Holiday Projects

Photo Framing for Gifts and Decor

With all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, wouldn’t it be nice to stay home, stay healthy and create unique presents for the entire family.  Stocking stuffers are always a favorite thing to create and this year you have tons of options.  Emphasis on family and the ties they represent is a great place to start.  Group gatherings, reunions last summer, parties for anyone…those are the photos that make our memories.

Why not create thoughtful stocking stuffer surprises with those photos?  One very quick way to present them is to use some of the fabulous decorative papers available from leading manufacturers such as Strathmore. Coordinated looks and textures can be used to create borders around any photo and add a personal and unique touch to the scene.  One option is to use a double layer of decorative paper around an image.  A thin strip of the bottom color is allowed to show with a wide border on top.  Metallic papers work very well for the bottom narrow band of color.  Textured, unusual papers look great for the wider border.  With the addition of a substantial backing material, this becomes a real keepsake.  When wrapped and tied with a colorful ribbon, the gift takes on even more meaning.

Matting and framing can definitely make a huge difference in the appearance of any art item.  If you are an artist, giving one of your art items is a thoughtful and appreciated gift.  Consider giving it with a mat and simple frame – making it a completely ready-to-hang present.  You do not need expensive mat cutting equipment to create mats, although any mat cutter does speed things up and make it a bit easier.  You can cut a straight-edged mat with a simple stencil knife or other cutter.  Take your time, be careful with your cutting and the result will be lovely.  Try to avoid overcuts at the corners and use a good, heavy straightedge to cut the window—like Artool’s Cuttingrail.

Small décor items such as holiday tree photo decorations can also be created easily.  Use wallet size or cropped photos with small decorative paper surrounds and hang them on the tree, from the mantle, in windows, etc.  These small photo projects also make great package wrap additions when tied to the bow—a little something special.

Collections of small framed items hung together make great impact in décor.  For the holidays, you might want to hang a grouping of special holiday images, perhaps from recycled holiday greeting cards or collected seasonal items.  Related theme items look great in matching frames, in groups and hung in unexpected places.  One such place might be close to a quiet seating area above an accent table, low and near people as they are seated.  Again, these small images, often presented in groups, make nice gifts, too.

Another way to present art items and photos is the standby photo frame.  Art/crafts supply stores offer a wide range of such presentation items.  Decorative borders, simple to elegant, make photos and small original art look especially nice for gift giving.

Visit the art/crafts materials dealer near you to get lots of ideas.  You’ll find simple frames and mats that can be embellished any way you like.  Let this year be the year your creative processes flourish! 

Copyright ARTtalk Vol. 20 No. 2 — December 2009