3D Collage Frame

I have some 5" x 7" prints that I purchased on sale that have just sat around in the corner of my room for years. I've never hung them up despite how much I love Audrey Hepburn because generally I find frames boring and don't like shopping for them. The idea of a fabric backing around and behind the photo and adding 3-D elements to a photo was appealing, and that is what I am attempting today.

I picked up a suitably deep photo frame (I keep referring to it mentally as a 'deep-dish pizza' frame) at Joann's and a pretty fabric in the remnants bin. I cut the fabric to fit the back cardboard side of the frame and then left a few inches along all sides.

Lay the fabric out and glue the back of the frame to it so that the side that faces the frame glass is against the back side of the fabric. Make sure the fabric isn't bunched up or bubbled anywhere and let it dry for awhile.Next, cut the edges off the fabric so that there are four panels of fabric that go past the edge, then turn and glue those down. Again, let it dry.

Above: Helpful hint- use spray glue. I used Tacky Glue, which, though very effective, showed through the fabric. If you do this it isn't really an issue since the fabric will be covered with stuff later.

Below: If the frame has a little hanger on it already, just cut the fabric around it.

Now for the super fun part- decorate! I found ribbon and lace and random little things in my craft drawer to make my print photos interesting, and glued them all to the fabric. Let it dry as well, and then hang up the frame and enjoy a completely unique piece of homemade art!

More Mod Podge

I used the whole bottle of Mod Podge Dimensional Magic in under 24 hours, and a new, larger bottle is on my list for my next Joann's run. I remembered that my plastic mini-organizer is ugly. Ten years ago when I bought it at WalMart, my idea of home decoration was coloring things with Sharpies and putting those 50-cent stickers from Taco Bell on everything. Since it hasn't broken I never replaced it, and it could use a new exterior since its sadly Sharpie'd presence is in plain sight all the time. See? Ugly:

First, I found a large picture I liked in a magazine- in this case, an ad for herbs in an old copy of Food Network Magazine. I cut it out and then trimmed it to fit in the top groove of the storage unit, gluing it down with craft glue. Try to squeeze out all the air bubbles with a flat edge, but don't tear the image or you'll have to scrape it out and start over!

Next, pour Mod Podge Dimensional Magic on it until there is a smooth, even layer of it on top of the image. Leave it alone to dry for a few hours on a flat surface.

To which I say: Moooood Pooooodge....

I left it overnight (about 12 hours) just to be safe, and then viola! A new (old) desk storage box!