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Meet my friend, Bette.
Bette will kill me for putting her picture on my blog.
Bette is wildly creative and resourceful. She should have a blog because she does so many projects you would all just have a fit over. Yesterday Bette came over to my place to show me (and a few of my neighbors) how to make this fantastic project using an old window, fabric, photo mats, and photos. This project cost me $2.50.
My friends who came over got their windows at local thrift stores for a few dollars. Habitat for Humanity thrift stores often have these.
Window: Free {Dragged home from the dump from my neighbor for me. You know you are pathetic when people see trash and think of you.}
Fabric: Burlap {Left over from an old project but at only $2 a yard, crazy cheap.}
Photo Mats: I had 2 and I purchased a set of 2 for $2.50 at Wal-Mart
Photos: I used ones I already had.
First, clean your window {especially if it came from the dump.}
Second, staple your fabric to the window only at the top of the frame.
Third, lay the window flat on the fabric and position your photos (already in the mats) on top of the fabric, making sure it’s centered in its pane.
Fourth, glue (with regular glue or hot glue) the mat in place on the fabric. {Note: I think this is a 2-person job. One person lifts up the frame enough for the other person to position and glue down the mats. I will not lie, this was rather tedious.}
I apologize for not taking more photos of this part…our hands were tied up.
Fifth, staple the rest of the fabric in place along the back of the pane.
Finally, attach hardware to the back of the window and hang. You can use those metal mounting brackets with the teeth on the bottom or use those hooks that you screw in to attach a length of twisty twine across the back. It would also look great leaned against the wall on a mantle or shelf.
Here’s the finished product again. Would you believe I already had those white frames on either side of the window? This is my home’s entry way and I feel it sort of sets the tone for what we’re all about: Family.
Variations:
You could get a window without glass, staple the fabric on the back, and insert your photo mats right through the pane. Much easier!
You could also turn this into more of a memo board if you remove the glass. This would make it easier to change out photos and memorabilia.
Make it beachy. This project is perfect for black and white beach photos. You could add some shells in there or prop a starfish on the bottom of a pane.
For more “framed” inspiration, see Framed {Part 1.}
Oh, and I decided to link up with Kimba at A Soft Place to Land for DIY Day. Go check out her blog for some fun DIY inspiration.
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What a great project! Thanks for sharing it with us. I’ve bookmarked it.
I love this. Now I need to find some windows. Somehow I think my husband would frown on my using the windows currently hanging in our house. *sigh*
Cute, cute, cute! I know where I can buy some old windows, but I can just see my husband’s eye rolls now….
Nicely done ladies!
THIS is the reason we saved windows when we had new windows installed.
Love the way you explained the process.
Peace.
How fun to do this all together. YEA!! Love that.
This is beautiful! I want an old window!
I’m new to your blog and looking forward to reading some of your posts. I saw your comment on the Nester and noticed you were a homeschooler too, so I came by to take a peek. I’m glad I did. 🙂
Oh wow! I love how your window turned out! I have another one left and I may have to do something similar with it! Thanks for sharing your idea! 🙂
Love it! It looks awesome! Love old windows and love burlap, so this is a favorite! Awesome!
Killer! What else can we say????? You go girls!
Beautiful! Old windows are so much fun!
wow. great idea.
Great project! Thanks for sharing!
Amy
I just LOVE this! I’ve been on the hunt for some old windows – but I don’t want to pay a lot so I’m still looking 🙂 Thanks for sharing such a fabulous idea!
Have a great weekend!
~Michelle
(Treasure the Moment)
I’m not believing you left me out of this one. You stinker! I’ll only still be your friend because you brought me dinner! (and gave me the best shower curtain ever!)
JULIE
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/juliestew
This is a fantastic idea! Starting now, I’m scouting out thrift stores for a window pane!
And Kimba from ASPTL totally linked to this post on her Friday Linky Love today, just to let you know. 🙂
I love these projects! I have a slight obsession with old windows, so this was right up my alley!
I have leftover burlap from a project, now I’m on the hunt for a window! Great project!
I saw a window pane like this yesterday and ALMOST bought it after seeing your post. It had no glass, and I was afraid of not having glass behind my pictures- I may still go back and get it, I can’t get this out of my mind! LOL
Great project!
Love, love, love this! Can’t wait to do this. I have 3 windows just screaming for this to be done to them!!!
GORGEOUS! GREAT IDEA YOURE SO CREATIVE 🙂 LOVE YOUR BLOG!
That is a brilliant idea of decoration and reusing the unwanted window.But it is essential that the window needs to be cleaned thoroughly before using it.
Thanks for the ideas! 🙂