Give a Custom Framed Collage!

Project three is a Custom Framed Collage, a birthday gift created with love on a shoe-string budget (think Grandma) with minimal supplies, most of which were discount, laying around the house or second-hand. The only thing better than the feeling of giving a gift like this is the joy you'll have the first time you see the finished product!

Here's what you'll need:

• Frame of your choosing (Wedgwood blue 8x10 wood shown)
• Scissors
• Heavy Duty Embellishment Glue Stick
• Multi-Purpose Cement Glue
• 1 piece of Scrapbook paper (background)
• Personal Photos
• Cut-out magazine word (message)
• Ribbon
• Embellishments (fabric flower, beads, old jewelry pieces)

Be sure to choose colors that provide contrast but do not compete with one another.

Before beginning, decide on a basic layout.

You can always revise it as you go!

Cut your background paper to fit the frame.

Use the heavy duty glue stick as the adhesive for the center of the paper,

which will be affixed to the inside of the cardboard frame backing.







Reinforce the edges of the paper with the multi-purpose glue.






Affix the paper to the cardboard carefully,

pressing down on the edges to secure.






Place the multi-purpose glue on the back corners of the photo.

Press down on each corner of the photo to secure.

Cut ribbon pieces with which to frame the photo.

Place multi-purpose glue on each end of the

ribbon pieces and press down to affix.

Place the ribbon carefully before pressing down to

ensure it is straight. The glue dries clear and fast!

Follow suit with each ribbon piece until your photo

is framed, as shown below.

Once the first photo is complete, if adding another photo,

repeat the process before proceeding to words and embellishments.

Choose and cut custom backing pieces for your words.

The backing should provide contrast as well as

complement the overall piece.

For our word backing, we used the sheer, center piece of the

ribbon used for the photo frames. Remember, save everything!

For your message, lay out your backing, words and embellishments.

Individually, press the heavy duty glue stick into your backing

and press in place on the background page.

Then, coat the back of the word with glue and

press down on top of the backing material.

Next, add any embellishment you would like to your message.

We have simply adorned each word with one rhinestone sequin.

Finally, add any other embellishments you would like.

We have chosen a piece that was formerly a chandelier-style earring.

It adds sparkle, complements our background

and provides a center point for our collage.

Above is our completed collage page.

Now, onto the frame!

We chose a pearl runner to edge the frame.

Run multi-purpose glue along the edge of the frame.

Affix pearl ribbon to the frame and hold down

for a few moments to allow drying time.

Repeat on each side of the frame, or as you like.

View our completed edging above.

Next, we chose an embellishment to

cover a blemish in our second-hand frame.

We found a black mesh rose, in which we sewed beads

into the center of to add that extra touch.

Then, we affix the rose to the frame with multi-purpose glue.

Press down firmly on the adornment

and hold for a few moments to insure

that it adheres correctly.

Here is our completed custom framed collage.

Next, we wrap our frame to provide proper presentation.

We wrapped our gift in silver satin fabric with a

black rose mesh ribbon adornment.

In the center of the the ribbon, we placed a
piece of the pearl ribbon and blue costume

jewelry piece.











Here's the breakdown of what we spent on this project:

• Recycled Frame - Free (Cost to purchase .25 to $2)
• Photos - Free (what we had on hand)
• Scrapbook paper page - .60 at Hobby Lobby (clearance)
• Blue ribbon (framing & backing) - .10 (approx. 1/2 yard of 6 yards @ 1.19/roll)
• Pearl ribbon (frame edging) - .10 (3 ft. of a 24ft roll @.71/roll)
• Adornment - Free (Cost of earring at yard sale, second hand or dollar store- $1 or less)
• Beads & Sequins - Free (Cost approx. $1 or less)
• Black Rose Trim - .33 (Purchased in a $5 bag of random trim pieces from Hobby Lobby)
• Satin Fabric for wrapping - $1.98 (Hobby Lobby fabric clearance)

Total cost of our project: $1.13

Total including wrapping: $3.11

We made this project for Shannon's grandmother as a birthday gift, but it can be

customized for any occasion. One of the best things about it is the ease of

finding supplies, as well as the obvious cost-effective aspect. Now put on your

creative cap and ....

...go ahead, collage away!