I wanted to display some favorite pictures in our master bedroom, but did not want to spend $20 a pop on gallery frames with mats. I checked on buying mats separately, or even cutting my own from mat board, but I wanted to keep it very simple and very inexpensive. here’s what I did:
1. buy 11X14 frames from the Dollar Tree. I just ordered a pack of 10 online and then picked them up in the store.
2. find the least dented part of a piece of white posterboard and trace around the glass, then cut it out. I took a mat with a 4X6 cutout from another picture I had and traced the 4X6 opening in the center.
4. then use a metal ruler and an exacto knife for the longer edges. Use cardboard underneath so you don’t slash anything up!
6. Love that you spent around $10 framing some of your favorite memories. :)
(still trying to figure what to do with that alarm clock)
breakdown:
poster board from Kroger~I used 4 because mine were pretty dented up. $2.76
4X6 pictures (5, then I framed a favorite note from him) $1.45
Total: $10.56
I love your display! I can't believe I never checked dollar tree for frames! This is perfect. I can't spend a ton on frames either and they're expensive everywhere, even at our thrift store. I assume since you ordered yours online that they don't have them in store?
ReplyDeleteYay, Cassie! Send us some pics :)
ReplyDeleteLove! Too bad they went out of stock before I saw this :(
ReplyDeleteLove it! And you know we're all dying to hear what the note says!
ReplyDeleteSimple, elegant and easy to do! Great post Lauren. Here are some great tips on how to make decorate a fabulous home. Enjoy!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.eieihome.com/blog/eight-fabulous-home-decor-ideas.html
Hi Melissa,
ReplyDeleteAmazing idea! I sell paintings, and the last time I needed mats I paid for one what you paid for your gallery wall!
Never again, after reading this post! I have bookmarked your site!
Val @ artsybuildinglady.blogspot.ca
wow this is such a great little project and cost efficient too! Great post!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness I love your dresser area! I'm linking to you today in my post about decrapifying my own Master BR dresser which has been sitting for two years, unpainted & collecting stuff.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.handbagsnpigtails.com/2012/04/decrapify-simplify-beautify.html You've lit a fire under me. Thank you!:)
This looks fantastic! I think I want to recreate this over our bedroom dresser. Thanks for the idea (and the budget saver!)
ReplyDeleteCan't beat that price for such a great look! Great ideas!
ReplyDeleteBTW, the kitty litter inside the musty furniture seems to be working. I'm still going to leave it in for a couple more weeks, but so far it has made a great difference!!
Christina-As Time Goes By
Wow, look at you being all brilliant and thrifty! :) It looks beautiful.
ReplyDeleteyay for the kitty litter trick!
ReplyDeleteI got them at Tuesday Morning.
ReplyDeleteYou're killing me here! That looks so amazing and the price is so right. I didn't even know you could order dollar tree stuff online. Oh my. I'm in trouble now (not really cause it's so inexpensive!).
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT!
thank you, Lauren!
ReplyDeleteOh, I may have to do a post on it. It's the first note he sent me when we were dating and I have to wait until the lilacs bloom to tell it! :)
ReplyDeleteKari, I love your enthusiasm. I heard you here in VA! :) you are the best.
ReplyDeleteHi Kim! I *wish* I could say that they were a diy, but they are from Tuesday Morning. $40 a pop. Happy Birthday to me from my Grandma Reeva :)
ReplyDeleteI found a couple in the store and asked if they had more, and the lady said no, but check online. Jackpot!
ReplyDeleteI have heard horror stories about the precision and patience required with mat cutters, and I know I would not be a good fit with one. Posterboard it was!
ReplyDeleteRichella, you could completely do that. I just liked the look of the picture behind the "mat." If you had a bigger scrapbook cutter, you wouldn't have to use an exacto. Cutting against the metal ruler really helped with the straight line, c'mon you know I am a clutz! I think they would look great floating on top as well. You have to order a pack of 18, but then you have LOTS of frames to do projects with :)
ReplyDeleteI love this! I love to frame notes too...I remember seeing that in an old Nate segment from the Oprah Winfrey show (she framed favorite notes from friends) and I thought it was so simple and so personal. Great job!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! And it looks way more expensive and classy than $10.56!!
ReplyDeleteThis is GENIUS!!! I love it! Pinned!!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful! I love the whole look! I'll have to go check out our Tuesday Morning and see if they happen to have those lamps...they would be perfect for our bedroom!
ReplyDeleteOMG that is amazing! Great idea!
ReplyDeleteI love the way your frames came out. I have a similar looking wall of photos. I wanted to tell you that I love your lamps and lampshades! I love the contrast of the shiny lamps with the texture of the lampshades! I just love the way they look!
ReplyDeleteI just love a cheap project that looks so elegant! Great job! And I'm nosey about the note... :)
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly what I was going to ask! And we have a Tues. Morn. 5 minutes away. I've seen these and now I want them even more! :) Wonderful tutorial! Thanks for sharing! (Found you on Pinterest and now subscribing!) :)
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome!!! What a huge savings. Definitely pinning this for future reference!
ReplyDeleteThat's so great! I didn't even know you could order from Dollar Tree online. I had to pin it!
ReplyDeleteThis turned out great! I am going to try and duplicate. I have been toying with doing a gallery wall in my living room and didn't want to spend an arm & leg on frames. Thanks for sharing this!
ReplyDeletePosterboard! Great idea! Love your blog and taste!
ReplyDelete