Old frames = Perfect for children's artwork
So, all around the interwebs, I see moms doing fabulous things with their children's artwork...magnetic strips on the wall, a row of clips on a rope or a backing board, frames that allow paper to be slid in and out easily, magnetic frames that go on the fridge, and so on.
I always feel inspired when I see stuff like that because it makes kid-art look really great.
When I was decluttering the other day, I came across a few frames that had seen better days, so I decide to use them for my kids.
One frame originally had a peeling silver finish. I tried spray painting it with silver paint, but it just looked dumb, so then I sprayed it with white paint, and it was a little better.
Unfortunately, then someone stepped on the frame (maybe it was me? I don't remember!), and the glass broke. So, it had been in my, "I don't know what to do with this." pile for a while.
Fortunately, this time around I realized the frame would be perfect for a kid-art application. So with Zoe's permission, I used my paper cutter to trim her painting down to the appropriate size, and inserted it into the frame.
There's no glass in the frame and it's not in perfect condition, but Zoe's painting looks so much better now, and she can actually display it this way.
Also, since there's no glass, there's really nothing about the frame that's breakable (a lovely asset in a child's room).
I also found a larger Goodwill frame which I've had for a while. It used to be sort of an off-white shade, but I'd painted it bright white.
And then I never did anything with it for some reason.
So, I brushed the dust bunnies off, helped Lisey trim down one of her paintings, and framed it up for her.
She was so pleased with how her painting looked in the frame. A frame makes everything look just a little more official and professional, doesn't it?
The unframed butterflies above the framed picture don't look nearly as polished as the framed one...I wonder if I can scrounge up some frames for those too. Maybe if I cut them apart, they'd fit into square frames.
Hmm.
Anyway, if you've got some old frames around your house (most people seem to!), consider using them to display your kids' art. Spruce them up with a little spray paint if they're in bad shape, and put them to use.
If you're so low-clutter that you don't have frames collecting dust bunnies under your bed (ahem), you can always poke around your local thrift store. Thrift stores are generally blessed with an abundance of ugly frames that can be transformed with spray paint.
P.S. Use decent spray paint, because the cheap stuff is hard to spray and it doesn't cover well. Also, patiently apply several thin coats instead of one gloppy, thick coat.
I love this post. One thing I love about it is that you admit that you tried to do a frugal project, "but it just looked dumb." And then it ended up in a pile of stuff you didn't know what to do with. I am currently on a get-rid-of-stuff kick and I keep coming across similar piles in my house. Nice to know I am not the only one!
I love this! The school I work for had an art gallery at the end of the last school year. Each child in the school had a piece of their art from the year framed and hung. Many of the people who attended said they wished they could buy some of the art because it looked so good! After it was over, everyone got to take home their art. The kids were so excited to see their artwork in a fancy frame and hung up in a gallery!
The art looks great! Unfortunately we don't have any frames collecting dust bunnies under our bed so I have been scouring our op shops (thrift stores) lately looking for some because our walls are so bare. A lot of them are not in good condition, but I never thought of spray-painting them. I picked up a few cheap ones at Ikea today that will fit the posters we have stuck on the walls, so hopefully they will spruce things up a bit 🙂
Beautiful!
Just a thought, when looking for frames, don't forget to think of framed ugly pictures. Pop the picture/painting out, spray paint and wa-la!
Going to see Grandkids for 10 days in Texas...gonna miss ya, Frugal Girl! Enjoy the last of summer vacation.
Funny that I was just thinking the other day what to do with some artwork downstairs and some old frames! I don't know why the two didn't click together! LOL So, thanks for the idea -- I am going to give this a try!
I absolutely love the art work and the frames...perfect! Kudos!
The art looks great. But don't forget to write when and by who the picture was greated on the backside.
After years it is nice to see how old the pictures are.
Great job! I think framing children's artwork allows the child to see that you value their work. And just even saving some of their works has the same effect, whether framed or not.
My own mother saved some of mine. When my parents passed away I found this box of my childhood art. It really touched me that she held onto the cards and paintings I'd made for her. I do the same with my own kids art and they're always tickled to see that I have Mother's Day cards that they made 10-15 years ago, on display on my nightstand.
It's really great that you did this for your kids, Kristen.
Did you prime the picture frames or just spray paint them?
I think I primed them...it's always a good idea to do that! And if the frame is very shiny, roughing it up a bit with fine-grit sandpaper is a good idea.
Funny you should mention this. Every morning I see one of my favorite kid art pieces which my husband framed for us many moons ago. I wonder if my daughter even knows we still have it! LOL
what a great idea. their paintings are definitely set off perfectly with a frame around them
but with Lisey's two butterflies... leave them on the same page and find a large enough frame. i think they are so cute together! (imho)
Actually, I painted those two butterflies. Sonia and Lisey just adopted them and taped them up to their wall!
I just went to the thrift store last weekend and picked up frames because I wanted to frame some things children have given me over the years from doing story time or helping them find a book or a class visit I did. I love these drawings because they inspire me to keep doing what I do and I thought why not frame them? Ofcourse when I have kids of my own someday I will also do this too 🙂 I also have a button collection that I thought it would be fun to frame and some pillowcases that someone embroidered for me that are too cute too use! Any tips on how to frame them without going to a frame shop?
They look great Kristen! We have a gallery of artwork in the playroom but I've used ultra cheap Ikea frames so far. However after watching Katy's interview on the Today show it reminded me the abundance of frames that can be found in charity shops/goodwill. I hope you don't mind me dropping this link in to a frame I adapted earlier this week as a gift for Grandma from the Kids (I have a lightbulb moment!). It's not preloved this time but it will be next.
Birthday Gifts - Non-Consumer Stylie*
ps - my Ikea frames have plastic rather than glass in them... very light and safe