Make Your Own Picture Frame

Earlier this summer I shared my magnetic picture frames with all of you.  I gave you the general instructions of how to make them yourselves.  I just completed three more frames and decided to share more detailed instructions with step-by-step pictures to go along with the instructions. 

First, I had the nice man at Home Depot cut 3/4" sanded plywood into 20" x 22" rectangles.  You can make your frames whatever size you want.  I wanted mine to be larger so I could display 8"x10" photos as well as the boys artwork from school.

 I then used  a high density foam roller to paint the board Kilim Beige by Sherwin Williams.  The foam roller gives a smooth finish. 

I applied two coats to the front and back of the frames and let it dry overnight.  Then I used a rotary sander to distress the frame and round the edges.  I sanded it more around the edges until I could see the wood coming through.

Next, I applied Rustoleum Magnetic Primer to 1/8" hard board or particle board.  Again, the man at Home Depot cut these to 16"x12".  This will be your "mat", and I wanted a 4" border around the mat.  Again, you can cut this to any size you wish.  The directions on the primer say to do 3 thin coats of the primer, but I did 5 coats.

I let this dry overnight and then painted it Carolina Gull by Benjamin Moore.  While the "mat" was drying, I made 2" stripes on the frame and dry brushed it with Nomadic Desert by Sherwin Williams.  After the stripes were dry, I then distressed the stripes by hand sanding them. 

I applied this glaze with an old t-shirt and then wiped it off.  I start out with very little glaze and add more as I needed it.  It is always easier to go back and add more glaze but much harder to take it off if you have too much. 

You can make your frame look more rustic by hitting it with a hammer to make dents in the wood.  The glaze will settle in the dents and it is a nice effect.

Here is the finished product. I used wood glue to apply the mat to the frame. You can also use a nail gun to secure the corners if you wish. I used Nailess Sawtooth Adjustable Picture Hangers on the back of the frame. I found these at Hobby Lobby, and you just hammer them into the back of your frame.

These frames are easy to make and the possibilities are endless.  The frames you see in this post are for sale if you decide not to make them yourself.  I do have another frame that is 16"x22" that is the same color without stripes that is also for sale.  If you are interested, just email me for pricing.

Thanks,
Our Southern Nest