Framed letters and poems make wonderful gifts

Framed letters and poems make wonderful gifts

Feb 8, 2020 | Picture Framing

Framed letters and poems make wonderful gifts

Framed letters as a gift of love

February is the month of love. And it’s also the time for Valentine’s Day and the hunt for that special gift. Are you looking for something original to give your spouse, something more personal than chocolate or a stuffed animal? Have you considered framed letters? If you have any saved love letters, we can help you frame it so that it will be preserved and something beautiful you can hang in your home. FOr maybe you have something from an ancestor that you would love to display, like an old letter or an antique postcard from your grandparents. How about the touching poem your husband wrote for you in college?

When it comes to framing and preserving old letters and documents, we have so many options for you to choose from. Framed letters and mementos make a touching and one-of-a-kind gift that will be remembered for years.

Custom framed letters and handwritten notes make memories last

In this fast-moving technical world, is there anything more valuable than a handwritten note? Writing letters is a lost art – emails and texts are easier but far less personal. There is something romantic and beautiful about old-fashioned penmanship, vintage postcards, and the stories they tell. Whether it’s a love letter from your significant other, a scribbled note a friend left on your desk, or a postcard from around the world, framing can help you make those memories last. Let us help you create some beautiful framed letters!

Grandpa’s Love Letters

Did your Grandpa send love letters to your Grandma while he was in the military? Now that they are gone, those letters are even more precious. It gives you a glimpse into their relationship and personality. Displaying their framed letters keeps them present.

Golden History

Framed letters and historical documents can be valuable antiques. Honor these antiquities and preserve them for generations to come. Adorn them in gold! This is the perfect time to use fanciful, ornate frames.

The Romance of Travel

Postcards make excellent framed displays! Whether it’s a vintage postcard from a relative, or a souvenir from your friend’s vacation, add a picture or two to complete the story.

Precious Words

What a wonderful moment when your dear friend surprised you with this poem, complete with illustrations. You’ve got to frame that!

Lot For Sale

Back in the day, a handwritten bill of sale was all you needed. They were simpler times! You won’t see that again. Frame these glimpses into yesteryear.

Just for Fun

Frame a stack of the letters in their envelopes. Keep people guessing what was written. A shadowbox frame can display these beautifully.

Tip: Most letters, postcards or recipe cards are written edge to edge. Try float mounting it – place it on top of the mat rather than cutting an opening in the mat. That way you don’t lose a single word.

Additional ideas for framed letters

  1. Should I order my framed letters online?
    ‘Mail-it-in’ online framing services are tempting, but do you really want to snail-mail your cherished item and hope it arrives in the same condition as when it left you? Bring your valuable piece to us – we can help you find the best framing design and we’ll keep it under our watchful eye the whole time. We can also work with you in person and show you not only the framing materials you can choose from, but also different types of glass and archival mats to finish the piece and protect it. 
  2. Museum Glass
    If you’ve used Museum glass, you know how wonderful it is. If you haven’t yet, now is the time to try it! Museum glass will provide amazing clarity while protecting these valuable mementos from UV rays and fading. And with framed letters, they will be so much easier to read.
  3. 100% cotton rag mats
    For the ultimate in protection, use ‘Rag’ or 100% cotton mats. Cotton is as pure as it gets, so that your great grandchildren can read these letters. The bonus is they often have soft colors which are perfect for vintage items. They are also the environmentally friendly choice for your framed letters.
goofy mugs for father's day

Father’s Day Gift Ideas

Do you always have trouble finding a Father’s Day gift that is different and fun? At Frame Depot, we have lots of fun ideas that are perfect for dad and his special day.

Read More
Magenta -- Pantone's 2023 color of the year

Color Trends 2023: Magenta!

Magenta is Pantone’s 2023 Color of the Year. Viva Magenta represents a positive future in an uncertain world.

Read More
they're playing our song

Framing music: They’re playing our song

Framing music is a beautiful way to preserve the songs of your life. We can help you design the perfect frame for your favorite tune.

Read More

Let’s talk turkey … and frame costs

Sometimes, custom frames can cost more than the art you are framing, but there are good reasons for that.

Read More
how can that be framed

How can that be framed?

Have you seen large 3D objects framed and wondered, “How in the world can that be framed?” At Frame Depot, we can frame just about anything!

Read More
Why did we choose these frames?

Frame styles: Why did we choose these?

Our designers are here to help de-mystify the design process and show you some guidelines that will place the perfect frame on your art.

Read More
how to preserve a vacation memory

Preserving a vacation memory in style

Relive a wonderful vacation memory every day by putting them on display in a custom shadowbox.

Read More
vintage or heritage

Vintage or heritage?

Vintage or heritage? These two terms are frequently used interchangeably, but there is a difference in their definitions.

Read More
go for the gold

Go for a gold frame

Frame your most precious memories in a gold frame. Frame Depot can help you choose the right amount of gold to make your project perfect.

Read More
Your favorite local framer

Top 10 reasons your local framer rocks!

See why your local framer is the best place to get your precious memories framed. At Frame Depot, we focus on making our customers happy.

Read More

Color trends for 2020

Color trends for 2020

Jan 20, 2020 | Picture Framing

Color trends for 2020

Classic Blue is Pantone’s Color of the Year!

Pantone©, an industry leader in color forecasting, chose Classic Blue #19-4052 as the Color of the Year for 2020. It is a recognizable blue, so much so that you probably don’t go a day without seeing it in the sky at dusk, a nicely tailored suit, a pool of natural water or a bowl of ripe blueberries.

Classic Blue

Blue is on the cool spectrum, so it has a calming feeling. This particular shade of blue represents dependability, trustworthiness, credibility and constancy. Classic Blue is a color you can relate to in this crazy, fast-paced and high-stress world in which we live. “This enduring blue highlights our desire for a dependable and stable foundation on which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era.”

Naval by Sherwin-Williams

Pantone wasn’t the only company who tagged blue as a trending color. Look at Naval #6244 by Sherwin-Williams. According to Sherwin-Williams, “We’re predicting that the next decade in color is going to be bold. Naval merges the desire for rich, inspiring color with our yearning for relaxation and retreat.”

Chinese Porcelain by PPG 

Chinese Porcelain #PPG1160-6 by PPG is a lovely blend of cobalt and ink blue. “The shade of blue instills calmness, reduces anxiety, and encourages sleep. This soothing blue imparts slowness, encouraging consumers to practice mindfulness and be more present in their lives.”

Examples of Blue in Design

Your holiday home

Your holiday home

Dec 4, 2019 | Family Framing, Gift ideas, Picture Framing

Your holiday home

Add a magical touch to your decor this holiday season!

 

You’ve made the cookies, addressed the cards, cleaned the house, and planned the party. Now it’s time for the best part — decorating your home for the holidays.  It’s easy to remember to trim the tree or light the candles, but what about your walls? Deck the halls this holiday season by using custom framing to add a festive touch. So put on some Christmas music, grab your favorite holiday drink, and get framing!

Photo of dog in santa hat

 

 

 

Visiting Santa

Dig out the old photo of Santa & the kids from years ago.  Guaranteed Smiles! 

 

Winter Landscape

Winter landscapes can be breathtaking.  Frame your favorite winter scene. 

Family Portraits

Use last year’s family holiday photo to brighten up your walls.  

Drawings

Remember the drawing your child drew and it was too priceless to throw away?  Framing it makes it even more special. 

Try something different this year – hang an empty frame on your door instead of a wreath. You can decorate the frame with bows, greenery, Christmas flowers and ornaments…or just keep it plain.  This will turn your front door into a unique work of art.  

We love our pets

We love our pets

Oct 28, 2019 | Gift ideas, Pet framing, Pets, Picture Framing

We love our pets

We Love Our Pets

Pets are a part of the Family – include them in your framing!

If you have a pet, you know how much love and joy animals can bring to your life. Many happy memories are made with your pet at your side – the ultimate companion! Most pets like dogs and cats are considered part of the family. When it comes to decorating your photo wall, don’t forget the pets! Whether your four-legged friend is curled up at your feet or has crossed the rainbow bridge, make sure to cherish their memory by including them in your framing. Here are some creative ways to remember your pet.

 

 

 

Why Do We Love Our Pets So Much?
They Give Us Unconditional Love: Pets love you unconditionally. Pets don’t care if you forgot to take the trash out, or if your boss yelled at you. They don’t judge you. They are just happy to be with you and spend time with you.
They Make Us Feel Needed: The act of caring for a pet has mental & physical benefits. It can give you a sense of purpose. Pets need physical activity. Exercising your pet regularly gets you up & moving.
They Remind Us How to Be in the Moment: As we become adults, it is easy to forget how to have fun and carefree. Pets can show us how to be more mindful as they don’t worry about what happened yesterday or what might happen in the future.

Your Favorite Photo

Start your day off right by looking at your favorite pet photo, guaranteed to make you smile every time!

Part of the Family

Don’t forget the dog! Pets are like members of the family. Include your pet in your next family portrait or birth announcement.

Paw Prints

Memorialize your pet by framing their paw print, your pet’s “signature.” A plaster impression or inked print will be kept safe within a frame.

 

Framing oil paintings

Framing oil paintings

Sep 1, 2019 | Caring for artwork, Oil Painting, Picture Framing

Framing oil paintings

The Different Parts of a Framed Painting

Oil paintings have been around for centuries. You’ve seen them lining the halls of museums, but do you know what it takes to frame one properly? What pulls it all together? Framing an oil painting is probably one of the most ‘taken-for-granted’ processes of picture framing.  Let’s break it down into its parts. 

Framing Oil Paintings

Is the painting dry?

You should not frame an oil painting until it is dry to the touch. If your painting requires a final varnish or glazing, you should not frame it until it is completely cured. Cured is not to be confused with Dry – oil paint can feel dry but is not completely cured. Oil paint reacts with air causing it to solidify over time. This process can take anywhere from two months to several years; how long it takes depends a variety of factors such as the thickness of the paint applied.

 

wet oil painting

Oil paint can take weeks to dry, longer if the paint is really thick.

Stretching the painting

Most paintings are sold already wrapped around a wood frame, a method known as Stretching. Quite often an artist will stretch the canvas on a frame that is inexpensive, raw wood. These frames can damage the canvas painting over time. For a painting to last forever, it should be stretched on a good quality kiln-dried raised-lip stretcher bar. These stretcher bars come in a variety of sizes and depths. We can advise you about the quality of your stretched canvas.

stretched canvas

Framing Options

Now that your painting has the proper structural mount, you can give it the finishing touch – the visible frame that surrounds it.  Traditional picture frames are frequently used to frame paintings, but we also have Floater Frames made specifically for works on canvas.  When should you use a Traditional or a Floater frame?  Most of that decision depends on what you like or want.  

  • If an artist’s signature is covered by the 1/4″ lip of a traditional frame, use a floater frame.
  • If the edges of the painting are unfinished or you can see staples, use a traditional frame. 
  • If your painting is not ‘square’ it will be very noticeable using a floater frame.  Ask us how we can fix that.  

 

Traditional Frames
Traditional picture frames have a lip that fits on top of the painting to keep the canvas secure. This lip covers approximately ¼” of the painting’s surface. The edges are completely hidden in the frame.

Floater Frames
Floater Frames attach to the backside of stretched canvas bars. The entire surface of the painting as well as the edges are visible. The canvas appears to float within the frame, thus the name Floater Frame.

Accessibility by WAH