easy! 🙂
Sarah, I love those vintage oval frames as well, there’s something about them, isn’t there? Well these Easter egg frames are just lovely and what a very clever idea!
Agree!!! Thank you so much, Keri!
Your Easter egg frames are so cute. I love that you used vintage pillow cases. Thank you for sharing with us at Vintage Charm.
Thank you, Sharon! Just linked up my latest. 🙂
This is adorable and I love those fun colors and fabric. Thank you for sharing at Dishing it and Digging it link party.
Thank you so much, Vanessa!!
Oh my gosh you are so crafty! These are beautiful and those colors really pop.
Thank you so much, Sandra!!
Wow. it looks so cheerful Sadie! I’m ready to follow your idea this weekend. But I can’t find the fabric as lovely as yours. 🙁
Thanks, Jennifer!! I’ve been collecting vintage pillowcases from thrift stores for a while- but keep your eyes peeled!
Thirty years ago when I worked in a psych hospital with elderly patients, we had miles of hallway to brighten up. We made Easter eggs to decorate the walls using old wallpaper books. The striped pages were great. The floral borders were great. The grasscloth pages became baskets and the nursery page animals were used as cutouts to help fill the basketes! Today, scrapbook pages would work, too if you didn’t have the heart to cut up still-good linens!
Sadie, I think your projects are consistently cute, easy and creative! I love the way you “think”, we are definitely on the same wave link!
From your best fan!
Thank you so much, Sharron!!