Cardboard Picture-frame Makeover

 Since Valentine's Day is just around the corner,

and I had a few cardboard picture-frames lying around,

I thought I would makeover one for V-day. 

(holy run-on sentence Batman!)

The supplies I used:  

• Cardboard picture frame with heart cut-out 
• scrapbook paper 
• seam-binding lace (or whatever lace you might have on hand)
• tacky glue
• Zots
• Hot-glue gun
• Scissors (duh)
• X-Acto Knife 

First, I tried to take out the insert from

the picture frame so I could see how big the inner

picture was, and the cheap thing fell apart!

 

(Good thing too; there's no way I could

have done it with the back on it.)

 

After the frame was apart, I flipped my scrapbook

paper over to the back, laid the frame front on it, 

and traced around the frame and inside the heart.

Then, I cut out about 1/2-in around the trace of

the frame.

Next, I cut an 'X' from one side of the heart

to the other and cut up the inside into 1/2-in

"flaps"--to be folded into the frame.

I placed the frame on top and folded the pieces

inward and glued them down using the tacky glue.

Then, I glued the outer edges of the paper.

The next thing I did, I can't show you... LOL.

I had to hold the frame and the lace at the same time,

so I couldn't take pics.

I took my X-Acto knife and cut my 

Zots (sticky circles used to adhere

pictures/paper) into smaller pieces. Then I 

stuck one small piece just on the inside edge of the

heart. I overlapped the lace, using my nail

to push it into the Zot. Then I moved on about

1/4 inch and placed another Zot and overlapped

the lace the other way; creating a ruffled effect.

I continued doing this until I reached my starting point.

Then, using the hot-glue gun, I put a tiny bead in

a few places on the outside of the heart, to make 

the lace lay down.

After letting the paper on the back dry some,

I super-glued around the bottom and the two sides

to attach the front to the back. (This frame

also had a piece of string attached between the front 

and back, to hold the "leg-thing" up in the back. Yes

that is the technical term that I'm using...)

Here is the finished product with a picture of 

"The Princess", my niece.

I hope y'all like this. :) I think it is super-cute

and can be used not only for Valentine's Day,

but all year long. Especially since I put

this sweet picture in it! ☺

Don't you love the frame on the right too? I got 

it at TJ Maxx for $4.00. I made the heart inside

out of felt, which I sewed on in a zig-zag

pattern. (It didn't turn out the way I had planned,

but that was the first time using my sewing machine.)

 

************************

 

Also, you may have noticed my glue-gun:

 I'm sure all you crafters out there have heard

of  Hot Glue Gun Helpers. I would love to have one, 

but since I don't have much money for

stuff like that, I had to improvise. That CD you see

is actually one of those old AOL discs everyone

used to get in the mail that offered free hours

of AOL. I knew keeping it would come in handy! :)