The Artful Crafter: How to Make a Serving Tray from a Picture Frame

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

How to Make a Serving Tray from a Picture Frame

[This project started Monday.]

Now that the frame has had a day for the paint to dry, screw the handles on the outside of the frame.

Tape the scrapbook paper to the inside opening of the mat with the double sided tape as shown.

When sizing the background paper, leave about ¼ inch extra all around the mat opening so that photos can be tucked under the mat as shown below.

Arrange your photos, overlapping them in some areas and tucking some edges under the mat as desired. When you are satisfied, glue the photos in place with the acid-free glue stick.

Position the buttons and glue in place with Aleene’s Clear Gel Tacky Glue.

Lay the tatting or lace down along the edges of the mat opening making sure the corners will all look the same. The tatting I used worked out great as it allowed eight scallops along the top and bottom and six scallops along the ends making each corner the same. Cut the tatting to fit and apply Fray Check to the cut ends. Glue the tatting or lace down with Aleene’s Quick Dry Tacky Glue.

Glue the ribbon roses at each corner.

Assembly Instructions:

Clean the glass and place back into the frame, then the mat with attached background paper and photo display and finally the backing cardboard.

Place Glazier’s Points all around the frame about every 2 inches and push them in with the putty knife.

Optional for heavy frame: Place a mending brace across each corner for added strength and security. Round the outer corners of each brace with a metal file if needed to fit the frame. Screw braces in place.

Cut brown paper to size and glue to back of frame to hide all “the works” and give a professional finish.

Attach a rubber furniture protector to each corner.