A great project you can do in the summer-time, is to make your own picture frames.  It is so easy and a great time for all.

What you need are:

• Sticks, twigs, old boards (small ones)


Hozomeen Cabin in North Cascades National Park

• Crafter’s glue
• Sturdy cardboard
• Utility knife
• Small hatchet
• Decoration: leaves, acorns, nature
• Glass or plastic covering, optional
• String, optional

Have you seen rustic picture frames?  They are attractive and can be memorable.  Gather all the supplies above.  The wood is where the memories can really come in.  Is there an old house that your grandparents used to live in?  Maybe an old family cabin?  If there is wood lying around, or there are plans to tear down the building, gather pieces of it to make your picture frame.  If you don’t have that, take a walk in the woods with the kids and gather supplies.  Make it a day full of family memories.

Lay out your wood, or frame, in the shape and size that you want.  Cut it down the needed dimensions.  Make is square, rectangle, or even a triangle.  This is a very important part of the process.

Now, you need to decide on how to put it together.  Use glue or use string to tie the pieces together which gives it an even more rustic appearance.  This part might be the biggest trial and error section as you make your decision and remake it over and over again.  You want it to be sturdy.  The larger the frame pieces, the more secure it needs to be.  In fact, large frames might need nails to be used.

Once your frame is made, let it dry if you used glue.  Test the frame.  Make sure it is secure and can handle the pull of gravity when hanging on the wall.

Next, you want to get your picture prepared.  Make sure the frame size is right.  You might need to trip the picture.  Also, cut the cardboard to be smaller than the frame yet larger than the picture.  Now, glue or tape the picture to the cardboard.  When dry, attach the cardboard to the frame.

If you are using glass, you will want to glue it to the frame before anything else and let it set.  Make sure that it is secure.  Broken glass pieces are not what you to find a you walk to get your first cup of coffee in the early morning light.

The last thing you want to do is put on any embellishments.  Glue on dried leaves, acorns, or even scrapbooking items.  Have some fun and enjoy.