DIY Network

Underwater Picture Frame Learn how to make a unique, large underwater picture frame. From "Scrap" episode DSCD-104

If you like the sand, the surf and the sea, this is the perfect project for you. Scott Petti, host of Scrap, makes a large underwater picture frame complete with sculpted mussels, barnacles and other sea life—all out of spray foam and photographs!

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	Host Scott Petti creates this aquatic-theme Underwater Picture Frame.

Project designed by Scott Petti.

Materials:

frame with 3" border
sculpting foam
spray expansion foam
hand-held grater
sandpaper
sculpting clay
cake tips
2-part liquid plastic
off-white lacquer based primer
latex paint—raw umber, sea foam green, and other colors as indicated by nature
painting sponge
toothbrush
spray bottle of water
green mastic glue
dried moss
assorted shells

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

Underwater Picture Frame

1. To create the barnacles, cut off a small rectangle piece of foam and use a cheese grater to make a cone shape (figure A).

2. Take a rat tail file and poke out the center of the barnacle piece. Now if the hole is still too perfect, keep poking the center and edges with the file until the edges look uneven.

3. Then take a piece of sandpaper to shape down the edges of the barnacles, and use the edge of the sandpaper to create lines for more texture.

4. To create the mussels, start with an oval shaped piece of foam. Keep filing it down until you create what looks like an oversized almond.

5. Take another piece of sandpaper and use the edge of it to run along the side of the mussel to make it look real.

6. To make the mini-barnacle, use bakeable clay and shape the clay around a cake frosting tip (figure B).

7. Use any large picture frame with a 3" frame for plenty of room to attach your sea life.

8. Use spray expansion foam as the base for your mussels and large barnacles. This material is very sticky and serves as the adhesive, but you must be sure to wear gloves or it will stick to your hands for days.

9. You don't want the small barnacles to get lost in the foam so just hot glue them directly on the frame.

10. Before painting, coat the foam with two part polymer liquid plastic to fill the pores and give a hard plastic shell. Apply two coats.

11. Spray lightly with a lacquer based off-white primer, but be careful because too much lacquer could damage the foam.

12. Paint the frame by sponging raw umber latex paint as the base coat. Then use a toothbrush and spray bottle to splatter a light green paint (figure C) and let dry.

13. Paint the sea life to match the natural colors.

14. Add in dried moss with green mastic glue in random areas to give the appearance that is growing and to fill in empty space.

15. Add picture and hang on the wall.

RESOURCES :

General Scrapbook Supplies and Tools
EK Success
Website: www.eksuccess.com