How to Create Framed Pictures Cheaply

To give a house that homey feeling you need pictures. Many times the nice pictures with the beautiful frames can be quite expensive, but there are ways to create framed pictures at minimal cost. Follow these easy steps to create framed pictures you will cherish for a lifetime.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Frames
• Mattes
• Magazines
• Calendars
• Newspapers

1. Before you find frames you'll have to know what sizes you need. Flip through old calendars, magazines and newspapers to find pictures you love. Carefully cut them out and save them.

2. Take measurements of the photos. Chances are they will not be a size that is easily matched with frames, so you'll have to either cut the pictures to fit a frame or use mattes and size them up or down as necessary.

3. Look at your images closely and decide if the quality of the picture will be better preserved by making it smaller to fit a frame or by matting the artwork and then framing it.

4. Once you have determined what size you wish to make the picture and if you want mattes, shop around to buy desired mattes.

5. Now you know what size frames you need. Take your pictures and mattes with you. Go to thrift stores, garage sales and places where you can find frames that are inexpensive.

6. Consider the theme of the pics and the colors in them as well as the colors of the mattes you will use, then pick the frames that will compliment the matted pictures. Have fun and create your own gallery.

Tips & Warnings

• When you go to stores, ask the clerk if you can take the pictures and mattes inside with you so you can match them with frames. They will most likely comply.

Resources

• Framing Pictures
• Hanging Pictures