Tag Archives: picture frames

Framing Your Favorite Photos: One Mat or Two

Ah, the good ol’ single versus double mat dilemma. This is another quandary I often face when it comes to framing my prize-winning shots. Again, this one comes down to personal preference. However, there are a few tips you should keep in mind before settling on one mat or two: Single Mat. If you decide your photo will look fine with a single mat, you might want to stick with a neutral color. This, of course, doesn’t mean your options are dramatically limited. Neutrals can range from ecru to off white to eggshell to Olde Gray. Bottom line: Any neutral … Continue reading →

More Matting Tips

In my previous blog I touted the benefits of framing your prize-winning photos and working with mats to help your images take on a professional quality. I mentioned that there are three basic tips you should keep in mind prior to choosing the perfect mat for your frame: color, quality and size. In this blog I’d like to spend more time going in-depth about the color of your mat. Different color mats can alter the look of your image in a variety of ways. For example, dark mats pop on light walls, and light mats pop on dark walls. Also, … Continue reading →

Framing Your Favorite Photos-—Choosing the Right Mat

You’ve received tips on how to master the fine art of photography, now what are you going to do with all the spectacular shots you’ve captured. Show them off, of course. My home is chock full of images I consider to be “frameworthy.” However, not all of them are framed in the manner in which I think they deserve. Professional framing can be quite expensive. But, the pros understand that sometimes pictures need a boost. Mats can help with that. Mats have the ability to change the way a person views and responds to photographs. I am an advocate of … Continue reading →

New Uses for Picture Frames

If you have picture frames available around your house or at the local thrift store, you have a valuable resource and can do many things with them. Read on to find out how you can transform these frames into useful and beautiful items for your home. Why reuse picture frames? Picture frames are very useful and plentiful to the thrift shopper or curb shopper. People buy too many of them for photos and then discard them. The same is true for framed artwork. When people get tired of their inexpensive art, they get rid of it, frame and all. Some … Continue reading →

Creating A Fabulous Photo Wall

How many of you watched Wednesday’s Oprah show? It featured Oprah’s favorite designer Nate Berkus helping homeowners break out of decorating time warps. It was a great episode and offered a ton of great tips; however, the part of the show that stuck with me came at the end when Nate showed off a mock living room that featured collage frames. You know, the ones found in just about every home in America. They are large wooden squares that feature a series of circles, ovals and other shapes that frame your prize-winning shots. Your pictures may be fabulous, but the … Continue reading →

Christmas Crafts: Music Inspired Decoration or Gift

Your kids will be so proud of their handiwork when this beautiful sheet music craft is completed. This idea is perfect as a Christmas decoration for any room in your home and it also makes a great handmade gifts. There are a couple different variations you can try. What you will need: Picture Frame Sheet Music (from a holiday song or Christmas carol) Glue Christmas picks or other holiday themed decorative items What you will need to do: You can often find old sheet music at antique shops and second hand stores. You can also visit VirtualSheetMusic.com to print off … Continue reading →

Fall Crafts: Framed Poetry and Leaf Art

If your child likes to write poetry, that’s great. If not, no problem. You can go online with your child and help him or her find a cute autumn poem or an inspirational message to use for this project. Pick up sheets of cardstock or pretty computer paper that is the proper size and weight for your printer. Choose an attractive font, and print the poem in the center of the page (or off to one side, wherever you don’t plan to decorate). Trim the page down to 8” x 10” or be sure to select a larger frame. Take … Continue reading →

Picture Frames: Cool Wall Frames

Inexpensive wooden picture frames, any size, will work for these projects. You can also recycle old frames that you no longer use and make them into something special. They should be flat and should have wide edges. Sand and Shells Picture Frame Remove the glass and the backing from the picture frame. Apply a thick layer of paint and dip the entire face of the frame into clean sand while the paint is still wet. Shake off excess and dip again if necessary. Lay flat and make random designs on the frame using a tooth pick to “draw” them. Fill … Continue reading →

Liven Up Your Walls

If you still have bare walls after a move, or if you want to give a space an update, you can do so without becoming an artist or spending a fortune on pricey artwork. These simple methods will help you create some interest without a lot of time, money, or effort. Create a unique grouping of pictures, such as an L shape. The easiest way to do this is to lay the picture frames you intend to use out on large piece of paper and trace them. Hang the paper on the wall, make sure it’s level, and place nail … Continue reading →

Simple Art and Accessory Ideas

Here’s a great way to get more bang for your buck with artwork. Take a large print or poster, something high style and saturated with rich color, and cut it into four equal sections. Mount each piece in a cool picture frame and hang them close together so the image can still be discerned. This idea will work with nearly any style of artwork. Just be sure to choose frames that complement the art. You can also try cutting the print or poster into different sized pieces. Make one large and make several small sections, or go with small, medium, … Continue reading →