Friday, August 20, 2010

Recycled Picture Frame

A few weeks ago while I was at HomeGoods I saw these adorable little magazine picture frames -- they were so cute!  And as much as I loved them and HAD to have them, I just couldn't overlook that $14.99 price tag.  It definitely wasn't a NEED -- so I sadly left without them.  But don't worry-- I'm a problem solver, so I came up with a way to make my own -- so here's the how-to for you thrifty, do-it-yourself, blog-loving gals. :)

First I went to the Dollar Tree and got a two pack of 4x6 frames for $1.00.  

Then I grabbed a stash of old magazines that I hadn't thrown away yet.  (I think I've mentioned before that I have a slight problem throwing things away)

I cut out a good variety of text only pages, colorful ads, and a mix of both.  



 Then I grabbed a handful of skinny drinking straws (not the extra fat ones like McDonald's gives out).


And here's where the project begins .....











 I glued each straw to the BACK of the magazine page I wanted to use.  And here's a tip for you -- you don't have to use the whole page -- and actually I would recommend using a piece of the page.  You aren't going to roll up a lot of paper -- just a little bit.  Now, LET THE GLUE DRY!  Be patient and just make sure it's completely hardened before you decide to roll up the magazine page -- it makes it easier, believe me. :)  I tried the hard way first.


 Now roll up those magazine pages!  You can see above that I don't have a lot rolled up.  I only twisted the page about two times around the straw.  Now take your glue gun and glue the edge almost like you're sealing the roll together.  Wait for it to dry and then cut the excess paper off.


Now keep making rolls of magazine pages until your hands are numb.  No, just kidding. :)  I did these while we were watching TV, and it took no time at all.   It all depends on the size of your frame -- I did four straws per side -- so 16 straws.  You want to make sure they are really squished together so there's no frame showing through.


 Okay -- this is the toughest part.  I cut my straws at a 45 degree angle to make a nice "seam" in the corners -- but I've seen frames that do it differently -- so be creative and make it however you want. :)  And I'm sorry -- but I have no good tips for cutting your straws at a 45 degree angle.  I just used the trial and error method. Probably not the best advice to give -- but it worked for me. :)



I glued first straw on the outside and let it hang over the edge slightly.  Then I glued the remaining straws as close to each other as possible -- you want them to hang over the edge a little so you can't see the dollar store frame.  Even the corners should be squished together.


And once everything is glued on, take some high-luster Mod Podge and paint a light coat on the magazine rolls.  Let it dry, and you should have this:



Definitely not perfect  -- but for $.50, it's not too bad. :)  I'm going to try to make another one with the other frame, so hopefully by then I'll get down how to make a perfect magazine roll.

Linking up to:
Mondays:Between Naps on the Porch ; C.R.A.F.T; Craft-O-Maniac; Keeping it Simple; Mad in Crafts; Making the World Cuter; The DIY Showoff; The Girl Creative Tuesdays:  All Thingz Related; House of Grace; I'm Topsy Turvy; Lucky Star Lane; Sugar Bee Craft Edition; The CSI Project; These Creative Juices; Today's Creative Blog Wednesdays:  Blue Cricket Design; Creations by Kara; Debbiedoos; Domestically Speaking; My Backyard Eden; Night Owl Crafting; Seven Thirty Three; Someday Crafts; The Thrifty Home; Trendy Treehouse Thursdays: Beyond the Picket Fence; Craftastical!; Fireflies & Jellybeans; House of Hepworths; Life as Lori; Somewhat Simple; The Shabby Chic Cottage Fridays:  Chic on a Shoestring; Finding Fabulous; Fingerprints on the Fridge; Frou Frou Decor; Frugal & Fabulous Design; It's a Hodge Podge Life; It's Fun to Craft!: Just a Girl; Remodelaholic; Simply Designing; The Shabby Nest; Tatertots & Jello Weekend:  A  Little Lovely; Be Different Act Normal; Funky Junk Interiors; House of Thrifty Decor; I Heart Naptime; Kuzak's Closet; Under the Table & Dreaming


31 Hand-Me-Downers Shared:

Terrell said...

I can't get over your talent!! These are way cute and I'm going to have to make some! Thank you so much for linking this up to my party at Frou Frou Decor!!
~Terrell @ FFD~

Julie @ Wally and Jules said...

Cute idea! I think I'm going to try some of these. I had blogged a little while ago about my inability to throw out magazines, too! I'm happy to have found a fellow hoarder! ;) Happy Friday!

Heather said...

this is terrific! I love this idea. I've seen similar frames at Home Goods with just newspaper, and I always liked them but not the $8 for one frame.

Decorchick! said...

LOVE IT!!! You are SO creative it kills me!!!

Unknown said...

very cute! I may have to try it!

KimMalk said...

I love this idea. I like the look of newspapers and magazines in crafts, plus it's smart recycling.

Suzanne@Meridian Road said...

I LOVE this! SO cute, and ANYONE could afford something like this. Very cool. Thanks!

Taffy said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE this! Now I know the reason I have stacks of Martha Stewart Living laying around my craft room. Thanks!

ChRiS said...

wow how neat is this

Allison {A Glimpse Inside} said...

I saw these at TJ Maxx and thought about making one too. Very cute!

Anonymous said...

That's cute! I don't know if I have the patience for all that work, but it turned out fabulous!

Mandi@MandiBeingCrafty said...

Oh my!!! You always come up with the best stuff!!! Love it!

Mandi

www.mandipandidesigns.blogspot.com

Kristy said...

Great tutorial - thanks! I've seen similar ideas before, but the papers always looked so tightly wound that it seemed like it would take more time than I wanted to spend. This looks like a much quicker version, especially using the straws!

Many years ago, I used to cover inexpensive frames with cut-out strips from magazines. Sometimes they were random, and sometimes color-coordinated. Once I made a set of 3 frames using small strips of white, cream, and metallic colored pieces for a friend's wedding.

Catalog pages work great for this as well, if you're just looking for color and not so much print.

Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

This is awesome - you make some great stuff!

Melissa said...

That is pretty cute. I bet it would look great with a paper flower or three in the corner.

Unknown said...

What a clever idea! I bet wrapping or craft paper could look cute, too.
Love it.

michelle said...

I have seen these too and you did better than the original! They turned out so great!! You are so creative!! Thank you for sharing!

Zerique said...

very cool!!! and inexpensive! i love inexpensive!

The Polka Dot Closet said...

How creative, what a lot of work! Thank you for stopping by, I am going to grab a burger......and a few straws!!

Carol

Anonymous said...

Your so stinkin' creative, I love it! You see something you want so you just make it!!! My hero!! I'll have to add this to my "to do" list!
lifeofperks.blogspot.com

Rose Casell said...

How fun! I love it!

The Pennington Point said...

Are you kidding me?! I've seen these too, but I never even considered making my own. The straws are perfect because they unify the size of the rolls. I may have to make myself one now. Thanks! Lisa~

Angela said...

Hey,
I got awarded now you’ve been awarded for inspiring me! You can pick up your award at
http://www.unexpectedelegance.com
Angela

Unknown said...

what a cool idea!!! come on over and link up to MMM :)

Megan Gunyan said...

WOW! Talk about your creativity! You could do so many variations on this, too....with color, paper, etc. Great idea!

I'm having a Target giveaway at my blog! Love it if you could stop by. alittleknickknack.blogspot.com

Sarah @ ImSimplySarah said...

Thanks for the kind comment on my blog! I had to follow you over here and see your blog :) These are wonderfully cheap frames! I can envision making these, filling in the corner gaps with a little glue,gluing a piece of cardboard (maybe from a cereal box) on the back for support and painting the whole thing. No one would ever know it was a recycled frame!

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

I think it's differenct and really cool!

Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming said...

Amanda - This is such a neat idea! I love the look and the fact that it is recycled is fabulous! Fantastic job! I have featured this today - stop by and grab a featured button if you like. Hope you are enjoying your weekend! Thanks for linking to The Sunday Showcase. ~ Stephanie Lynn

http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2010/08/three-scoops-of-love-winner-last-weeks.html

Saraccino said...

Sooo cool! Love it! Have to make some for myself! (or others ^^)

Kristy said...

I just made one of these this weekend and posted it on my blog and then saw yours featured on CRAFTS. Brilliant minds think alike huh? :)

I'm following you now!

See mine at www.illgetyoumypretties.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

We are so glad you joined us for Anything Related! Come back tomorrow for another great party!

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