If you've been following my series on cost effective ways to decorate your walls with pictures you'll see I have a surprise!

#5 addresses what if You can't afford the frames. Yes, you can often find inexpensive ones in some stores, but what about making use of something you already have that wont cost you a dime, at least not for the reuse!

I'm sure you have shoe boxes, or other shallow small fairly rigid boxes lying round. So here's a throwback to my days as a package designer, making a 3D frame.

Start with choosing a box and select a pattern that works well with it. ( my tutorial uses something I had from anther part of this series). Print your pattern and make sure its large enough to cover your box/lid.

box/lid frame box frame

Lay the box/lid in the center of the back of the paper, then pencil lines from the corners to the edge of the paper, and then cut them on the line.

box frame box lid

Spray the back of the paper with a heavy coat of spray glue. Place the box back on the paper in the marked spot, and begin folding over the paper on the sides and secure them on the inside with some strong tape. Fold up the ends last making all of the previous box hidden, and with a sharp clean edge.

box frame box frame

Add a weight to the inside ( anything you find) I used an old battery. This helps to give it weight and substance and prevents it from blowing away. Now you see it resembles a painted canvas, that can also be hung without a frame.

Hang It!

box frame box frame

Now, this might not be the best piece of art to apply, I just used what I had. Here below, I created a design using the long shoe box. In this version, I envision, you can paint the sides of the box a solid color and cut and apply the art/photo accurately on the face panel. You can group sereral of the same size boxes together, for a finished effect.

I hope you like it and try it!

 

                                            shoebox frame

 
Posted by Ellen Caruso on 03/20/2012 03:41 AM   Comments (23)   Decorating on a Dime in the ActiveRain Channel  
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23 Comments on Getting Framed #5 (a surprise addition to my series)

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

MAR
20
2012
1,139,936 Points 154 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Ellen - What a super creative idea.  I should start doing some of these with my niece.  She would have a blast.
4:09am • #4
988,516 Points 82 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Great idea Ellen..............damn, you're clever!
5:06am • #5
1,055,638 Points 2 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

OK I Know I have said this before, but I am totally sharing your series with some crafty friends of mine (I am not)
7:20am • #6
388,883 Points 21 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Amy, using Tanners art would be perfect, I can already imagine his smile!

Ginny, how easy and cost effective? Hope they have as much fun as I did!

Dorie, Thanks for following along and all your comments. Over the years we've moved several times and with new walls to cover I get into action.

Deb, Perfect for kids, and small shoeboxes!

Roger, I must have had no toys to play with as a kid... I always invent my own!

Kristin, Glad to share, this is my pleasure!
9:04am • #7
473,353 Points 35 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Ellen, you had me at reuse. Creative and green, aren't you the perfect woman? This does remind me of Canvas art - at a fraction of the cost. I like your sketched rendition too. Wonderful, wonderful ideas.

We're heading to Alaska tomorrow for my oldest grandson's 5th Birthday. Wish they lived in Hawaii about now. ;) Oh well, it'll be fun to see the family.  Take care and we'll talk soon.  D

9:40am • #8
388,883 Points 21 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Debb, Have a great trip and enjoy the family! Hope the weather is sun filled and as beautiful as I imagine. Take pictures and of course VIDEO! Save travels!
11:06am • #9
552,201 Points 20 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Ellen~ More good ideas!  You are just chocked full of them.  I like the smaller ones.  Very creative.  What else would I expect?
3:38pm • #10
357,674 Points 15 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Okay....so that is the most clever thing I have ever seen. Seriously! Clever, clever, clever. I think I missed #4 so need to go find it. LOL
7:01pm • #11
781,769 Points 38 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Now this is just plain brilliant!  I'm so disappointed that I didn't think of it!  LOL!
7:06pm • #12
MAR
21
2012
388,883 Points 21 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Donna, Imagine if creativity was my full time job! Wow, I'd love it.
4:01am • #13
354,520 Points 30 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Ellen,

You are right! I am pleasantly surprised! I never would have thought of that idea and you crafted it well. If I ever get some free time, I'd like to try all the techniques and ideas you shared with us. Thank you so much. Your creativity is a gift and I'm thankful you are willing to share it with us. I am definitely benefiting by your illustrations. Another book, perhaps? You are a creative genius!!!

Patricia
4:39am • #14
388,883 Points 21 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Shar, I used to design Packaging so you can imagine this was right up my alley, but It only came to me while doing thise series. So fun and easy.

Sharon, like others mentioned, do it with your grandsons art!

Patricia, I love to be creative and things homemade are the best. Thank you for your comments and I must add, you were equally on my mind, my mom and I discussed orchids and I told her of your blog, Im going there to see what I missed.
1:03pm • #15
869,196 Points 5 Featured Posts

Ellen

Extremely interesting, and obviously it works. That's creative!

Brian
6:13pm • #16
MAR
22
2012
796,089 Points Outside Blog

Good morning Ellen.

This is another creative idea that will be put into good use.

Thank you.
2:39am • #17
1,189,605 Points 32 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Fabulous idea Ellen! Love it, and you saved the landfill from more cardboard boxes!! Now if only I hadn't thrown those perfectly sized boot boxes out and was as creative as you in drawing those flowers in those last photos!! Keep this type of series going!! 
12:40pm • #18
388,883 Points 21 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Brian, Creative and Fun to do....give it a try!

Josh, thats me always playing around and creating.

Al & Peggy, I'm supposed to teach a class this summer on recycling cosemetic packaging, getting my juices flowing!
7:29pm • #19
MAR
23
2012
1,032,103 Points 239 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Ellen- I love the idea of repurposing items we have.  I just thought of one my boot boxes!  Good idea adding the old battery for weight!  
10:12pm • #20
MAR
24
2012
545,620 Points 120 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Ellen:  I have missed this series (but am catching up with it this morning).  I like the idea of the battery as a weight to hold the box on the wall.  Most shoe stores will give you mountains of boxes, if you only ask.  
4:00am • #21
507,520 Points 1 Featured Post Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
You are so talented, Ellen! What a creative and cost effective green way to decorate. You should also share this on Pinterest.
7:34am • #22
388,883 Points 21 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Kathy, my kids questioned the battery but as I showed them the purpose they agreed, now they are saving bateries for their own versions.

Valerie, tons of boxes???? Well I could biuld a house then!

Lee & Carol, I really do need to get caught up and create a Pinterest page. Thanks for the idea, and your kind comment!
3:20pm • #23

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