Making a Framed Gift From Graduation Invitations

The Invitations

Collect as many of the graduation invitations as possible. Choose which phrases and images from the invitations best capture the feeling you are trying to convey with the framed gift. Cut out these parts of the invitations in a series of fun and unusual shapes. You may also want to collect other images and magazine clippings that you feel tie into or enhance the frame.

The Frame

Purchase a frame from a local craft store that ties into the theme of your framed gift. If the frame does not have a cardboard surface that you can paste on and decorate, you will also need to find a piece of cardboard that you can cut to fit inside the frame.

Putting it all Together

Paint the piece of cardboard with a bright color or a series of colors. Wait for it to dry and then paste the invitation pieces, magazine clippings and other images on the cardboard to create a mosaic. It is often a good idea to have a central focus point of the mosaic such as an image, the date of graduation or a phrase, and then to add the other pieces of the mosaic around that. Secure the pieces to the cardboard with glue and add any text with a marker or pen. Let the mosaic dry and then mount it in the frame.

Fun Extras

You can also choose to decorate the frame itself using paint and clippings from the invitations or magazines. If you are going to use clippings on the frame however, it is a good idea to finish the frame with a sealer to prevent the paper from peeling. The style of the frame should match that of the mosaic. The frame is also a good place to put any focal pieces of information on the gift, such as the date of the graduation or the name of the person who graduated.