Old Frame Turned Bow Holder

Okay, this is the last project from baby girl's room I'm going to show with detail.   Time is running out and all I really want to do for the next little while is sit and read books and build train tracks with my boys all day everyday!
That's the stage of nesting I'm in... the "do nothing but soak in life as it is at this exact moment, because it will never ever be the same again stage."

This frame had been in my parent's basement for years.  I'd asked about it a few times, but never actually took it until about a year ago.  This frame was the beginning of our "1 year" rule at my house. 
After a Sunday dinner at my parent's house, my husband loaded the kids in the car and I walked out a minute later carrying this dusty old oval frame.  The only thing he said when he saw it was, "No." 

I convinced him that it wouldn't just sit around our house forever. (like that's ever happened!!!...  oh wait.)   Even though I had no plan for it at the time, I knew it could be something really beautiful someday.
I promised that I'd find a use for it within a year or else I'd get rid of it.  That was last November.  Finished this one just in time! :)

Now, he says this is the project he loves the very most about this room.

So, here's how we did it.

I started by taking out the glass (I'll have to find another project for that part!), removing the nails and hanging wire, and giving it a really good wipe down.

Next, I had my husband give it two good coats of Rustoleum spray paint in Heirloom White.  I got really excited when I saw the paint soaking into all of the old damaged frame's cracks and scratches.

After the paint had dried, I added a thin layer of my favorite glaze, Van Dyke Brown, by applying a light amount with a sponge brush then quickly wiping it off with a damp cloth. 

I love how it soaked into all the little creases on the applique areas.

Then I just stapled on a piece of scrap wiring from my in-law's farm.  Same thing as chicken wire, basically, just smaller openings.  I didn't want the wire to scratch up the walls, so I added a trim of duct tape all the way around on the back. 

No one will see that part anyway!

Next, it needed a little love over the most heavily damaged area on the left side, so I added a little bundle of fake hydrangeas on that side.  I like that it made it a little more feminine, and it also tied it in with the flowers from the Wall Canvas.

Found the perfect little spot for it in baby's room, added new hanging hardware, and here it is!

Clearly I've been a little too excited about making headbands and flowers for this little one.  I may have to find another old frame to fix up to accommodate all the "flair."