Teach Me Tuesday: Inexpensive Custom Picture Frames

November 3, 2009

Posted in: Your Home, Your Way

Welcome to Teach Me Tuesday! I spend a lot of time each week reading all of the great DIY tips out there in Blogland. Because there are so many fabulous projects that I can’t wait to try, I figured that it would be fun to feature some of my very favorites here each Tuesday.

If you would like to be featured in an upcoming edition of Teach Me Tuesday, please email me at LivingWithLindsay@gmail.com and we’ll chat!

Today’s edition of Teach Me Tuesday features Christy from BeachBrights. I really love reading her blog…and the fact that she lives in the place of my birth doesn’t make me biased at all. ;) Christy, have they gotten around to constructing that “We’re Lucky Lindsay was Born Here!” monument, yet?

Anyway, y’all know how much I love cute crafts that cost next to nothing, and Christy’s custom picture frame tutorial fits the bill. Let her show us how to quickly create some darling gifts:

I needed some hostess gifts to give for Halloween. I probably should have put some cute Halloween pictures in these frames to take the blog picture but I am lazy–Don’t judge. These frames only cost $1 each and took less than 15 minutes to complete (all 3 frames). These frames would look great hanging on a wall or resting on a table. You could also paint the frames before adding the paper to the fronts. I can’t wait to make some for me. Enjoy!

What you need:
Unfinished Wood Frame (I bought my from Michael’s)
Glue (ModPodge)
Scrapbook Paper
Sanding Block (I used sanding sponge)
Foam Brush
Brayer (you probably could get away with NOT having one of these)
Craft Knife
Rub-on Words (optional)

1. Cut paper to fit frame with 1/4 -1/2” overlap.

2. Evenly apply a coat of glue to the top of the wood frame with the foam brush.

3. Adhere paper, rolling brayer of the top to smooth out air bubbles. Let dry. (Lindsay note: Don’t have a brayer? I bet you have a rolling pin!)

4. Sand away excess edges of paper using the sanding block.

5. Lay the frame flat, paper side down and cut out the middle using your craft knife. Sand these edges.

6. Apply rub-on words to frame (optional).

XOXO-BeachBrights

Although her tutorial features her Halloween-themed frames, you could put them together for any occasion. Check out these fun Spring frames Christy put together.

I’m thinking of making one to use as my Christmas frame. Each year, I buy a dated frame to hold Zack’s picture with Santa. I always have such a hard time finding a cute one that doesn’t break the bank. This is the perfect solution for me. Thanks, Christy!

How about making frames for teacher’s gifts? Holiday gifts for the neighbors? A frame for a new mom? How about a gift for a little girl’s birthday?

Who will you make one of these frames for? Share your ideas with us in the comments!

1 Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish November 3, 2009 at 4:59 am

Ok – so the idea of sanding down the edges of the paper to get it perfect is brilliant! Thanks for sharing!

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2 Beachbrights November 3, 2009 at 6:09 am

OMG! You made me look so good!! Thank you, Thank you!

What a beautiful post :)
XOXO-

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3 kelly@TearingUpHouses November 3, 2009 at 7:00 am

these are really, really smart! what a neat gift, especially with anniversary or birthday dates or personal sayings or something…

kelly

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4 Danielle November 3, 2009 at 7:09 am

I love your teach me Tuesdays! It has inspirited me so much! I just wish that my projects looked like yours in the end! LOL

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5 Luray va accommodations November 3, 2009 at 7:38 am

It was a good idea, and wondered why everyone was a against these. I'm all about thrifty, unique design. Thank you so much for sharing the great idea.

Best Regards,

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6 bj November 3, 2009 at 8:34 am

How cute these are. That scrapbooking paper is so handy and pretty for so many projects. just love it!!

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7 Amanda @ Serenity Now November 3, 2009 at 11:09 am

That brayer must be the key! I tried to do this craft last year at a MOPS meeting, and I ruined it. :s I could not figure out the Mod Podge, it got all lumpy and torn…the brayer would have helped. Guess what? Got one at a yard sale over the summer. I wondered what I'd do with it, and now I know! ;)

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8 the BLAH BLAH BLAHger November 3, 2009 at 12:18 pm

Easy and fun!

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9 Sarah @ Dream In Domestic November 3, 2009 at 2:50 pm

They look great! I am becoming a Mod Podge addict very quickly because it is so versatile and can make things look brand new!

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10 Mod Podge Amy November 3, 2009 at 6:43 pm

You know I love these!! Yes, the brayer is key. . . gotta have the brayer.

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11 Valerie November 3, 2009 at 8:13 pm

Love the extra tips! Can't wait to try them. I am filing this away at thecraftersfilebox.blogspot.com

Thanks so much for sharing!

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12 Kimm at Reinvented November 3, 2009 at 8:30 pm

What a great project, and the possibilities are really endless!

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13 Anny November 3, 2009 at 11:53 pm

How cute! Thank you for sharing :)

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14 Brian and Ashley November 9, 2009 at 8:49 pm

This DIY is great! I have tried to create frames like this, but always have air bubbles. I never thought to use a rolling pin (don't have a brayer.) I am having several couples over for a Thanksgiving Friends dinner on Saturday- this would be a great "favor" with the word Thankful on it. Thanks for the idea!

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15 Susie Q November 24, 2009 at 12:08 pm

I don't even own a rolling pin. I do have a very LARGE dowel that we use instead ;D

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16 Susie Q November 24, 2009 at 12:10 pm

I love the idea of sanding the edges also! Great little gift for the teachers.

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