How to Make Colorful Picture Frames

Create a photo frame that is colorful and interesting by decoupaging one.

Turn plain wooden, plastic or glass photo frames into colorful displays of your favorite photos. The process is inexpensive and allows you to personalize and customize your frames exactly as you like. This works well if you can't find frames you like or if you want a specific color or design for a photo. Decoupaging is simple enough for anyone to do, and the creative possibilities and opportunity to inject color into a frame are almost endless.

Things You'll Need

• Photo frame, any size
• Damp cloth
• Sandpaper
• Acrylic paint
• Paint brush
• Ruler
• Sponge
• Scissors
• Mod Podge decoupage solution
• Decorative paper, magazines or scrapbook paper
• Ribbons, buttons, beads or embellishments
• Glue

Instructions

1. Sand the whole frame, including the front and the edges. This only needs to be done if you are using a wooden frame. For a plastic or glass frame, wipe the frame down with a damp cloth using mild soap so you're sure it's clean.

2. Paint the wooden frame any color you like, using acrylic craft paint and a paint brush. Let the frame dry completely. Skip this step if you're using a plastic or glass frame.

3. Measure the front sides of the frame to see how much decorative paper you will need. Allow for an inch overlap on each side of the paper.

4. Cut the paper into strips that fit each side of the frame. You should have four strips: two for the horizontal sides and two for the vertical sides.

5. Spread decoupage solution on to the frame with a paint brush or sponge in a thin, even layer. Add more if necessary.

6. Put the decorative paper on top of the decoupage solution, pressing down as you go so you don't leave any bubbles or wrinkles. Add horizontal paper strips first, and overlap the vertical pieces of the paper on the frame.

7. Add another coat of decoupage solution over the paper to secure it to the frame, and let it dry.

8. Glue embellishments to the frame. Thin ribbon or bows, beads, butttons, stones or sequins will add color and pizazz to it.

9. Place the photo in the newly decorate frame once the project is dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Use photos and images from magazines or scrapbook paper with designs instead of decorative paper.

• Recycle gift wrap or tissue paper to decoupage the frames.

References

• Homemade Gift Guru: Simple Decoupage Frame

Resources

• Scan Digital; Photo Craft; October 2009