SHE's Crafty: Photo Frame

I really love the idea of this week's DIY project. It's a way to display many of your photos at the same time! It's also great for your event and then to use at home when you're finished! This week's DIY project is this great homemade frame with clothespins.

MATERIALS NEEDED:

1. Hook Screws
2. Twine
3. Measuring Tape
4. Pencil
5. Scissors
6. Clothes pins
7. Frame- You can either buy a frame somewhere that doesn't have glass, or you can make one. If you'd like to make the frame yourself the materials you'll need are:

• 4 Pieces of Wood

• 4 Screws

• Pencil

• Measuring Tape

• Circular Saw

• Power Drill

(A husband or friend that is good with a circular saw is definitely a bonus for this project as well!)

DIRECTIONS:

FOR THE FRAME:

1. Decide how big you want the overall frame to be. Measure and mark two pieces of wood with the same size, and do the same with the other two.
2. Use the circular saw with a miter box to cut 45° angles in the wood pieces in a way that they will fit together to form the frame.
3. Put two corners together and use a 1/16” drill bit to drill a guide hole through both pieces of wood. Then screw in one screw to hold the pieces together.
4. Repeat step 3 until all corners are connected.

AFTER THE FRAME IS BUILT, OR IF YOU BOUGHT A FRAME:

1. Decide how many rows of photos you'd like to put on your frame. Use the measuring tape to measure evenly where the screws will hold the rows of twine.

2. Screw in the hook screws evenly.

3. Take twine and cut strips long enough to go across the frame. Slip one side of the twine through a hook on the left side of the frame and tie tightly. Then pull tight across the frame and tie the other side of the twine to the hook screw on the right side. Once both sides are tied, you can turn the hook screws in to tighten the twine if necessary.

4. Repeat step 3 until all rows of twine are installed.

5. Gather your favorite photos and hang them from the frame with the clothespins to display at your event!

I actually took pictures while doing measurements and placing the hook screws, but didn't have my memory card in my camera at the time, so I only have finished pictures. Hopefully the instructions were easy enough to follow without photos.

I loved the finished product of my photo frame and can't wait to use it at my best friend's engagement party coming up in a couple of weeks. It will be great to display in my house after the fact, too. It's nice to have these projects that can be used once your wedding is over, too. Enjoy! Let me know if you have any questions at erin@stellaharperevents.com.

SHE's Crafty: Cornucopia

The Latin meaning for cornucopia is  the "horn of plenty" and is most often seen around Thanksgiving time. Greek mythology tells the story of the cornucopia; it was a magical goat's horn and whenever the owner requested food and drink the horn filled itself with whatever was asked. It's a great decoration for the fall festivities and would also be a unique decoration for a place card table at a wedding. This symbol of abundance and nourishment can be filled with gourds and pumpkins like mine or pears and nuts, whatever you would like.

To create the cornucopia you need burlap, a wicker cornucopia, hemp or twine, and raffia. You can find all these materials as a craft store (at least during Thanksgiving time). 

Take the burlap and wrap the cornucopia in it. It doesn't have to be perfect or look awesome because the whole outside will be covered. So if you try to make anything look good make the inside look good. Use a hot glue gun to glue the burlap to the cornucopia - just be careful because it's super easy to burn yourself (burlap has holes- ouch!!). 

Next take the hemp and tie a knot at the end of the raffia and wrap it around and tie the hemp in another knot at the end of the raffia. Wrap the hemp/raffia that you created around the cornucopia, use a hot glue gun to keep it in place. Continue this process until the whole cornucopia is wrapped with raffia.

Now it' time to fill it up!  Add whatever goodies you'd like to your new cornucopia!


See you next week for another holiday blog!
~ Melissa