One Frame For Every Season

I'm so excited to share with you my latest dollar store craft!  It's easy and inexpensive to make and can be displayed year round--simply change the ornaments for each season/holiday. 

Adapt it to fit your own style and decor, by choosing your favorite color, fabric, and ornaments.

Want to make one?  Here's what you'll need:

 Frame

 I bought the frame unfinished from the dollar store, spray painted it black, and then sanded it some to distress it.  You don't need glass in the frame so check your storage boxes and thrift stores for frames without glass for an even cheaper option.

Ornaments/Seasonal Shapes

It's a great time now to shop clearance for ornaments or you can display ornaments or other items that you already have.  The barn star and very cute snowman ornaments cost only $1 each from the dollar store.

Burlap or Other Fabric

 You'll need a piece of burlap/fabric large enough to fit over the backing of the frame with extra to wrap to the back.

Piece of Ribbon

Must be long enough to fit the length of the frame with enough extra to wrap it around the frame to the back.

 Sheetrock Nails, Small Dowels, or Hooks

I chose to use nails because they are cheap and I like the look of the metal with the black frame and burlap.  Some stores sell nails individually if you need to buy them.  

Hot Glue Gun

Drill

Use a drill bit as close to the nail size as possible.  It's important to drill a pilot hole first or the nail may crack the wood when you hammer it in.  Trust me, you don't want to learn this the hard way. :)

Easel (Optional)

This is another item from the dollar store.  I always keep an eye out for small black metal easels at the dollar stores and stock up on them when I find them.  They can display a lot of things and are nice to have on hand.

Directions:

  

1.  Remove the glass, mat, and the back from the frame.  You won't need the glass or the mat (save them for other projects). 

2.  Cut a piece of burlap, or any fabric, large enough to cover the cardboard backing of the frame, wrap it around to the back and hot glue in place.  Trim the fabric in the corners.  (If you're frame doesn't have a back with it, use a piece of cardboard.)

3.  Drill 3 evenly spaced holes across the top of the frame large enough for the nails.  Hammer the nails into the holes.  Because my frame was so small, I drilled all of the way through it.   I added some hot glue to the back to cover the sharp points on the nails and to keep them in place.

4.  Place the backing back into the frame.

5.  Wrap the ribbon around the frame and secure it in the back with tape or hot glue. (I chose to tape it so it will be easier to change the ribbon for future holidays.  I used a remnant of ribbon from a Christmas package, that's why it's such a strange length.

6.  If you have it, flip the cardboard (that comes with the frame) with the photos printed on it around and use it as the backing.  If not, cut a piece of poster board to fit.  If you want to display the frame somewhere where the back is visible you could cover the cardboard with burlap/fabric.

7.  Hang the ornaments/objects on the nails and admire your hard work!

My Total Cost:  $4--to buy the ornaments and the frame. I already had the rest of the items that I used.   You should be able to make this for under $8, depending on what items you already have on hand.

One more idea:  Hang ornaments that your kids/grand kids/ have made for you recently or in years past.  Display them with honor (pink yarn and all) and enjoy and remember these sweet gifts.

 

Today's Fabulous Find...One Frame For Every Season

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Tator Tots and Jello