Decorate your room with your favorite memories. Photo from the author.

Remember when taking photographs did not involve the words “new profile pic?” Getting those slippery 4×6’s back from the photo center was much more satisfying than tagging friends as random body parts or buildings on Facebook. Make photographs personal again with this fun framing project especially with tons of photo opportunities coming up: concerts in Millennium Park, late-night lounging by the Lakefill, Dillo Day and graduation parties.

So click away, print out your best shots, frame them up and present them as “I’ll miss you roommate!” or “Happy Graduation!” gifts to your friends. Mother’s Day is also just a couple of weeks away — maybe surprise Mom with this thoughtful, homemade gift.

Materials:

• An 8×11 inch rectangle of thick cardboard (i.e. UPS package)
• An 8×11 inch rectangle of thin cardboard (i.e. cereal box)
• Scissors
• A 4×6 photo
• A plastic portfolio cover
• Tape or glue
• Random colorful pieces of paper/found decorating materials

Cost: About $1.00 maximum (if you’re resourceful for the rest of the materials!)

Time: 30 minutes

Preparation:

1. Cut out cardboard from UPS and cereal boxes.
2. Go to cvs.com or target.com and order a few of your favorite 4×6 photographs for about 15 or 20 cents each. Most print within an hour.
3. Pick a color or theme for your photo frame. Take cues from the subject and color of your photo. For example, if your image has a backdrop of Lake Michigan, echo the blues and greens of the water and draw out the gold tones of the sun.
4. Search your room or dorm for found bits of anything in these colors. Some ideas: leftover gift tissue, scraps of wrapping paper, construction paper, small bits of fabric, sticky notes, ribbon, beads, or chunks you can tear off colorful paper flyers for advertised events. Want to make an Northwestern themed frame? Gather petals from the purple and white flowers cropping up around campus.

Instructions:

1. Cut out 8×10 rectangles from the thick and thin cardboard. Then cut out a 5×7 rectangle out of the inside of the thicker cardboard rectangle so you have a border with a rectangular hole in the middle.
2. Paste some construction paper or layers of wrapping paper to the thicker rectangle to create a smooth surface. Then start gluing or taping down your random findings to one side. Try layering shapes, placing objects at unexpected angles, juxtaposing different materials and experimenting with color combinations.
3. If you used glue, let it dry.
4. Turn the frame over and cut a rectangle out of the plastic portfolio cover about an inch larger than the 5×7 hole. Lay the plastic over the opening to make sure it’s taut, and then tape it to the back of the frame.
5. Choose a piece of construction or wrapping paper that complements the subject of your photo to act as the matting. Glue the photo to the paper (or use double-sided tape). Make sure the photo is centered!
6. Place the construction paper with the glued photo so it touches the window of the clear-plastic covering. Turn the frame over and center the photo/construction paper in the center (to the best of your ability). Finally, tape the construction paper matting down.
7. Glue or tape the thinner 8×10 piece of cardboard to the back to add stability.
8. You can also cut out and bend a smaller piece of the thick cardboard to make a stand up leg for the frame. Otherwise, use duct tape and slap the frame up on your wall, or use push pins to attach it to a cork board.
9. Admire your newly-framed photograph!