pictured charm
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I’ve been collecting frames for the past months, with the intention to liven up a big, blank wall in our living room. It’s huge, beige and boring. Today I finally pulled out the stack of frames, boxes of photos (both family and found images I’ve bought at antique shops over time), and some scrapbooking supplies–determined to add a bit of personality and color to our “problem wall”! I thought it would be fun to show you all how I did this, especially since it’s both easy, colorful and inexpensive (the latter being the catchphrase for most of my decorating!). I know it’s a take off from the usual fashion-centered fare here, so I hope someone will find it useful!
[ click for a larger view. ]
To do this project you’ll need: a frame (the picture area being larger than the photo you intend to frame), a snapshot or old photo, scrapbook paper (old wallpaper, wrapping paper, etc. would work just as well. Just realize these tend to not be archival safe; a concern especially for older photographs), stick on labels (optional; mine are from the Martha Stewart line of scrapbooking supplies), ruler, pencil, pen, and scissors.
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Begin by measuring the photo area of your frame and measure out on the backside of the scrapbook paper. An easier way to do this is just remove the paper insert that comes in many new frames and trace it. Cut out.
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Measure your photo, and mark where you would like to center it on your piece of scrapbook paper. I positioned mine slightly above the horizontal center mark, to allow for a label. Attach the two top photo corners. I found this worked best when the photo was slipped into the corners.
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Attach the bottom corners.
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Attach the stick on label. This is totally optional, but I thought added a bit of charm to the piece. You can write something in, or leave it blank!
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Slip the entire piece into the frame, secure the back on, and find a wall to add a bit of color and fun to! I’ve also done this with a handful of other photos and love how it sets the pictures off, without the fussiness of using a mat (or annoyance of cutting your own!).
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I hope you enjoyed this! I’ve been pumping out loads of budget-friendly decorating ideas lately. Especially Christmas ideas. We just found out last week that Sailor Husband’s family is going to be celebrating both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in our little apartment, so ideas on how to add a bit more festivity (we don’t have many Christmas decorations yet!) on a shoestring have been my newest brainstorm! hehe!
Posted on October 20th, 2009 to creativity, playing house, tutorial.
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sponsor spotlight: personal picks »29 lovely thoughts to “pictured charm”
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Emma G says:
You have absoloutley gorgeous handwriting and I’m sure that wall looks AMAZING now.
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Betty Lou says:
oh my! I have a big pile of old frames that are waiting to get up on the wall, i just can’t decide where to put them so they’ve been laying for a while now.
You’re handwriting is so beautiful! The idea with the label is brilliant!
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Little Rascal says:
That’s so sweet!
Well done! <3 -
Franca says:
these look beautiful! We have a wall that we intend to fill with lots of pictures too, but we’re going for the slow approach, hanging one picture at a time, like one a month, as we find them, until the wall is filled up. Not the most logical thing to do really – your planned approach makes much more sense!
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Therese says:
I absolutely adore your blog! It’s a bliss to read your entries and I’m stunned by your creativity. Everytime I read your blog, I get inspired. Thanks for all your lovely suggestions and creations
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Marmielu says:
These turned out great! I like them, and can’t wait to see them grouped together. It also reminds me that I need to hunt through my photos for you. (Shame on me!) Well, as I’m preoccupied with my own decorating projects, you’ll for give me?
Mom -
Laura says:
That’s a great idea. I love how they turned out!
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Amanda says:
I’ll be honest–when I first saw this, I thought, “Well, duh, that’s so easy, anyone could think of that.”
But then it dawned on me…I have several old pictures of my mom, just laying in a box somewhere. And this would be the perfect way to use/display them.
So many anyone could think of that, but I didn’t! LOL.
Thanks for the great idea!
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jennine says:
October 20th, 2009 at 11:55 am
wow… i really need to get off my arse and get some pictures on the wall!
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Sarah says:
What a cute idea! I have a bunch of antique photos that I’ve been meaning to frame, and this would be such a charming way to display them. I’m not a fan of matting, but old photos can be so oddly shaped that it is impossible to find frames that fit them, so this is a really sweet alternative that looks way better and is more acid-free for old photos than most mattes, anyway.
I’d love to see all of them mounted on your wall! -
Jean says:
is that your handwriting?! you have old-timey handwriting! you are too awesome.
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Kelley Anne says:
What a great idea. It really adds something special.
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Mel says:
That’s genius and so simple! I love your idea! I think I’ll try that later
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Tina C. says:
What a great idea to add a little pop of color. I adore your handwriting, so pretty!
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hena tayeb says:
the frames look fabulous.. your beige wall is going to be anything but a problem.
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Quincy says:
I need to do this!!! I have so many frames and so many neat vintage photos! Thanks!!!
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reilly says:
This is a great idea!! I love that wheat design.
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Rosie says:
Those are so pretty!!!
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jolene says:
October 21st, 2009 at 12:15 am
nice work! and you said you were not good at Scrapbooking.
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Some of my Holiday Ideas « Pieces of Earth says:
[...] over at Casey’s Elegant Musings she posted a extremely wonderful idea using picture frames. Basically cut out scrapbook paper to back a photo frame, past on a smaller picture (photo [...]
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Eunice says:
October 21st, 2009 at 12:27 pm
I love this idea. I have a big wall the I used as a photo gallery and think this idea will be a nice update. Since it combines my two loves photography and scrapbooking. Thanks!
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Jenny says:
I always find great inspiration here…thank you! The frames looks great and I just showed this blog post for my husband, since we are doing a picture wall ourselfs.
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sixten says:
It really turned out beautiful! I think I might steal your ideas for my own home
And I would love to see more of your budget-friendly decorating ideas in the blog!
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Theresa says:
Hey, it’s too funny but I am JUST doing the same with a big white wall in my appartment. I’ve found a lot of old frames at my parent’s house and now I am collecting 1950′s or so magazine pictures, I’ll put in there!
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jen says:
really, very clever! i’m going to have to snag this idea for my wedding photos.
i love your scrapbook papers – so pretty! -
beeks says:
November 13th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
I love this idea! I’ve been brainstorming lately on how I can add some colour to my eggshell-coloured apartment walls, and I think this might just be the way to do it! Thanks for sharing this.
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Morning by Foley says:
December 18th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
[...] Un très beau cadre pour photos anciennes chez Casey (dont je vous recommande le site! C’est mon coup de coeur du moment) [...]
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Ranjani says:
This such a classy idea! I love old photographs and have kept several of my mother and grandmother from when they were younger. This would be an excellent way to cherish them. Thanks for the inspiration!
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Lindsey says:
I love this! I have so many vintage pictures of my family and hate to put them in little frames so this is a great idea!
Thank you ever so much for taking time to share your comment! Although I try to answer questions, I am not always able to respond to each comment individually. But please know that I appreciate from the bottom of my heart every comment I receive!