Make this picture frame from a piece of thick, flexible, clear plastic (acetate). It’s available at craft stores, fabric stores, and hardware stores. This is a great project for elementary school children who want to frame their school picture! It’s also great for a Mother’s Day or Father’s Day gift, or as a Christmas tree ornament.
- Thick, flexible, clear plastic
- A photo to frame
- A hole punch
- Yarn, twine, or other thick thread
- Scissors
- Glue
- Optional – Stickers
- Optional – Thick needle
Instructions
Choose a photo to frame. Write info about the photo on its back (like the date, people in the photo, the location, the occasion, etc). You’ll be able to read this after the frame is done.
Choose a shape for your frame. Cut two pieces of plastic; one for the front and one for the back of the frame. Make sure the plastic is about 1 inch larger than the photo on all sides.
All sorts of shapes look good! To cut an oval or heart shape, draw half the shape on a folded piece of paper, then cut it. Then use this template for cutting the plastic.
Put the two pieces of plastic together (without the photograph). Using a hole punch, make a series of holes all around the edge of the frame.
Place the photo on one piece of plastic and position it where it will look best. You may need to trim the photo. A dab of glue on the back of the photo will keep it in place.
Decorate with stickers or labels.
Put the second piece of plastic on top of the first, matching the holes exactly.
Using yarn, twine, embroidery floss, or other thick thread, “sew” up the edges of the frame. Older children can use an upholstery needle. For younger ones, a bit of nail polish put on the end of the string (let it dry first) will act like a needle.
Attach a short loop of yarn for hanging the frame.
