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8.9.11

Photo Frame Tutorial

Photoframe Tutorial
This is the first time I tried my hand at making a photo frame - I Googled it but could not get anything I liked so worked out my own DIY photo frame and hence sharing the tutorial to make this easy and inexpensive Cardboard Photo frame.
Photoframe Tutorial
My regular readers will be knowing by now how much of a " junk collector" I am- well in addition to all sorts of junk, I dont throw away boxes either and this is the box I recycled into a photoframe.
How to Make your own custom Photo frame
This is a very economic craft and pretty fast to complete too.
Materials Required to make your own Photo frame
  • Cardboard -2 similar sized cardboard pieces - thickness depends on how sturdy you want your photo frame to be.
    Photoframe Tutorial
  • White Glue
  • Craft Knife - should be sharp to avoid ragged edges
  • OHP sheet[ Transparency]- good quality scratch free
  • Photo - to serve as a template guide for your frame
Take 1 of the cardboard pieces and center your photo on it and mark all around to get your aperture
Photoframe Tutorial
Cut out  the marked area at a slightly smaller size [ so that the frame will overlap your photo slightly]
Photoframe Tutorial
Place the photo frame front on a pattern paper,  foam , felt or other material of same size as your card front and again mark out your aperture.This is optional- you can paint your photo frame front and skip this all together. My friend Neha has a lovely tutorial on a photoframe [ discovered it after this post so editing my post]which I wish I had seen before I made mine as she has a neat technique to wrap the pattern paper.Here is her link: Neha's Photoframe
Photoframe Tutorial
Cut out the aperture from your pattern paper- here I used corrugated paper left over from my daughters school project .Stick this paper/foam etc to your card front
Photoframe Tutorial
Mark the photo aperture on the back piece of your photoframe too 
Photoframe Tutorial
Cut off a centimeter or so from the top central part of the back as shown so as to allow easy sliding in of the transparency and the photo.This step is advisable if you plan on frequently changing your photo as it allows easy removal and insertion of your photo- otherwise skip this step
Photoframe Tutorial
Place an OHP/ transparency over the marked aperture and mark out the size required - I allowed my transparency to cover slightly more than the aperture  on 3 sides[ below, right and left] and reach till the top
Photoframe Tutorial
Stick some pattern paper if you want to the back of the photo frame[ optional  as once your photo is in the frame this area is not seen - however if you want to gift the frame cover it with pattern paper so that it looks nice.
Photoframe Tutorial
Apply glue to the back of the front of the photo frame leaving a small gap of a few millimeters from the aperture edge. Dont apply glue to the top as this is where you will slide your photo in.
Photoframe Tutorial
Stick the front and back together and leave to dry well.
Photoframe Tutorial
Make a stand for your photo frame using a strip of cardboard. Take a wide strip of cardboard and bend one end up as shown. I have bent up a 2 cm strip
Photoframe Tutorial
Decorate your photo stand strip if your wish. Here I have used the same corrugated paper as the front for a matching effect
Photoframe Tutorial
Apply glue to the back of the bent strip 
Photoframe Tutorial
Position your stand strip at the center and stick it to complete your frame
Photoframe Tutorial
Your basic photo frame is ready
Decorate your photo frame as you desire:Use shells, beads, quilling, punch craft, clay craft , mirrors , mosaic tiles etc
Photoframe Tutorial
You can slide in the transparency and the photo once you have decorated your photo frame.
I made the paper roses using a 5 petal punch[ Here is the link for the Punchcraft Rose tutorial ] .
Photoframe Tutorial
The leaves and branches have been hand cut from this glossy green box [Now you can see how serious I am about collecting stuff!].
Photoframe Tutorial
Photoframe Tutorial
The gorgeous pink pearls are from my daughter necklace which had broken!
Photoframe Tutorial
I have glued on the base of  the leaves after giving a small fold so that the leaves stand up at angles
Photoframe Tutorial
I hope I can tempt you into recycling some cardboard to make a DIY photo frame. Do leave me your comments
Here are links to some even easier
Handmade Photoframe Tutorial 1
DIY Photoframe tutorial 2

111 comments:

  1. Crafterkhush8/9/11

    Doc... I asked you not to dazzle me.. and you do it ALWAYS.. Not fair.. this again is a very cute project...!! Thanks for sharing it with us and playing along with craftyJc...!!

    Hugs,
    Khush

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  2. atiya8/9/11

    Hey sonia,
    lovely photo frame:) thanx for the tutorial this one goes straight into my TO DO list of prjects....thanx for dropping into my blog n ur wonderful comments
    good day

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  3. Karuna8/9/11

    Amazing stuff!! u put ur heart n soul in all u do and the outcome is always so pretty!

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  4. Unknown8/9/11

    Wow ....such acute project thanks for the tutorial

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  5. Neha Jain8/9/11

    ye frame ka tute to meine kuch time pehle apne blog p dala tha :)

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  6. wiol58/9/11

    Piękna ramka i śliczne kwiatki.Bardzo słodka.Pozdrawiam Wioletta:)

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  7. Jane8/9/11

    Great project, lovely roses, I wouldn't have thought to use boxes for leaves, I will definitely be looking a little closer at my junk! Also like the little pearls in amongst the leaves. Thanks for the visits this week and the encouraging comments.

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  8. Dr Sonia S V8/9/11

    Thank You so much dear friends
    Neha I went back just now to your blog to search for the tutorial -didnt get it- do share the link

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  9. Neha Jain8/9/11

    Check it @

    http://stepstowardscrafting.blogspot.com/2011/08/photo-frame-tutorial.html

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  10. Mira8/9/11

    What an idea Madamji! Now i have added it to my project to do list. Planning to decorate the room with lots photos! A very good Tutorial! the Corrugated paper, the roses,the beautifully cut leaves and your creativity ....another awesome project! Thank you Sonia.

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  11. Carla's Cards8/9/11

    Great looking frame and again an excellent tutorial! It's always a pleasure to look over your work!

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  12. LakshmiRP8/9/11

    This one, i can't resist, i will have to do it, will share my photoframe soon! Thanks for sharing the Tute! How to do the flower you have used here, i like the pattern very much!

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  13. Indira Tanwar8/9/11

    lovely project Doc. I wonder how u get all the time in the world to make such elaborate stuff and then share the tutorials also :) I guess we are lucky :)

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  14. CREATIVE KHADIJA8/9/11

    Super nice tutorial & a cute way to create a photoframe..very nice!!
    keep it up sweety :)

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  15. Ujjwal8/9/11

    Such a pretty frame and do love a recycled project! It looks awesome :)

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  16. Hussena8/9/11

    i really love how u have used basic stuff to create this frame, its beautiful love ur layout and the flowers very much.thanks for sharing.

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  17. Handmade Cards by Archana8/9/11

    Very beautiful frame and the pink handmade flowers are gorgeous.I loved the leaves too.thanks for the tutorial.

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  18. Merry8/9/11

    This is so pretty...those flowers you have made so beautifully.

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  19. Sunshine HoneyBee8/9/11

    Pretty frame for a pretty photo. Especially like the crimped frame look & the embellishing of the flowers, leaves & pearls.
    Melissa
    "Sunshine HoneyBee"
    http://CreatedbySunshineHoneyBee.blogspot.com

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  20. Helen8/9/11

    Great looking frame!

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  21. Dr Sonia S V8/9/11

    Lakshmi[creative mamma] shall share the flower tutorial soon
    Indira I made this frame last night-- it didnt take more than an hour and that too only because it was first time-- I dont think it should take long to make a basic frame.
    Mira I do want to see your room with the frames!
    Jane my obsession with pretty paper is so bad that these days before buying a grocery item itself I am contemplating uses for its packaging!!
    Neha I wish I had seen your post before attempting this- would have made making it much easier!

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  22. Angel8/9/11

    lovely photo frame Sonia.
    the roses are pretty .good luck in the challenge .
    WISH YOU A HAPPY ONAM

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  23. Benzi8/9/11

    Great way to recycle, Dr. Sonia. Your photo frame is sooooo pretty and I love those paper roses. The necklace pearls just finished it off nicely. Super job!

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  24. Marita8/9/11

    Wow, this is a fabulouse frame♥. Love the color and the paper roses are gorgeous♥.

    Hugs Marita

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  25. Patti J8/9/11

    This is quite beautiful! Your tutorials are always so clear and consice! The photo is beautiful, and the frame just makes it even prettier! Thanks for sharing - cannot believe those leaves are from a green box!!! You are amazing, Sonia!!!

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  26. bejko8/9/11

    Ооо какъв интересен урок!Много добра идея!Поздравявам те!

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  27. Anonymous8/9/11

    Such a wonderful picture frame! Thank you for the tutorial!

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  28. Padmajha8/9/11

    Gorgeous!!! Like you, I used to collect papers and stuffs that can be reused in crafts. But many are still like that in the box I preserved them in. You inspire me to start doing stuffs like this.

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  29. yyam8/9/11

    This is so lovely Sonia! And what a great way to use those boxes! Thanks for sharing this tutorial! :)

    And thanks for playing along with my guest Lynn's recycling challenge! :)

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  30. SUGANTHI8/9/11

    Love the way you upcycle doctor.

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  31. Amy8/9/11

    Beautiful frame- I love the pretty paper roses and the pearl embellishments. The corrugated paper around the frame adds a lot of dimension.
    :)Amy

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  32. Monica8/9/11

    Stunning, Dr Sonia. Love the leaves, the flowers and the idea that you recycled. Well done for creating such a beaut!

    xxx Monica

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  33. Maria8/9/11

    This is such a beautiful frame! I love the corrugated paper and handmade flowers, and a great tutorial! Good luck, and thanks for joining in at the Craft-Room Challenge. Maria x

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  34. Romina Nahata8/9/11

    thats a super pretty one !

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  35. kavitha8/9/11

    Very beautiful!!lovely way of recycling:)

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  36. Mallika8/9/11

    very nice doc !

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  37. Zoechaos8/9/11

    Gorgeous frame and fantastic tutorial. Thank you for sharing with us at Craft-Room Challenge, good luck XOXO Zoe

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  38. Mervi8/9/11

    Gorgeous way to recycle, lovely to look, beautiful flowers!

    Thanks for joining us at Craft-Room Challenge;-))m

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  39. asmita8/9/11

    gr8 work sonia.like the way you have recycle scrap.

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  40. soujiart8/9/11

    cute frame...well made using recycling stuff...
    flowers look fab.

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  41. Rosana Garcia Hess8/9/11

    wow!!! this frame is lovely!!! I love recycling!!!
    congratulations!!!
    hugs from Brazil

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  42. Spardha8/9/11

    Fabbie! :)
    Adorable pic too! :)
    And the pearls look too elegant! :)

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  43. Judie8/9/11

    Hi Sonia,
    What a beautiful frame, love the roses, can't wait for tut. Thank for inspiring us with your awesome work.

    Hugs
    Judie

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  44. Cindy8/9/11

    Sonia, What a great Photo frame!! I just love your roses!! THey are perfect!!

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  45. Lifewithspices8/9/11

    Amazing one for me pls..

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  46. Priya8/9/11

    Sonia... You never leave any way not to amaze me... Such a nice way to turn thrash into treasures...

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  47. Lucianna Dilsaver8/9/11

    Really great use of a recycled item, love your clean lines and your beautiful roses! Thanks for joining us at Critter Sketch for our "Anything but a card" challenge :)

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  48. Baukje9/9/11

    what a lovely painting, I love it become
    Greetings Baukje

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  49. Galina9/9/11

    Красивая рамочка, очень нежные розы.

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  50. Lisa9/9/11

    What a GORGEOUS frame, Sonia and what great way to recycle materials! This is just beautiful and so much better than anything you can buy in a store! The flowers and leaves are so beautiful - I absolutely love this!! :D

    Lisa
    http://indymermaid.blogspot.com

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  51. Esther9/9/11

    Wow - great photo frame and fab recycling !! Thanks for the greeat tutorial too....and thanks so much for joining our Craft-room challenge..Esther xx

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  52. Paper Compulsions9/9/11

    Great tutorial. Thanks for sharing. I don't like to call the stuff I collect "junk". I prefer to call it "craft supplies" LOL
    Love the paper roses and leaves.

    Jani
    paper compulsions

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  53. Georgia Ehrmann9/9/11

    wonderful photo frame and thank you for the tutorial! I also use anything I can find "thinking green" in my craft creations. Way to go Doc! Thank you so very much for playing with us at Critter Sketch challenge this week!
    Hugs,
    Georgia

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  54. Besthobbyeva9/9/11

    Absolutely gorgeous! I love it! You never cease to amaze me!!!

    Laurie

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  55. farmhouse-story9/9/11

    wow!-gorgeous flowers on your lovely frame, sonia! great tutorial! thanks for playing along!

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  56. Dr Sonia S V9/9/11

    Thank You dear friends for appreciating this recycled project
    Jani you are so right not to call it junk-- I will also change my terminology!

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  57. Unknown9/9/11

    Beautiful! I love how practical this is as well :)

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  58. Debi9/9/11

    Very Pretty and love the flowers especially, thanks for joining us at Craft Room Challenge Debi x

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  59. Davi9/9/11

    Fab recycle Sonia ;) I do love your wonderful embellies,,,they really dress it up!

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  60. Amy9/9/11

    This is so beautiful! I love those paper roses, they actually look real! :)
    Amy
    redheadedcrafter.blogspot.com

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  61. Jaya Christina9/9/11

    Gosh.. this is gorgeous!! look at the number of comments, Sonia :)))) Killer inspiration girl.. sooo loved. most of all a BIG thanks for your generosity - you are soo willing to share your talent with such lovely tutorials.. Thanks a lot!!


    thanks a lot for playing along at CraftyJC Challenge

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  62. abusybee - DoubleClick Connections9/9/11

    Great frame! Beautiful flowers and trim!

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  63. Piyu9/9/11

    Superb!! And thank you so much for the tutorial.

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  64. Dr Sonia S V9/9/11

    Thank You Jaya for that effusive comment- had me grinning ear to ear!
    Thank You dear friends for taking the time to encourage me.

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  65. kiddo9/9/11

    Gorgeouse frame! And a very well done tutorial, like always! Thanks for sharing your ideas!

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  66. hazel9/9/11

    A wonderful frame and a great tutorial. Thank you for joining us at Craft-Room Challenge.
    xxx Hazel.

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  67. Priya Sivaraj9/9/11

    awww!! so much recycling! and it turns out to be so beautiful project!! this is possible only by you Sonia!! great work again!

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  68. Karin Åkesdotter9/9/11

    Absolutely wonderful! Thanks! Have a great week-end! /Karin

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  69. marenmat9/9/11

    Thank you so much for your comment on my blog and the nice thing is I got to see your blog too. What a wonderful job of repurposing things you do!
    I am sure going to show my little girl the post with the popsicle sticks, she has been saving them all summer to make something and this is a great idea!

    Marlies, from Holland

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  70. sandi9/9/11

    What a cute frame! So sweet. Tks. for playing along with us at SFH!

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  71. Unknown9/9/11

    very nice and beautiful photo frame dear...

    Chk out my DIWALI Event
    September - ALMONDS Event & GIVEAWAY'
    September - WWC - "Cornmeal for Breakfast"

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  72. Shelly Schmidt10/9/11

    You make this look quick and easy! I love the roses- and thanks for the great picture tutorial!

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  73. Kim B10/9/11

    Wonderful project!! I am quite the junk collector myself. Thanks for joining us at Craft-Room Challenge. Kim xx

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  74. Jessica Buffa10/9/11

    Hi Sonia :O)
    Missed you lately, but came back to be awestruck once more. Amazing and so savvy you are. Way to be Earth Conscience my blend!
    :O)
    Jessica

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  75. Tamie10/9/11

    I love this tutorial it is amazing. I wanted to say thank you so much for stopping bye my blog and leaving your wonderful comments. Hope I will see you again. Will be looking for more of your creaitons on MIM

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  76. Crystal10/9/11

    Fabulous frame & love that you recycled to create it! Thanks for playing along with us over at Critter Sketch this week :)

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  77. Laura10/9/11

    How cool! I love how you used the corrugated paper! :)

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  78. craft-roomjulia10/9/11

    This is so lovely and what a good idea, your tutorial is so informative. Thanks for joining us at Craft-Room Challenge and good luck. Julia xx

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  79. Mary J10/9/11

    Suepr project Dr sonia! I love your projects!!

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  80. Kalyan10/9/11

    nice looking frame...beautiful!

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  81. Emma Digennaro11/9/11

    Thank you for visiting my blog today and for your lovely comments. Your blog and creations are wonderful, i have a 9 year old daughter and were always searching for ideas to make together. You have lots of wonderful tutorials here, thanks again hunny
    emma x

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  82. Nisha Jacob11/9/11

    Full thumbs up - so so gorgeous - i love it :)

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  83. Cindy Adkins11/9/11

    Oh Sonia, This is absolutely precious!! I LOVE those pink flowers!!!
    XO
    Cindy

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  84. DIANA L.11/9/11

    This came out so beautiful. You are amazing my friend.
    I love the pink with the green leaves, just stunning
    HUGS,
    DIANA L.
    http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com

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  85. sgc12/9/11

    What a cute project! thanks for playing in the Critter Sketch Challenge.

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  86. Anonymous12/9/11

    wow....this is a lovely and well executed idea.....gorgeous....i loved your quilling as well.

    you can check out my work at www.albergodreams.wordpress.com and
    https://www.facebook.com/pages/Appus-Detour/257995530890742

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  87. Kelly S12/9/11

    Beautiful photo frame! I just love the flowers and leaves.

    Kelly
    http://kellyscraftylife.blogspot.com

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  88. Unknown13/9/11

    Great tutorial beautiful frame.
    byebye,Lean

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  89. Vicky Varvadouka13/9/11

    Wow! You are really creative! Thanks for the tutorial and for participating in SFH!

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  90. Anonymous13/9/11

    Doc.. I can simply spend hours and hours at your blog.. and each post is prettier than the next.. and simply amazing. Love the ideas.. the colours.. and the ease with which this is done!! awesome!!

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  91. Anonymous14/9/11

    ths looks sooo pretty...

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  92. Maria Matter15/9/11

    oh Sonia, what a beautiful transformation! You are an amazing artist!
    I'm so glad you linked up @ Inspire Me Fridays! And thank you, too, for posting our button on your sidebar! I really appreciate it!
    hugs & blessings

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  93. Chriss America Real25/1/12

    Thank you Dr. Sonia, this is just what I was looking for! I want to make a photo frame but I couldn't find good clear directions. when I put it on my blog, I will direct everyone to your blog for the tutorial!

    Hugs,

    Chriss

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  94. meRuu @ Meru's world8/2/12

    Amazing Project... U are so talented... :)

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  95. Chriss America Real11/2/12

    Hi Dr. Sonia, I made your frame and it is on my blog today! www.chrissandlou.blogspot.com thanks so much for the tutorial!

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  96. Atharva23/2/12

    grt tutorial...i needed such tutorial for very long. thanks!

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  97. Nana Donna30/4/12

    That turned out wonderful. You certainly are the flower queen and you know how I love flowers. Thanks for the tutorial. I am now a follower, sorry I thought I was already
    Nana Donna

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  98. Unknown27/6/12

    lovely creation and color combination looks awesome and you got nice space too.. following you... Drop @ http://www.ezcookbook.net/

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  99. Aishwarya9/11/12

    Hi

    I reached this place through Anna's blog - hindustanka..... A really inspiring project. I could very easily make one. Am happy with my effort. Thanks a ton.

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    Replies
    1. Dr Sonia S V9/11/12

      Oh I am so thrilled...always so rewarding when a kind soul takes the trouble to let me know one of my tutorials helped them!

      Delete
  100. Unknown19/1/13

    I really love this photo frame - it's so beautiful:)

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  101. Nisa19/2/14

    I think it's cool. It's gonna be my next project with my kid. Thank you for sharing this tutorial, Doctor Sonia. I am happy to see more creative from you. ^ ^

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dr Sonia S V19/2/14

      Thank you Nisa be sure to check out the links to other easier photoframe tutorials too

      Delete
  102. Unknown26/3/14

    awesome...thanks for tutorial

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  103. Unique6/2/15

    Loved the way you recycle things...

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  104. Rati Payal18/4/15

    Wow! Really very amazing. I like it. All are looking customized photo frame .

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  105. Unknown19/7/15

    awsome creativity.

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  106. MOJCA BOŽIČ22/11/15

    Beautiful frame ... thank you for your visits to my blog. By in Slovenia.

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  107. Unknown25/11/15

    Excellent just what I was looking for to do in art club at school thanks x

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  108. Unknown23/9/16

    did u color the cardboard?

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    Replies
    1. Dr Sonia S V23/9/16

      Ayesha I didnt use any coloring media in this. I used cream colored corrugated sheet for the frame and pattern paper on the aperture area

      Delete

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