Framing a Holiday Memory by Sandi Keene

I have a picture from last Christmas that sums up the holidays for me. I love this picture.  Last year was our first Christmas in our new house (in FL).  Pictured is our “Rescue Tree” on our lanai, Jarrett’s fire pit roaring and the sun setting over the lake.  It was a perfect evening – just the three of us enjoying a relaxing evening together.

(Rescue Tree: I bought a 6 foot tree for $4 at a garage sale.  Then we “rescued” ornaments from thrift stores and decorated the tree.  Many of the ornaments were vintage or handmade – they had been on someone’s tree and loved. We gave them a new home and place of honor.)

I started with a sheet of 8.5 x 11 Mosaic Grid Paper in Black. I love the look of various sizes in an album. If you use a three ring binder style album, you can add whatever size you want.  I knew I wanted to highlight one photo so this size was perfect for me.

I cut my photo into 1″x 1″ squares and adhered them to the grid paper in order, using every square. I started in one row from the top leaving space for my patterned paper frame that was to be applied next.

Then it was time to create the frame.  I chose two pattern papers that I liked together.  I cut the larger sheet into three  1″ x 12″ strips.  One for the top, side and bottom of the frame.  I cut three strips of my accent paper 1/2″ x 12″ and centered/adhered them on the 1″ strips.

Using the grid as a guide, adhere your strips in the 1″ space surrounding the mosaic.  Overlap the strips and cut at an angle to create a mitered corner.  Explanation below:

Place frame strips overlapping with extra paper continuing off your project.

Cut, with scissors or exacto knife, an angled cut, cutting both strips of paper simultaneously.

Good job!

Adhere edges down and you are done – mitered edges!

I created the bottom of the page using three different patterned papers that I liked.

I made the scalloped red border by punching 1″ circles and adhering them to the underside of the top paper.

  

I then adhered this to the blue striped paper making sure my final dimensions were 7 6/8″ x 3 2/8″ to cover the remaining space on the grid paper.  I added stamping, rub-ons and sticker letters to this strip.

A felt flower and a date embellie complete the project.

Supplies: Patterned Paper – Basic Grey Dasher, Memories Complete, Stamps – Studio G, Stickers – Making Memories, Felt flowers – Creative Impressions, Date circle – Etsy.