Mat Transformation

So being the tightwad - I mean frugal - that I am, I didn't want to spend the $$ on having it matted and framed, so I went to Michael's and looked for a picture/mat/frame in the size I needed. I still paid $40, however a mat alone would've cost me that much, since it was 20x24 size cut for a 16x20 picture

I didn't like the white mat with the picture, so I broke out the acrylic paints, sponges and sponge painted it the color I thought it would look right Because this mat has wood framing the inside I taped it off with painters tape. I then took a piece of a sea sponge and started sponging on the color. I kept putting layer upon layer until I had the coverage I wanted. When I took the tape off the color was a little short of the edge so I painted the color up the the wood.

I still need to attach the hanger so I can hang it on the wall. I wanted to get this posted tonight so I took this picture so you could see how it turned out. Tomorrow I will take a picture of it in it's "home"

So if you can't find the color mat at the store you want, create one with a little bit of paint!