School Days Photo Frame by Candice Windham

School Days Photo Frame

Designed by Candice Windham

I love looking at old school photos, whether they are family or friends, and I especially love displaying the photos of my family. These days, with all the crafting items available, you can create personalized frames that reflect the person’s age group, their interests, anything you like.

Makin’s® No Bake Polymer Clay really steps customization up a notch, and you’re just a little paint and clay away from an instant family heirloom.

Today’s subject is my favorite photo of my sweet hubby from around 1956. He’s so cute and, even though it was another 15 or so years before I met him, I’m sure I would have had a serious crush had I known him then.

Here’s how I did it:

Supplies:

Makin’s Clay® - blue, red and yellow
                         - Texture sheets 

Dies, alphabet and numbers

Picture frame (Mainstays, WalMart)

Big Shot Die Cut Machine (Sizzix by Ellison)

Frame Die, (Sizzix by Ellison)

Computer and printer

Beacon 3-in-1 Adhesive 

Chipboard

Glass Effects Gel, Black (Viva Décor)

Craft paint, white (DecoArt)

Stazon Ink, black

Brush, craft knife

Instructions:

Prepare enough  yellow, blue and red clay for your letters and numbers by running it through the Makin’s® Ultimate Clay Machine™ and impressing textures. Allow to dry.

Roll out a 5” square of red clay, impress woodgrain texture and allow to dry.

Die Cut Letters, numbers and frame from dry clay.

Sponge the letter edges with Black Stazon ink. Use a sponge to brush the highlights on each textured piece with white craft paint.

Paint the purchased frame with black Glass Effects Gel and set aside to dry.

Print the school name and year label with the letters white on a black background (I used the Chalkduster font).

Cut a frame from the red clay with the Sizzix die. Cut a piece of chipboard slightly smaller than the frame.  Trim the printed label to fit the chipboard and attach it to the chipboard with 3-in1

Adhesive. Attach the frame over the label with 3-in-1 Adhesive.

Tie the crayons with hemp or string.

Attach the red clay frame, crayons and the letters and numbers to the frame with 3-in-1 Adhesive.

I’m really happy with the way this project turned out and will enjoy it on my computer desk every day. Who wouldn’t fall in love with that smile?