Guest Author - Diane Claus

Basic Frame
4+
You will need:
-Cardboard
-Construction paper -though most any type of paper will work
-Glue

First is take a piece of cardboard about an inch and a half larger then the document or picture and cover it like a book using a piece of construction paper. You can opt to have the paper showing around the edge to give the picture a matted look.

Then take and cut two pieces of thin cardboard about an inch wide and as long as the base cardboard. Cover it with a different piece of paper of your choice and glue to the base on the top and bottom of the base. Repeat for this sides to give your picture a bit of depth. You can repeat making each edge a little bit smaller as much as you want till you get the depth they want. Smaller picture tend to make a huge impact with a large and deep frame.


Pictures Framing Picture Frame
4+
You will need:
-Cardboard
-Construction paper (I recommend black)
-Contact paper or a laminator
-Glue or Velcro
-Small pictures

Cut the cardboard 2-4 inches larger then the picture.

Cover the cardboard using a piece of construction paper. Print out or make small pictures and laminate them or use clear contact paper to protect the pictures and glue them around the outside edge of the covered cardboard.

If you are making a frame for a family picture try attaching the hook side of velcro onto the back of the laminated pictures and using the velcro to make a border around the edge of the base. Use the soft side of velcro on the base. Use pictures of individual family members to make the outside of the frame. By having velcro if there is a new baby an old picture can be taken down so the baby has a place or pictures can be updated as kids grow and change.

Here are a few more ideas to personalize your frame:

Glue pressed leaves and flowers collected from a nature walk.

Glue old game pieces around the edges.

Spread glue around the edges and sprinkle glitter or confetti.