Clip Frames DIY

      The wedding preparations are in high gear now!  I was at Michael's to purchase some card stock and $80 later I came home with more projects to make.  One of these projects is to make some frames to hold engagement pictures on the sign-in table at the reception.  These cute new trendy clip frames seemed just the thing, but they were so expensive!  Well, you know me, I am a cheapskate and I knew that I could make what I wanted, in the right colors, by myself.  Here are some of the supplies I found.  Some of them were 70% off!

These wooden plaques were about 6 or 7 dollars.

This one, too.

This jar of little wooden clips was marked down 70%!

Here is how they look. Cute! And you could write something on the inside label!

But, I also adored these metal clips.

I might make some of those frames with a little clothes line for hanging pictures so these would come in handy. They were also 70% off.

      As you know from my tutorial to make a ponderize frame, I love the crackle finish.  My daughter's wedding colors are turquoise and chocolate brown.  I decided to do opposite colors on the two frames.  So, first I base coated them.   

   After the paint dries, then spread on the crackle finish. 

This is the product I used.

It will look shiny.

Let it dry, it takes longer than the paint did, so do something else for a while.

      When the  crackle coat is dry, spread the top coat of paint on evenly without going back, or it will goop up and smear.  Just do even strokes all over it with your top color.

  As you can see, I decided to use different clips on each frame.  Don't try to glue gun the clips on, they will pop off too easily after consistent use.  I used E-6000 which will hold much better.  It takes it a little longer to dry, but the result is worth it. Because I want to put these on the table by the guest book,  I have some little cute hinges that I can use to make a stand on the back, but for now I am using an easel to show you how they look.  This is so easy to do and much less expensive than the $30 to $40 they were charging in the store! I used crackle finish, paint and glue that I already had, so the cost for me was about $7.00 per frame. The plaques were the most expensive parts.  You may be able to find them for less somewhere, I haven't checked because I am in a hurry to get ready for the wedding.  Or, buy wood and make your own.
      The nice thing is that you can change the pictures out whenever you want! I hope you give these a try.  Now more pictures! (My grandchildren and daughter's wedding announcement are included.)