27. China Plate Frame

Time: 15 minutes
Cost: $5 or under


Materials:

1 china plate - look for one that is flat in the middle rather than one with a raised ridge because it'll be easier to place your photo
1 photo
Glue
Clear varnish and brush
Scrapbook letters (optional)

Here we go...

This is a quick and easy project that you can make for very little money.  I picked up this Italian blue and white side plate for $1.50 in an Op Shop today and I decided to make it into a photo frame.

Give your plate a really good clean before you start.

Choose your photo and find a circular object to use as a template. Cups and small bowls work well. Hold you photo up to a window pane face down and draw around your template. By drawing on the back of the photo you'll avoid any pen marks in the image, and the window will help you to place the circle in the right place.

I cut a circle out of paper to put behind the photo, but you could skip this step if you wish.

Glue each layer together, then glue the photo onto the plate. Measure so that you have the photo right in the middle of the plate.

Place your letters around the frame and glue them down. Use a cotton bud (q-tip) to clean up any glue around the letters.

Give the whole thing another wipe to remove any dust or fingermarks.

Take the plate outdoors or open some windows then give the whole thing a coat of varnish.

At this stage you could tape some wire onto the back so that you can hang it on the wall, or use a cute plate display holder on a shelf.

Other ideas to try:

A vintage floral plate with an old photo or cut out from a retro magazine

Bright coloured plate with photos of your kids. Put hand or finger prints around the plate before varnishing.

Make a matching set for Grandparents or for Mothers Day.

Choose an image you love from a postcard, magazine, or poster and match one of the colours in the image to the plate.

Experiment with other things to glue around the edge - buttons, gems, twine spelling out words.. . you're limited only by your imagination.

Happy crafting everyone!