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How to make a creative picture frame

Displaying family portraits is a sentimental way to capture and remember your family’s history. Sometimes, however, less formal snapshots — that are easily changed around — make a fun personal statement to decorate the walls of your home. Depending on the size of frame used, you can show off several 4×6 sized prints on clever clothesline ribbons, reflecting a current hobby, cherished family pets or a recent vacation.

You will need these supplies to make one clothesline style gallery frame:

  • Large, vintage frame (frame shown measures 14″ x 16″)
  • 2 Yards – ½” ribbon
  • Fabric, large enough to cover frame opening, plus 3″ on each side
  • Rolled batting, large enough to cover frame opening plus 2″ on each side
  • Heavy corrugated cardboard, cut 1/8″ smaller than frame opening on all sides
  • Wooden clothespins
  • Paint, paintbrush, hot glue

Step one:

Clean and paint your frame. If your frame has glass or any backing material, this should be removed and carefully discarded.

Step two:

Cover your cardboard backing piece in one layer of cotton batting and one layer of fabric and hot glue one side at a time. Tuck and glue corners as shown. Your fabric should be taut enough to avoid wrinkles, but use care to avoid bending your cardboard backing by pulling too tight.

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