DooItEasy

I have an incredibly simple {and inexpensive} project to share with you today. It doesn't get much easier than a cut piece of wood, dowel and twine to create a perfect photo frame / note holder. Just tuck in a wallet size photo and/or love note and you have a quick personalized gift for Father's Day or that special teacher at the end of the year.


Materials Needed:
1 X 4 Piece of Lumber
{or larger width depending upon size of holder you wish to create}
Dowel Rod
Gorilla Wood Glue
DecoArt Americana Acrylics


Begin by cutting the 1 X 4 into 6 inch long blocks. Any size lumber can be used - I simply used scraps that I had left from another project. The size of lumber you choose should depend on what size frame you are looking to create.


Using a hand sander, sand the wood and round the edges a bit if you'd like.


Cut the wooden dowel rod into 4 1/4 inch pieces. Measure the diameter of the wooden dowel and drill a hole using the same size drill bit. The hole should be centered and approximately one inch from the bottom. Drill about 3/4 of the way through the wood making sure not to drill all the way through to the other side.


Glue the dowel into place using a tiny bit of Gorilla Wood Glue. You may need to tap the dowel into place using a hammer - as it should be a pretty snug fit.


Give the wood a base coat of paint. I used DecoArt's Americana White Wash


To create a design using a vinyl stencil - cut a piece of vinyl large enough to cover the front of the wood block. I used my Silhouette machine and three shapes from the online store:{geometric_background_med_1954} {houndstooth_square_lg_1297} and {chevron_pattern_C00192_24282}


Adhere the vinyl to the front of the wood block and add a second coat of paint using a contrasting color. I used DecoArt Stencil Paint in Mississippi Mud.


Once dry, removed the vinyl and distress for a worn look {optional}.


To create the holder cut a piece of twine and staple one end to the back of the frame. Tightly wrap the twine around the wood, approximately 1 1/2 inches up from the bottom, several times and secure with another staple to hold into place.


These are perfect for the mass amount of wallets I receive through out the year of my nieces and nephews...there is always a new school picture, sport's team picture, or family photo coming my way.


The wrapped twine makes it easy to slide in photos and quickly change them out when need be.


I made a set for my desk as well to fashionably display my many to-do lists...at least it makes them pretty to look at, right?
Thank you http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2011/05/make-your-own-wood-block-photo-frames.html

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