A first-day-of-school photo creates a moment in time that you and your child will look back on for years to come. Here’s how to make that moment even more special with a crafty DIY photo frame.
You’ll Need:
Foam poster board (20 inches by
30 inches)
2 Yards of yellow fabric
Fabric glue
Chalkboard acrylic paint
1 Paint brush
Small wood/foam board
Chalk
Black duct tape
Silver duct tape
Reflective orange paper
Reflective red paper
1 Cup
Scissors (fabric)
Detail knife
Step 1: Paint the license plate
To make the license plate, lay out your small wood/foam board piece and apply the chalkboard paint. Apply the paint in one direction with a broad brush. Do one thin even coat of paint and let it dry. After it dries, apply a second coat and allow that to dry.
Tip: While waiting for the paint or glue to dry, you can prepare for the next steps.
Step 2: Shape the top of the board
The top two corners will need to be cut to rounded edges. You can sketch this out by hand using a pencil. Use the detail knife to cut the left corner first. Then, use the extra piece to trace the exact same line on the other corner.
Step 3: Shape the bottom of the board
Draw a line in pencil five inches up from the opposite end of the board. This will be the bottom of the bus frame. Cut along that line, but save the piece you remove. This removed portion will become the wheels on the bus later.
Step 4: Carve out the center frame
Draw a pencil line across the board four inches down from the top. Draw a second pencil line 6.5 inches up from the bottom. Draw a third and fourth pencil line three inches in on both sides. Cut the center rectangle out.
Step 5: Apply the fabric
Lay the fabric out on a flat surface and smooth out any wrinkles. Apply fabric glue to whichever side of the frame you want to be front-facing. Place the frame face-down onto the fabric and press lightly to ensure all adhesive points stick. Allow the glue to dry for at least 25 minutes.
Tip: Apply the glue along all the edges of the frame and apply dots of adhesive in the margins.
Step 6: Wrap and secure the fabric
Cut the fabric around the frame with at least a one-inch margin on all sides. You can trace lines for this step with the pencil. Secure the overhand to the back of the frame with more glue. Wait 25 minutes for the glue to dry.
Step 7: Trace and cut the reflectors and brake lights
The big circles will be two inches in diameter, and the little circles will be one inch in diameter. You will need four big red circles, two small red circles and three small red rectangles. You’ll also need two big orange circles and two small orange circles. Trace the patterns for these on the back of the reflective orange and red papers; then, cut them out.
Step 8: Trim the license plate
Using the silver duct tape, create a trim for the license plate. Apply the duct tape so that about half of it is stuck to the front side and the rest can wrap around the side.
Step 9: Apply bus frame trim
Place one long strip of black duct tape one inch up from the bottom of the frame. Add two smaller strips on the sides a little below halfway up the opening.
Step 10: Create and secure the wheels (optional)
Cut two four-inch by 2.5-inch rectangles from the excess foam board and round the bottom edges. Paint them with your leftover chalkboard paint and wait for them to dry. Once dry, apply a thin line of glue to the top (sharp-cornered) sides and press them to the back side of the bottom of the photo frame. Allow time to dry.
Step 11: Secure accessories
Glue two large circles on each side at the top of the frame, two small ones below the side stripes on each side and a large red circle on either side of the license plate. The license plate should be placed and glued in the bottom middle of the frame. Finally, secure the three small red rectangles an even distance apart at the top of the frame.
Step 12: Write and snap
Use chalk to write your child’s first name on the top half of the license plate and the grade they are starting on the bottom half of the license plate.
Now that your project is complete, have your child hold up the frame while you snap the photo!
