I didn’t get the crafty gene. All the other females in my family received it, but me – I don’t do crafts well. I have other talents for sure, and luckily I’m good at reading directions! When the ‘crafty’ bug gets me I always look for someone else’s ideas to follow, and that’s what appeals to me about my guest post today! Simple, easy to follow directions will let even the clumsiest crafter create a gift worthy of giving – just check it out and see for yourself! And please check back when you’re done and let me know how it turned out!

Low-Cost, Easy Holiday Christmas Craft
By Debbie Ward of Lucky Paper Girl Arts

Here’s how make a beautiful holiday frame with deep personal meaning out of an ordinary, inexpensive craft store frame. Not only is this a fine way to display one of your most treasured photos, it also makes a heartfelt and appreciated gift. Like to scrapbook? You probably have almost all of these supplies on hand already!

Supplies: Unfinished frame, Mod Podge, Holiday Designer Paper, Die Cuts or other Embellishments, Red Line Tape, Ribbon, Sanding Block, Craft Knife, Circle Punch, Distressing Ink, Photo

1. Purchase an inexpensive frame from your craft store and take the glass and frame back off.

2. Find a piece of your favorite holiday paper and cut it to the frame size, or about a quarter inch larger than your frame.

3. Take your bottle of Mod Podge and spread it on your frame. Try to make the coat as even as possible.

4. Let the Mod Podge dry a few hours or overnight. Turn the frame over, and take a craft knife and trim out the frame opening.

5. Sand the edges with a sanding block.

6. Add another layer of Mod Podge to the frame. Make sure to pay attention to the edges and look for air bubbles. If air bubbles are present, take a pin or craft knife and make a small hole or slit and cover with Mod Podge. Let dry again for a couple of hours. Depending on the type of Mod Podge used, your project may have a matte or shiny finish.

7. I die cut two Christmas trees from coordinating paper and distressed the edges of them. I also distressed the edges of the frame at this point. The frame must be totally dry to do this. I attached the first tree with red line tape and the second tree with “pop dots” to raise it up and give the frame some dimension.

8. Attach a strip of red line tape around the entire frame. Peel off the tape carefully and attach a coordinating ribbon around the entire frame. Side note: If you wish, before you begin this project, you could paint the entire frame with a couple coats of acrylic paint. The ribbon step could be optional.

9. To finish the project, I die cut a scalloped circle and printed a title on my ink jet printer. I punched it out with my circle punch and attached it to the frame with pop dots.

This project can also be completed by older children for grandparents or extended family — with the exception of the craft knife step, and a parent can assist with that. My daughters also do this for their friends on their birthday; they change the paper and put in a picture of them with the birthday girl/boy. This project can be adapted to any season of the year. I was able to complete this project for under $5…a deal by any standards!

Elin Coats writes and edits for FavorIdeas, and wants to put flamingo feathers on her Christmas tree this year. She hopes you’ll stop by for adorable favors designed for fun holiday parties.

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Jennifer Wolfe

Jennifer Wolfe, a writer-teacher-mom, is dedicated to finding the extraordinary in the ordinary moments of life by thinking deeply, loving fiercely, and teaching audaciously. Jennifer is a Google Certified Educator, Hyperdoc fanatic, and a voracious reader. Read her stories on her blog, mamawolfe, and grab free copies of her teaching and parenting resources.

Comments: 6

Bella

December 10, 2011

Oh, I love this project! I think I may even be able to pull this one off! But I’m wondering if something else can be substituted for ModPodge. I’ve never been able to find it in Europe. Suggestions welcome! 🙂

mamawolfe

Hi Mary~ Never say never! You might surprise yourself! Thanks for stopping by.
Hi Terri~ I agree-the author did a great job! Makes it seem like anyone can do it!
Hi Carla~ Thank you! I’m glad you liked mamawolfe-I sure do!
Susan~ Awesome! Let me know if you make it, and send me pictures of how it turns out!

mamawolfe

Christmas Crafty – guest post by Debbie Ward

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