DIY Upcycled Picture Frames

Here at our house, we have been attempting to do some spring cleaning. Notice I say attempting. 😉 And really, what I mean by spring clean, is clean-out. We have too much stuff. Ben and I say this all the time, that we have too many things and want to live a simpler life, however, it is hard to find the time to just go through everything and clean it out. You definitely have to be in the right kind of mood.

The other day I was tackling our pile of picture frames. These are frames that were either gifted to us or ones that we stopped using when we cleaned out H’s room to set up his nursery. They are the frames that have been sitting in a box for a LONG time in the garage and being shown no love. And to be honest, I wasn’t really thrilled with the frames (you know, the cheap-o, black and white ones that you give your relatives with pictures of the kids at Christmas), but I couldn’t bare to “just get rid of them” either.

I thought that personalizing them a bit would be a really awesome way of giving them new life and making them really cool and personal. So here it is, a tutorial on DIY Upcycled Picture Frames!

Supplies:

Mod Podge -can be bought at any craft store

Scrapbook paper -whatever variety you choose but 12×12 may work best just to be sure you have enough.

A paintbrush -I like using the foam brushes

A picture frame - doesn’t matter what size

Paper cutter - Like this one, here.

Directions:

Step 1: Using the paper cutter, cut a few strips the desired width (making the widths all equal). For RE and Maiden brand picture frames, the width will be around 3/4 inch.

Step 2: Lay the strip on one side of the frame and pencil in your angled cut marks (they should be where the seams of the frame is in the corners). Do this for all sides, making sure that they line up.

Step 3: Bust out that Mod Podge. Using your paintbrush, paint the wrong side of the paper like you would be gluing it onto the frame. Do this for all 4 sides. Once they are all adhered to the frame, make sure there are no bubbles underneath and if there are, smooth them out with your fingers. Then, apply a layer of Mod Podge over top with your paintbrush. Don’t worry, it dries clear:) *Try not to get it on the glass of the frame for no other reason than it would be annoying to get off.

Step 4: Let your frame dry (it takes a few hours) and then display in the place of your choosing for a new freshened up look!

And now for my list of ideas for these super easy frames:

1. A great way to add a pop of color to a room that needs a little sprucing up.

2. Teacher’s gifts - shrink down the class picture and find some teacher scrapbook paper and give that as a gift.

3. Mother’s Day - great for the grandparents.

4. Birthday presents - my daughter just made one for her friend’s birthday and personalized it even more with some Cricut letters.

5. Father’s Day - find a cute themed paper and this would make a great present for Dad’s desk!

6. Commemorating all of those millions of sports pictures that you get every.single.year.

What would you create with this idea?

Because I love connecting with others, this post is linked up to Project Inspire{d} from Madigan Made!

About Lauryn Blakesley

A woman out to explore, celebrate, and enjoy everything that my community and living locally has to offer. Blessed with three beautiful children and an incredible husband, our family embraces adventure while dreaming of what is to come. Lover of knitting, running (although mostly after little ones right now), the color orange, fun accessories, fall, tea, and a clean kitchen floor. I spend my days in awe of my family and trying to teach my three to treat others as they would want to be treated.

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