Fabric fridge frame | How About Orange

November 13, 2008

Fabric fridge frame

A used corrugated cardboard box was sitting around here collecting dust, so I decided to chop it up and make something out of it. (More on the chopping at the end of this post.) Voila, a magnetic picture frame.

To make this, cut a piece of corrugated cardboard to the size you want. (Make sure the opening is slightly smaller than the dimensions of the photo you intend to frame.) Cut a piece of cotton batting or thick fleece exactly the same size and glue it to the cardboard, then turn it face down. Next, cut your fabric into a rectangle that allows you enough extra to wrap around to the back of the frame. Trim the outer corners off at 45ยบ and cut slits toward the inner corners. Then wrap the fabric to the back and glue. (I used some gel fabric glue, but it's messy. Next time: glue gun.)

Add a felt backing with either a slit for inserting your photo, or just stick on two separate pieces, one for the pocket and another strip across the top to hide the fabric's ugly raw edges. When you glue the felt on, apply the glue just outside of the area where the photo will sit. Make sure the outer edges are stuck down, too, and add some magnets to hold it on your fridge.

The reason I was desperate to chop up a cardboard box was so I could try out my new toy: this Skil Power Cutter. It's cordless, self-sharpening, and makes slicing through cardboard and foam core a piece of cake. If you have a job that requires precision and perfectly straight lines, this is not your tool, but for cutting things down to size quickly, it's perfect. Love it.

45 comments:

Anonymous said...

Last year I used magnetic sheets for a "kind of fridge stuff" (http://bohemia.over-blog.com/article-14839892.html) but I will definitely try your version this year ! Thanks for the tuto...and what a toy :-))

Michelle Engel Bencsko said...

I'll have to try this. Sans fantabulous cutter, though.

Andi said...

Thanks for a great tutorial I'll definitely be trying that one.
Andi :-)

Grandma G said...

What a cute family in your frame! :-) Oh, the frame is nice, too, BTW.

Mum

Jacqui said...

This is absolutely adorable! Where can I get that fabric?

Benny said...

This is so adorable! I will have to add your blog to my blog list!

Emilyt said...

what a cute idea! perfect small gift or stocking stuffer this year. thanks!

Anonymous said...

I love, love, loved your new cutter, until I learned it cost around $50. Now I just like it a lot.

wanderlust junkie said...

love it!!! :-D thanks!

margaux said...

what a great idea! i'm actually in the process of moving and have a TON of boxes to use... now to find my glue gun...

}¡{ said...

Loved it! Actually it woule be a nice xmas gift :)
Thanks for sharing x

Ashlee said...

Ooh I want one of those cutters. I can think of all kinds of projects where I would "need" it.

Alfred T. Mahan said...

Now THAT kind of cutter is exactly the sort of thing I wa...no, NEED for my various hobby projects involving foamcore! At last, my dirigible and ironclad projects can be realized!

Rhoda said...

How simple! I'm making a bunch of those for Christmas gifts this year! Where's the fabric from?

Jessica Jones said...

The fabric is from an IKEA duvet set I cut up to make curtains for the kitchen. See here. The frame is made out of the pillow case fabric and the curtains are made from the duvet cover.

Alexis said...

i love this... christmas gift idea!

Rachel@oneprettything.com said...

Great idea! I'll be linking to this in The Daily DIY.

Lauren said...

GREAT idea! And CUTE fabric!

Corri Taylor said...

I love it too

Nicole said...

Super great idea! I was just trying to think of things to make to give to "shopping day" at my son's preschool. The kids shop for people on their christmas list. This will be perfect! Thanks!

Little Sister said...

amazing idea!!

Little Sister said...

+I have that duvet set :D but I still use it for my pillow and blanket (actually I put it on this week and some minutes ago I was wondering.. the fabric looked so familiar

Emily said...

I love it!
Thank you!

Jenn said...

such a great idea!! did I spot some IKEA fabric??

Lori said...

Oh I am definitely stealing this idea! Christmas gifts for family/friends/coworkers! Yay

Anonymous said...

I have got to get one of those power cutters. Oh wow. Love the project too. :)

Netta said...

Oh wow. We used to make these back in the 70's and I forgot all about them! Thanks! SO CUTE! My kids will love doing this project.

EmmaTM said...

Nice project, thanks for posting it!

Lyndal said...

thanks for the great idea some fabulous presents to send home that wont cost a small fortune...

Laurel said...

Awe !So darling! I love redoing pics and changing out frames- an inexpensive and fun look- cool fabrics-I could see using wide fun ribbon on the cardboard also! -endless possibilities-thanks!

mrstolli said...

I love this idea! I'll have to try some for Christmas gifts. Thanks!

Tiffany said...

Oh, this brings back memories. I'm almost embarrassed to admit it now but... a project just like this one won me quite a ribbon back in my 4H days. :D

Zuliblu said...

I love the modern twist on these frames! I used to make and sell these at craft fairs back in the 80's. Of course back then they were made from country floral fabric or taffeta and lace. I also made photo albums the same way. My husbands aunt still talks about how beautiful my albums were, I just cringe now.

Mauren Veras said...

love it! definately I will try.

mrstolli said...

I was inspired after I saw your picture frame. I made a few of my own and even added some ribbon decorations. Thanks so much for the idea and tutorial!

Unknown said...

I just love this project! My husband and I have $0 for our Christmas budget this year and this will be perfect to make. Thanks for sharing...and I'm going to have to check out that awesome cutter when I get a chance.

BTW, I love your blog. I've added you to the Blogroll on my site.

Anonymous said...

i love this idea.it's great! i'll try this as a adorable xmas gift.

Doda said...

very cool!

Rhonda Kauffman said...

This is a great tutorial! I just made a couple for stocking stuffers. Thanks so much! They're super cute.

AliGripp said...

Super cute!! I used to make these as gifts back in high school

Amber said...

Hey Jessica! Thank you so much for posting this tutorial. I made about 10 frames for Christmas gifts and they all turned out SO cute! I'm working on a blog entry now giving you credit. Thanks again!

KristinB said...

This is great! I've been looking in stores for some magnetic picture frames lately, I'm so glad I ran across this post. I'm going to gather some materials and make a few this week. Such a cute idea.

Sonja said...

Just designed my first fridge frame (red with white dots) :-D Love it!! Thanks for the super tutorial!

Richelle G said...

it's awesome!:D i'm going to make this for my school assignment on crafts out of reused rubbish..

jelly andrews said...

This is so cute. And it is easy to make too. I guess this would be a great way to have your photo on display without sacrificing the budget.