Special photos deserve more than an ordinary frame for display. A simple frame can be quickly and easily decorated with minimal time and materials to make a unique gift or conversation piece.
Ordinary frames can be found for minimal costs at craft stores, yard sales, or even at home. Old frames can be easily reworked to become an interesting and low-cost gift.
It is helpful to have the specific photo to be framed on hand so that the selected papers and embellishments match the photo and do not overwhelm it.
Instructions for Altering a Frame
To create a decorated frame, the following materials are required:
- Plain Frame
- Paints
- Cardstock or Patterned Paper
- Decoupage Medium, such as Mod Podge
- Foam Brushes
- Embellishments
- Craft Glue
- Craft Knife
- Self-Healing Mat
- Sandpaper or Emery Board
Steps
- Begin by removing the glass and backing so only the wood frame remains. Apply paint to the frame using the paint and a foam brush. Depending on the original frame color, paint color, and paint thickness, more than one coat of paint may be needed to get an even layer of color. Let the frame dry thoroughly between coats.
- Cut the cardstock or patterned paper slightly larger than the dimensions of the frame, leaving about half an inch around all sides. Use a foam brush to apply decoupage medium to the front of the frame and to the trimmed paper. Place the paper onto the surface of the frame and carefully smooth out any bubbles or wrinkles. Let the decoupage medium dry completely.
- Place the frame paper-side down on the self-healing mat and use the craft knife to carefully trim away the excess paper from the outside edge of the frame and the interior window of the frame. Use sandpaper or an emery board to soften the cut edges of the paper.
- Decorate the frame using chosen embellishments. Stickers or chipboard letters can be used to add a title to the frame. Other embellishments could include flowers, ribbons, chipboard shapes, buttons, tags, ticket stubs, or other ephemera. Use craft glue to adhere thick or heavy items, and use glue dots or tape runner adhesive to adhere thin or light items.
- Reassemble the frame to include the glass, photo, and backing material. Adjust the embellishments as needed to get the right look.
Altered Frames as Gifts
An altered frame makes a great gift for a variety of occasions, and can be themed using papers and embellishments:
- Present a recent grad with graduation pictures themed with school colors
- Give a teacher a framed class picture with school colors
- Preserve a picture of mother or father with child for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day
- Share a Christmas picture in a frame with red and gold paint and embellishments
- Enhance a summer beach picture with a frame sporting beach embellishments
The possibilities for customization of a simple frame are endless. For information on other low-cost handmade gifts, please read the article Handmade Teacher Gifts.
Susan Kristoff - Susan Kristoff is mechanical engineer by trade, but has a diverse set of professional and personal interests. The glue that binds all of ...
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