How to Make Homemade Photo Frames

You can paint frames a variety of colors and textures to create the look you want.

Expensive frames are nice, but homemade frames come from the heart. Using recyclable materials from your home, create frames to display your favorite photos. With a little creativity, you can turn cardboard and paint into a showcase for your memories.

Things You'll Need

• Ruler
• Cardboard
• Cardboard cutter
• Pencil
• Acrylic latex paint
• Paint brush
• Shellac sealant spray
• Heavy cardstock
• Glue

Instructions

1. Measure the photo you want to frame and add about an inch to each side to get your frame size. For example, if your photo is five inches by seven inches, your frame will be be six inches by eight inches.

2. Cut your cardboard according to your measurements. Place your photo in the center of your cardboard and trace around it with a pencil. Cut along the pencil line with a cardboard cutter and remove the piece.

3. Paint your cardboard frame with acrylic latex paint. Let that dry, then using a different paint color, write the name of the person in the photo, the date the photo was taken or a quote that is significant to the photo. Allow the paint to dry for a few hours, then spray your frame with shellac sealant.

4. Cut out four strips of thick cardstock about half an inch wide and an inch or so long. Glue these strips to the back of your frame in each corner so they connect the edges, making small triangle shapes. These strips will hold your photo in the frame.

5. Put your photo in the frame by gently bending it and securing it between the strips of paper and the back of the frame. Hang it with mounting tape, attach a string to the back, or add small hooks.

Tips & Warnings

• Glue jewels and stones to your photo frame to add more texture and a little sparkle.

• Use the top side of a tissue box to make a recycled frame.

• Always spray frames with shellac, as cardboard tends to deteriorate if not protected with sealant.

• To make a frame for a large photo, use a large poster board.

• Experiment with different shapes for frames, like a heart, star or circle.

• The cardstock corners on the back of the frame allow you to change the photos easily.

References

• Making Friends: Recycled Ideas For Photo Frames