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DIY Stacked Wall Frames

January 17, 2012 By Amy @ Positively Splendid

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I absolutely love the look of the stacked colorful frames in funky shapes that have become so popular lately. I have had in mind to find and/or make some frames like these to hang on either side of the framed chalkboard in the nursery, and while perusing Pinterest, I saw a pin that suggested buying wood plaques from Hobby Lobby and Mod Podging photos on to achieve the look of these frames for a fraction of the cost. One problem: by doing it that way, you wouldn’t be able to switch out your photos later on. Very impractical! I loved the idea to use the unfinished plaques, though, so I set to work creating a version that would give me more flexibility in displaying new photos later down the road. This is the project I came up with, and I achieved the look I was going for for a fraction of the cost of buying the pre-made frames!

Here’s how I did it!

For each frame, you will need:
One large unfinished wooden plaque
One 5×7″ unfinished wooden frame 
Acrylic paint
Polyacrylic (optional, but I like the sheen and protection this provides)
Foam brushes
White adhesive vinyl OR painter’s tape and white paint
Rotary cutter and mat
X-Acto Knife
Industrial-strength adhesive-backed Velcro*
One 5×7″ piece of foam board or thick cardboard
Sawtooth hangers

*This is found in at DIY and hardware stores, not in your sewing department

step one /  Paint your plaque and wooden frame in your desired colors using your acrylic paint and foam brush and let dry. Apply a coat of polyacrylic a to each piece and allow to dry completely. 

Project Note: If you want a flawless look for your frames, sand the plaque with fine-grit sandpaper to smooth it out before painting. I wish I had done this with mine!


step two / Cut 1-inch strips of vinyl using your rotary cutter and mat. Arrange your pieces to form vertical stripes on your plaque. I had to get creative with my stripes on my frames, since I only had a small amount of white vinyl on hand and I didn’t want to drag all of my kiddos to the store to buy more. 🙂 At the center of my frame, instead of forming complete stripes, I placed a 3-inch section of vinyl on either side (see below). Since your photo will be covering the center part of your plaque later on, you really don’t have to worry about what this area looks like, and no one will know the stripes don’t extend all the way across your plaque. Now, use your X-acto knife to carefully trim away any vinyl that hangs over the edge of your plaque.

Project Note: Alternatively, if you prefer to paint the stripes instead of using vinyl, you can tape off your stripes with painters tape and paint them with acrylic paint before you coat your plaque with polyacrylic. It is totally up to you!


step three /  Remove the easel back from your 5×7 frame and set it aside to use for a later project. Carefully remove any hardware from the back of the frame, as shown. The goal here is to have a frame that is completely flat on the back. 


step four /  Now, cut two 2.5 x .5-inch strips of Velcro. Pull the loop and hook portions of each section apart. Adhere the loop (softer) portion of your strip to the back of your frame, centered at the top edge, as shown. Place another loop piece at the bottom edge in a similar fashion.



step five /  Place your frame on top of your plaque so that the frame is precisely centered. Use a pencil to lightly mark the center of the top and bottom edges of your frame, and use these marks as guide to place the hook portion of your Velcro on your plaque. You will place the top hook section just below your top mark and your bottom hook section just above your bottom mark, so that each section will be concealed by your frame  when you sandwich your frame and plaque pieces together. The Velcro will hold your top and bottom pieces together securely, but you will still be able to switch out your photos any time you like! Now, place a sawtooth hanger on the back of your plaque for hanging.

 step six /  If your frame came with a glass piece, place that in your frame before inserting your photo. Fit your piece of foam board into the frame snugly behind your photo, and then affix your front frame to the plaque piece using the Velcro strips.


All finished!

I just love how these came together! They are the perfect way to display precious photos of my sweet baby boy!


Thanks so much for stopping by!

Photobucket

Linking this to…
Skip to My Lou
Home Stories A to Z
Serenity Now
Oopsey Daisy
Lil Luna
Creations by Kara
Every Creative Endeavor
Tatertots & Jello
Flamingo Toes

Amy @ Positively Splendid
Amy @ Positively Splendid

Having grown up in a home brimming with sewing notions and paintbrushes, Amy has a deep love for all things creative. On any given day, you’ll find her knee-deep in her latest creative endeavor, with projects ranging from sewing and crafts to home decor and kid-friendly ideas. Amy believes that everyone, regardless of skill level or experience, possesses the ability to create something beautiful, and Positively Splendid was born of her passion for helping others harness their innate creative potential.

EVEN MORE GREAT IDEAS JUST FOR YOU!

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Filed Under: Budget-Friendly Gifts, Craft Gift Ideas, Crafts, DIY, Gift Ideas, Gifts for Moms and Grandmas, Gifts for Women, Home Decor Crafts, Home Decor Crafts, Positively Home & Garden, Tutorials Tagged With: Baby, Nursery, Nursery Decor, Wall Decor

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Brooke says

    January 17, 2012 at 6:23 pm

    So cute!! Pinning this!
    http://www.inside-outdesign.blogspot.com

  2. Amy {All In A Day} says

    January 17, 2012 at 6:39 pm

    Amy, I love, love, love this!!! So cute & creative! I’m almost positive I have one of those plaques in my stash. I might have to make one of these now! Thanks for sharing! xoxo

  3. Kelli @ RTSM says

    January 17, 2012 at 6:45 pm

    Very cute! I love that you did the stripes with vinyl so you can change it up easily if you ever want to:)

  4. Amanda @ Serenity Now says

    January 17, 2012 at 6:46 pm

    Aren’t you a smarty pants with the velcro?? Great idea. I love the color and the stripes. Fantastic project–Pinning it now. 🙂

  5. Kara says

    January 17, 2012 at 7:23 pm

    Oh Amy, I just love this!! The idea of using velcro is simply genius! And oh my gosh what a cutie he is!

  6. littleprairiegirl says

    January 17, 2012 at 7:30 pm

    I love the versatility of these photo plaques. I also love the blue color you used…great job! Now I just need to find an empty wall…lol!

    Hugs,

    Natalie

  7. Ruby Jean says

    January 17, 2012 at 7:46 pm

    All this BABY stuff you have been doing Lately is Seriously making me want to have another Baby… 🙂 Our youngest will be turning 2 soon and I am missing that BABY BABY stage… 🙂
    OH!!! Love your project!!!

    http://shoprubyjean.com/2012/01/sew-crafty-tuesday-6-and-giveaway/

  8. Grammy Goodwill says

    January 17, 2012 at 7:55 pm

    This has so many levels of great-ness, first of all the cutie pie in the picture! I love that you used vinyl and can change it. Also, the velcro. You did such a wonderful job. I also love that color.

  9. Michele {The Scrap Shoppe} says

    January 17, 2012 at 8:24 pm

    Gorgeous, Amy!! And ingenious pairing of the two. I’m having a serious “why didn’t I think of that?” moment. 🙂

  10. Penni says

    January 17, 2012 at 8:35 pm

    What a great idea. I love how many different colors you can incorporate in this. Thank you for sharing such a fun project.

    Penni-afewofmyfavoritethings-penni.blogspot.com

  11. Baker_ia says

    January 17, 2012 at 9:28 pm

    What a Cute idea thanks for sharing

  12. tomiannie says

    January 17, 2012 at 10:58 pm

    This is fantastic! The velcro is particularly brilliant. Thank you!

  13. Hip Chic Tot says

    January 17, 2012 at 11:13 pm

    Love it!

  14. Natalie Dixon says

    January 18, 2012 at 4:00 am

    Absolutely love it! I’ve seen those pins as well and this is so much better! Not only because you can switch out the pictures but I just love the chunkiness of it! Sharing this on my FB page! https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Turtles-Life-for-Me/212508615444255

  15. Johnnie says

    January 18, 2012 at 2:59 pm

    This looks beautiful! Thanks for the how-to.

    Printable Decor
    Saved By Love Creations

  16. Sarah McDonald says

    January 18, 2012 at 6:05 pm

    note self – go upstairs and put together some of these frames, with the plaques you have lying around from a preivous craft idea. Thanks for posting. will be pinning

  17. Alison @ Oopsey Daisy says

    January 18, 2012 at 11:27 pm

    Wow!! Amy this is amazing!! I love that the frames are put together with velcro and are easy to switch out!

  18. Laura at Ms. Smartie Pants says

    January 19, 2012 at 1:28 am

    Adorable and so is the frame! (smile) And once again, our minds are on the same track, posting the frames we made for our babies room in a couple of days! Will you show the whole room when you are finished with all your projects?

  19. Lindsay says

    January 19, 2012 at 1:31 am

    Gorgeous! I love this! I am following you now! Can’t wait to see more!

  20. Lil Mama Stuart says

    January 19, 2012 at 3:14 am

    Great idea! I didn’t get why you needed the velcro, but now it makes sense, to change the picture!

  21. Simply AJ says

    January 19, 2012 at 5:29 am

    Amy… can you say WOW! Seriously, this frame is so crazy awesome!! I love everything about it and your little one just topped it off… Adorable!! Dang, you are so talented. Thanks for sharing 🙂 [email protected]

  22. Amanda says

    January 20, 2012 at 1:35 pm

    Love it! Pinning it now. The possibilities are endless with this project! Found you thru Serenity Now.
    Amanda

  23. [email protected] says

    January 20, 2012 at 2:00 pm

    Hi, I’m visiting from Amanda’s link party. I love this project! I had no idea you could buy wooden plaques like those. Beautiful job, take care!

  24. ThreeOldKeys says

    January 20, 2012 at 10:51 pm

    you are a genius … i have a 4×5 frame and needlework pieces that i have popped in and out for years. it will look great with a backing … i usually just display it on an easel.

    i will definitely try this, thank you !!!!!

    threeoldkeys

  25. DavesWife says

    January 21, 2012 at 1:32 am

    I still can’t get over all the details of this darling Nursery! It is truly amazing. And I am seriously LOVING this stripey frame! I will be making one soon! ♥

  26. Caroline @ Rugrats + Royalty says

    January 21, 2012 at 2:16 am

    Stopping by from TT&J!!! Gorgeous idea…caught my eye right away!

  27. Jennifer @ Delightfully Noted says

    January 21, 2012 at 2:53 am

    Gasp! I am so in LOVE with this frame. Great job:)

  28. Amy says

    January 21, 2012 at 3:55 pm

    oh, I love love love this! Looks fabulous! Such a cute photo too! I’d be thrilled if you’d share here:

    http://oneartmama.blogspot.com/2012/01/shine-on-fridays-11-and-giveaway.html

  29. Katie Carter says

    January 21, 2012 at 5:38 pm

    I love it! This idea is so cute! I would love for you to link up at Handmade 52! http://raisingoranges.blogspot.com/2012/01/handmade-52-3.html

  30. Desiree @ The 36th AVENUE says

    January 22, 2012 at 5:02 am

    Amy, this idea is BRILLIANT! I am featuring it tomorrow during my Sunday Best.

  31. Jenn says

    January 25, 2012 at 3:43 am

    I love this and will be doing it. I’d love for you to come share it at our linky party!
    http://housewivesofriverton.blogspot.com/2012/01/one-year-blogaversary-and-new-linky.html

  32. Drea says

    January 27, 2012 at 8:19 am

    This is sub a cute idea!

  33. Amanda N says

    March 3, 2012 at 4:43 pm

    Will u share where you found your plaque?

  34. Amanda N says

    March 3, 2012 at 4:44 pm

    Will u share where you found your plaque?

  35. Beth Fairbanks says

    July 28, 2012 at 6:17 pm

    I loved how you did your plaques. I have 2 question where do you get the vinyl and velcro and I was wondering when you painted the frame it looked like the paint and roller was one piece. where can you obtain it. Thank you

  36. Megan says

    December 20, 2012 at 2:03 pm

    This is so beautiful!

    • Amy @ Positively Splendid says

      December 21, 2012 at 3:29 pm

      Thank you so much, Megan!

  37. gale says

    July 9, 2013 at 9:23 pm

    nice frame and something I would love to try but the pinterest pop-up on your blog sucks. It took me several refreshes and finally I had to click on the pin again to close it. It sure doesn’t make me want to keep visiting and trying to deal with the pop up again or to follow on pinterest.

    • Amy @ Positively Splendid says

      July 11, 2013 at 1:58 pm

      Hi, Gale!
      I appreciate that your time is valuable, and I am sorry you don’t appreciate the pop-up. Something imperative to remember, however, is how much time I invest in each and every project, and that I offer each one at absolutely no cost to my readers. As a blogger striving to grow my following, I use tools that help me do so (including the advertisement in question) to make it possible for me to continue to offer project tutorials, almost all of which require 6+ hours to create, photograph, and write, for absolutely free.

      Thanks for stopping in, and I do hope you’ll pop by again soon.

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