Tutorial - Corrugated Board Frame

I do a lot of online shopping so I have a constant supply of cardboard boxes coming into my home. At first I used to just throw them all away until I realised the true value of corrugated board and what a gorgeous backing it made to just about any kind of paper crafting project. Now I hold onto those boxes and cut them up into manageable size pieces to be used on projects as I need. Today I’d like to share a fun way of making your very own photo frame using some corrugated board. This was a tutorial featured in the August issue of Scrapbook News and Review Magazine

Supplies
Corrugated board
Cardstock
Molding paste
Extra thick gel medium
Glass beads
Mist
Flowers

Step One: Depending on what size frame you want you need to cut two pieces of corrugated board the same size. I used an existing frame I had as a template so I cut two 6x8 pieces.

Step Two: Now cut an opening for your photograph in one of the pieces only. I cut a 3.25x5 opening for my photograph.

Step Three: Remove the top layer of paper from the corrugated board. I suggest that you don’t remove all of the paper. Leave some random pieces in place because this adds character to your project once you add the colour.

Step Four: Add some molding paste to two of the corners across from each other. Use your fingers to create texture and patterns in the molding paste. Then add some extra heavy gel medium to the side panels. Embed your glass beads into the gel medium while still wet. Set this aside to dry. Depending on the amount of molding paste you added you may need to leave it to dry overnight.

Step Five: While your pastes are drying you can work on the back panel of your frame. Use an existing frame as a guideline to cut out the frame stand. You need to do your measurements carefully so that your frame will have the right balance. If you cut your stand too low or high your frame may not be able to stand up on it’s own.

Step Six: Add some liquid adhesive to your panel. It is very important that you not add any adhesive to the “stand” part. You may want to push the stand out before adding the adhesive to ensure that you don’t accidentally get any on it.

Step Seven: Cut a piece of cardstock the same size as your frame and stick it to your back panel.

Step Eight: Lift the stand out of your panel and check that it will allow your frame to stand on its own. Here’s a side view of the frame.

Step Nine: Once the molding paste and glass bead embedded gel medium has completely dried, set it on your craft mat and mist with the colours of your choice. I used some Lindy’s Stamp Gang Moon Shadow mist. I’m love these two toned mists. I used Buccaneer Bay Blue and Tawny Turquoise.

Step Ten: Add some flowers to your frame over the molding paste. I used some white flowers which I also misted with the same Moon Shadow mists. I suggest you stick your flowers down with a hot glue gun if you have one.

Step 11: Stick your photograph onto the cardstock surface of your back panel. Again, measure carefully to ensure that your photograph is centred with the opening of your front panel.

Step 12: Now stick your front panel onto the back panel.

Step 13: Stand your frame up pull the stand out. You may need to play around and make adjustments until it’s able to stand completely stable.

These would make a great personalised gift for a friend or family member. Another option would be to not add the front panel to a stand but use it to frame a photograph on a layout instead. Either way, these are great fun to make and a creative method of recycling your postage packages.