Change The Mat Of A Photo Frame Instantly With Wide Ribbon

This is a great DIY project to do when the snow is piled high outside.  

In Pennsylvania we were snowed in yesterday so I got busy re matting some photo frames I have.   Here is what I made:

Using craft supplies I have in the house, I re-covered a plain white frame mat using wide burlap ribbon, another using gift wrap paper, and the last one, I used moss (the glass to that frame broke and had been sitting in my closet for a long time)!  These are quick projects that will give your photos pizazz! 

Make This Ribbon Covered Frame Mat

Time to roll out the ribbon (he he he!)

An ordinary white mat becomes a zig zag sensation when you cover it with this fun chevron burlap ribbon!  

Don't have this ribbon?  NO PROBLEM! Substitute the ribbon in the instructions below with any fabric or beautiful paper!

See how to make this below:

Supplies you will need:

1. 5x7 frame

2. Mat used in a 5x7 frame to hold a 4x6 photo

3. Wide burlap ribbon (I bought this ribbon at Hobby Lobby)

*You can substitute another fabric, or scrapbook paper too!

4. All purpose adhesive spray (I love Scotch Super 77)

5. Scissors

Choose a ribbon that is as wide as your mat or wider like photo above.  

*You can use a different material instead of this burlap ribbon, like a piece of fabric, or patterned paper.  The adhesive spray I listed above will work with most materials!

STEP 1

-Cut excess fabric so it is easier to work with.

STEP 2

-With the mat front side up, spray the adhesive onto it 

*adhesive gets very tacky fast so spray it on a surface that you can easily clean up.

STEP 3

-Place the sprayed side onto the fabric and press down using your fingers.

 STEP 4

-Your mat should be stuck to the fabric like this photo below.

STEP 5

-Using your scissors, cut a hole in the center of the fabric and then cut corner to corner, creating an 'X'. 

STEP 6

-Pull back each triangle and cut off the excess fabric that reaches past the mat.  

STEP 7

-Spray the pieces to the mat with the all purpose adhesive glue.  Press down to make sure they stick.

STEP 8

- Cut off the excess fabric around the mat.  Don't worry if the fabric has frayed edges because you won't see them! 

Here is what the mat looks like.  Now pop it back in the frame!

Add your photo and ta da!!!!! So cute!

This is a photo of my Dad in 1964 competing at the Olympic Tryouts (he is a weight lifter).

Here are the two other DIY frame mats I worked on today!  Want to get instructions on how easy it was to do these also?  

CLICK HERE to see how to make the Moss Mat Frame

CLICK HERE to see how to make the Wrapping Paper Mat

Spare Room Ideas Discussed On News Tomorrow

Do you have a spare room in your home that has no purpose?  

Tune in tomorrow to WFMZ 69 News at Sunrise at 8:40 am to get some inspiration on how to make that room useful!  Here are just a few of the ideas we will discuss!

An Exercise Room

By Masterpiece Design Group

A Ladies Lounge

By d2 Interieurs

A Teen Hangout

By Interior Concepts, Inc.

Craft Room

By Meritage Homes

Good Housekeeping Pinecone DIY Crafts Includes LYR

Thank you Good Housekeeping for finding and including our DIY Pine Cone Tassels with your five other pine cone crafts featured on your website!  I love working with pine cones because you can get really creative with them and they last a long time!  It's a great way to bring nature into your home.   There are fun crafts listed HERE so check it out!

For the full DIY Pine Cone Tassel Tutorial, click HERE.

My Own Wall Photo Gallery

Recently I added frames to my upstairs hallway.  I haven't filled all the frames yet but it has been over a year of thinking about doing this, so I decided to just 'go for it'!  Here is how I did it:

STEP 1 - 

Find a large clean floor area and design a layout using your frames.

(take note-I switched the jute frames you see above for turquoise ones that you will see in steps 3 and 4)

STEP 2 - 

Make paper templates of your frames and place them on the wall to resemble your frame layout.

STEP 3 - 

Hang your frames

I find that I procrastinate on printing out photos and have a ton on my computer.  I made the decision to hang my frames on the wall in the direction that looked best and fill them later because I have many photos to choose from.  If you are a procrastinator like me, just go for hanging your frames like I did.  Or you will never end up with photos on your walls.

I also changed out some of the original frame mats that came with the frames I used.  If you love a frame but not the mat, no problem!  Just go to a craft store and find a different mat. (Make sure you have the frame with you when choosing a new mat-mats come in different looks and sizes, AND cut out sizes for the photos (ie the same size mat may hold a 4x6 or 5x7).

Coolest Mirror Installation Ever

 Today was a great day!  Install day typically is.  This is the day all my design vision comes to life.  There were lots of deliveries and Bill my art installer teamed up with me to hang art, frames and mirrors on the walls.  Check out how it came out:

BEFORE

The design idea for this wall, that is 20' high, is to create a dramatic reflective focal point using a series of mirrors.   

TEMPLATES GO UP

I created paper templates made of construction paper.  This took some time to do but totally worth it because I was able to have my poor art installer up on his ladder moving the templates around until I had them where I wanted them.

AFTER

I love the way this came out!  The mirrors used are thirty inch large frameless bamboo ones as well as twelve inch bronze framed ones.  If you attempt to do something similar using heavy decor, make sure each is secured to the wall well.

We Also Did This...

BEFORE

AFTER

Stay tuned for the photos I will post containing the AFTER photos of this home!

Recover An Old Photo Frame In One Hour

How many picture frames do you own 

that are the right size but not the right look?

Don't throw them away before reading this DIY idea!!

I have several.  This past weekend I hit the craft store and purchased a spool of 100% jute fringe and recovered one.

I loved how it turned out and could not wait to share it with you!

TA DA..........

Here's How To Do This Project

For this project you will need the following:

- a frame

- fringe (buy at your local craft or fabric store)

- heavy duty scissors

- hot glue gun

 STEP 1 - Cut the corner of your fringe on an angle like shown.

STEP 2 - Measure the length of fringe you need to the other corner and cut it on an angle the opposite way.

STEP 3 - Hot glue the inner side of the fringe....

....and press it to the frame.

STEP 4 - When you have finished hot gluing the fringe all around the frame the corners will look like this.  Let's clean them up!

STEP 5 - Cut a half inches of fringe like shown.  Then cut THREE more.

Each will look like this.

STEP 6 - hot glue one to each corner of your frame (to hide all uneven corners).

Your frame will look like this:

Any fringe will work so get creative!  I love how it looks with a mat (this is a photo of my parents, two young love birds)

Hung on a wall with frames of other finishes creates a unique and lovely statement.

Try it in your own home!

HOT Hardware Gives Old Furniture NEW Life

This is just a reminder of a quick and inexpensive way to remake a piece of furniture you already own!  

New Knobs and Pulls Make A HUGE Difference!

What a transformation!  

For my fab client Sonya's entry way we kept her foyer table but ditched the generic silver knob for a pull that rocks!

This leather, brass and bone pull is from Anthropologie....and it rocks!!!

We simply unscrewed the knobs, and then screwed the new ones on!  EASY!

If you are interested in trying this, it is important to remember the difference between knobs and pulls.  Knobs are easy to change out because they typically have one fastener, or screw.

If you are looking to replace a pull, you will need to measure the distance between the two fasteners, or screws.  Handles come in varying widths so make note of this tip!!

I apologize for the poor quality of the photos but I have not finished the room yet.  When I do I will have quality pictures to share!   

Video of How To Create Beautiful Table Look For Thanksgiving

Watch Shosh show TV viewers of 69 News At Sunrise how to create a unique and easy Thanksgiving Day Table look with lots of color, texture and shine!

CLICK HERE to see the short TV segment!

Yes, you can even upgrade your wine glasses by adding simple twine to the stems!   

To get complete instructions on all the crafts Shosh discussed on the show, CLICK HERE.