School Days Picture Frames

I love the idea of displaying my kid's school year pictures so I can see the progression and the changes in their cute, little faces.  I hope I don't offend anyone by saying this but I hate the options out there for doing this.  The little yellow, schoolbus picture frames just don't do it for me.  When I come up against decorative obstacles I always say the same thing.....I'll make my own!  



















So, I bought some boards and cut them into 16" x 33" rectangles.  I figured out where I wanted my photos to go and enlisted my Dad (once again) to cut them out for me and rout them on the back so I could fit a piece of glass and cardboard in place.  Next, I had to come up with the glass. Don't buy DIY glass cutters.  They don't work!  Instead, I went to my local Lowe's and found my favorite employee who recognizes me every time I come in.  He was so great and cut 28 pieces of 3 1/2" x 5" glass for me.  I secured the glass and cardboard on the back with some black photo turns that I screwed into the wood.  I painted the frames off-white and when they were dry I dry-brushed the edges and corners with dark brown paint to make them look worn with time.  I found my metal label plates online for much cheaper than a craft store so I could label each year and I liked the little touch of metal.  I think it took it up a notch.  I really love the way they turned out and look forward to adding my new photos every year.

Up close of Jack's pre-school slot