Do-it-yourself Frame up

CEBU, Philippines - Some of the best memories family members share are those of holidays spent traveling – a trip to the beach, a historic local destination, or a favorite amusement park. In planning your adventure this month, include the creation of a unique memento that will also be a remarkable conversation piece.

You will need a regular photo frame (can be made of wood, plastic, metal or even glass), glue gun or craft glue and objects you will use to decorate the frame with. Collect as many small items as you can that would represent every step of your journey: a bus ticket, an airline boarding pass, tickets to a park attraction or even candy wrappers!

Go for items that symbolize your special destination.

Choose a photo

When you get home, pick everyone’s favorite group photo taken during the trip and have it printed or blown up to the size that would fit your frame.

Decide how you will decorate your frame

If most of your “souvenirs” are flat (like leaves or pieces of paper), you may glue them on to the frame and apply a generous coating of varnish or lacquer to create a decoupage. If you have large and chunky trip souvenirs like bottle caps, twigs and rocks or beads, then organize them into a 3D collage.

Decoupage it!

1. Start out by making sure the picture frame is clean and dry. If you are going to paint a background color before you apply the decoupage, make sure the point is totally dry before you begin.

2. Prepare the flat items you are going to use and arrange them on the frame before you add glue. The trip souvenirs can be in any placement you like and can also overlap.

3. Working on a small section at a time, remove the trip souvenir and apply a generous layer of decoupage medium onto the photo frame you are decoupaging. Make sure you completely cover any area the item will touch. If you prefer, you can spread the decoupage medium onto the back of the item.

4. Stick the souvenir on the frame. Use your finger to gently push down the item you just attached and push out any wrinkles and excess decoupage medium. You can also use a popsicle stick or a spoon to do this.

5. Continue with the last two steps until your items are glued on. Let the decoupage medium dry completely.

6. Once dry, coat your frame with another layer of decoupage medium. Let this dry.

7. Now, you can continue to add coats of the decoupage medium until you get the desired results. You will, however, want to keep adding coats until the edges of the items are all smooth.

8. Let your decoupage photo frame dry completely and then it is ready to use. Insert the family picture you took and display it proudly in your living room!

Create a 3D Collage!

Assembling a collage is similar to decoupage except you do not coat it several times with lacquer or varnish. The different textures and the uneven surface of the collage are what make it an appealing work of art.

Chunky objects like bottle caps, a keychain, beads and other colorful items that you have collected during the family holiday will have to be attached using a powerful adhesive or a glue gun. But while you are still trying to figure out their final arrangement, use masking tape of double-edge tape on the back of the item.

Make sure you distribute the items properly so the weight will be heavier at the bottom part of the frame. This will ensure that it will not topple over should you decide to display it on a table top or a counter.

Source: 2011 Family Calendar of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (FREEMAN)