Preserving a vacation memory in style

Jul 3, 2022 | Family Framing, Picture Framing

Preserving a vacation memory in style

Using a shadowbox to preserve a fun vacation memory

A shadowbox is sometimes called a memory box for a reason. They are the perfect way to showcase special objects and photos that celebrate a vacation memory, family fun, achievements, events, or just the special people in our lives. And a vacation memory is the perfect place to start when creating a shadowbox. Relive those wonderful memories every day by putting them on display. We are experts in creating artistic presentations from your memories. All you need to do is bring them to us and we will create a one-of-a-kind framed shadowbox for you.

Here are the four steps to create a to turn your vacation memory into a fun project.

STEP 1:

Choose a vacation memory, such as the Caribbean cruise you went on last summer.

STEP 2:

Gather all the mementos and souvenirs that relate to your special memory — photos, tickets, clothing, mementos, medals, coins, maps, certificates… the more the better. We can curate while we design the project.

STEP 3:

Bring all of it to us. We will help you arrange them in an aesthetically pleasing way. Once we narrow down your items and layout, we can help you pick a suitable mat and frame.

STEP 4:

We’ll work our framing magic and present you with a framed memory to last a lifetime! Now it’s ready to hang so everyone can relive that magical Caribbean cruise with you.

Let’s take a closer look at our vacation memory project:

Vacation memory and Jayco t-shirt with parrot

A T-shirt form was cut from foamboard/matboard to hold the shirt taut and in place.

Maps were scanned and printed at a size that fits the design.

Individual mats were cut to mimic a framed look for the photos.

foreign coins and drink bottles preserved in frame

A sand-colored linen fabric was chosen for the background. At the bottom a framed “beach” was added, built up with a spray foam and cut to accommodate items.

In another corner we added some coins from the country for your vacation memory, along with some local wine corks.

When you bring your mementos to us you expect the best and that is exactly what you will get from start to finish. We organize, design, and create complex framing projects from your vacation memory treasures. From creative ideas to hanging hardware, we provide innovative design and quality workmanship so you can enjoy your memories for years.

Unique framing ideas for your art and photos

Feb 6, 2022 | Family Framing, Picture Framing, Wedding Framing

Unique framing ideas for your art and photos

“We mostly see what we have learned to expect to see.” – Betty Edwards

It’s always fun to see something in a different way, especially when you are framing a piece of art. And there are so many different framing ideas to choose from that sometimes the final design you decide upon wasn’t what you thought it would be. We love showing you unique framing ideas and the possibilities of how color, framing material, and matting can change the look and feel of what you frame. There isn’t just one way to frame a treasure! Here are different framing ideas applied to the same photos:

Baby portrait framing ideas

This darling cuddly baby deserves to be surrounded by a frame that is warm and soft. The frames all share a delicate element, tying in with the nature of the portrait. There is no need for matting because the blanket in the portrait serves that visual purpose.

Abstract landscape framing ideas

Abstract art naturally lends itself to a world of possibilities. This focal point is obvious, but do you go with the neutral mat? Or a mat the color of sunshine? Or the color of the mountains? How fun do you want it to be?

Colorful desert painting and unique framing ideas

Rustic home framing ideas

Here’s a throwback look of a rugged house in the woods. Because it has a subtle, serene feel, we didn’t get too crazy with the design. We varied the mat colors just a bit. Which one works for you?

Painting of a barn and unique framing ideas

Mother and daughter photo framing ideas

Mother and daughter, is there anything more special? A classic black mat was used to contrast with the lightness of the portrait. So, the next question is what kind of frame? A striking bold silver, a feminine antique, or a gentle silver with soft curves mimicking the waves in their hair?

mother and daughter photo and unique framing ideas for it

Pomegranate painting photo framing ideas

This lovely painting depicts ripe pomegranates harvested from the landscape in the background. Do you choose the lively silver frame with wood accents and curves that work with the pomegranates, or the gold/silver coloring to coordinate with your décor? Or a darker coloring for contrast? The choice is yours.

Landscape painting and unique framing ideas

Wedding portrait framing ideas

The wedding portrait is timeless, but what style is best for you?

Black and white wedding photo photo and unique framing ideas for it

Or a pure white frame encircling the bride’s dress.

A classic wood frame with black accents to tie it all together.

A silver frame to soften the feel, yet still quite elegant.

A traditional gold frame with soft curves for an elegant look.

A soft black frame for a strong feel but not so strong as to compete with the groom’s suit.

Additional framing ideas

Mat Choices

In additioin to all the different framing ideas, do you know how many mat choices you have to choose from at Frame Depot? Just ask us! We have…

Fabric mats – linen, silk, burlap. These mats give your artwork different looks, from elegant to vintage to casual.
Mats made to look suede for a rich, soft look. PS – they’re not really suede!
Mats with different color cores (the beveled white line you see at the edge of a mat) offer a more personalized touch to the art. Cream for an antique look, black for a defining line, and colors for fun.
‘Rag’ mats when you want the very best. They are the best because they are made from 100% cotton. They have no properties that can harm the art.
There are ‘leather’ mats for a masculine or wild west look.
Even sports mats that looks like pigskin or a golf ball.

Would you like to see a design preview?

See it framed before you buy it! We know how painful it can be to make a decision from a corner sample. But not anymore! We can show you what that corner sample will look like all around your art before you say yes.

Different is good

You don’t want your framed art to look like everybody else’s. Come in today and let us show you some framing ideas for your art and photos.

← What are the color trends for 2022? Red-carpet framing ideas →

Custom framing your family’s accomplishments

May 27, 2021 | Family Framing, Gift ideas, Graduation, Military Framing, Picture Framing, Sports Framing

Custom framing your family’s accomplishments

SO PROUD

Celebrate accomplishments with custom framing

There are few things more important than recognizing a person’s accomplishments, and custom framing is a perfect way to do that. As a child, it can set them on a path of confidence and self-esteem leading to success. For an adult, it is a grand ‘pat on the back,’ and who doesn’t need or want that? For a solider or veteran, it is recognition of what they sacrificed. And last but not least, for our essential personnel – healthcare workers, teachers, the staff at grocery stores, caregivers – there are so many that could use a show of gratitude.

Here are some custom framing examples of how you can show them you care.

EDUCATIONAL / LEARNING ACCOMPLISHMENT / DIPLOMA

“All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.”–Walt Disney

You worked hard for that diploma – show it off!

custom framing of debate ribbons from school

What an accomplishment! He’s going places!

Go for the Gold! Notice how the precious metal is highlighted?

SPORTS ACCOMPLISHMENT / INDIVIDUAL OR TEAM

“A little progress each day adds up to big results.” –Satya Nani

custom framing of sports medals and awards

Did you know we can include not only medals and pictures but plaques too?

Show your kids how proud you are of them!

Can you imagine all these medals being tucked away in a drawer?

Can you imagine all these medals being tucked away in a drawer?

MILITARY SERVICE

“The Army is the true nobility of our country.” – Napoleon Bonaparte

custom framing military medals and photos

Memories of noble military service, honor and sacrifice.

Who do you want to celebrate? We can help!

Do you have a special team member you’d like to celebrate? Consider a gift of custom framing.

Is there anything worse than getting something framed and not being able to see it? That won’t happen with Museum glass. Not only does it have 99% UV protection (keeps your art & objects from fading), but has exceptional clarity, so that you can really see what is in your custom framing!

What is a CPF? It stands for Certified Picture Framer, an industry designation for framing knowledge and skill. It means that the framer is not only experienced, but must keep up with current methods and materials in the industry. The certification must be renewed annually to keep the designation. When a CPF builds your custom framing project, you know it’s in the best hands.

← Frame a special memory for Mother's Day It’s all in the details with quality framing →

Frame a special memory for Mother’s Day

Apr 28, 2021 | Family Framing, Picture Framing, Projects

Frame a special memory for Mother’s Day

Looking for some unique gift ideas for Mother’s Day?

Every year, as Mother’s Day is approaching, we all start trying to find the perfect gift. And we should, because mother’s are awesome and deserve far more than one special day a year to spoil and pamper them. As you are considering gift ideas, think about framing a special memory for your mom. This is something that will be completely original and personal to your mother. All you need to do is find a special item of your mother’s and bring it to us and we will help you design a beautiful frame to showcase it.

Here are some past projects that we have done for our customers. One of these could be the inspiration for the perfect Mother’s Day gift this year.

Was your Mom or grandma a fabulous cook?

Frame her apron along with a copy of a favorite recipe. Add a photo of her in the kitchen and you’ve created an heirloom that will be passed down through the generations. This is also a great way to preserve an antique apron that she may have saved from her mother or grandmother. Framing it will protect it and now she can display it and relive those happy kitchen memories every time she sees it.

Did she like to crochet, or do needle works?

Is your mother a whiz with a needle and thread? Does she create beautiful needle art that deserves to be framed and preserved? We can cut custom shapes with complementary colored mats to make her design stand out. With Covid-19 forcing people to stay inside this past year, we have seen an increase in needle works and cross stiches. Here’s your chance to make your mother’s hard work and creativity really stand out.

Does your mother have a favorite piece of art that needs some attention?

Maybe her favorite print could be accentuated with a design cut out of the mat. This customer loved ballet so we put a ballerina in the upper corner to add another custom element. Look around your mother’s house and see if there’s a piece of art that could use a little love. Then ask you mom if you can “borrow” it for a while and then wait for her surprise when she she’s how we’ve improved it.

painting of ballerina s in frame for Mother's Day

How about framing a beautiful painting of your mother?

Frame a painting of Mom. These paintings of this customer’s mom were done on silk when her mother was a child. She framed them to give as gifts to family members. If you don’t have a painting of your mother, you could find an old photo and have that framed in a special way.

Jan showing framed drawing of mother and girl

Did your mother enjoy quilting?

This is one of our favorite projects we have done. A customer brought in an old photo of her grandma working on a quilt with her daughter (the customer’s mom) and we framed it over a remnant of the quilt. What a cool piece to give to Mom for mother’s day. Now both the photo and the quilting square are beautifully preserved.

Quilting square in frame for Mother's Day

How about something playful for your mother?

Did your mom have a favorite toy as a child that she still has? Sneak it out of the house and let us make a custom shadowbox to show it off. This antique doll and all her accessories turned out beautifully, and once again a precious heirloom has been preserved to be passed down and cherished.

Baby doll preserved in frame for Mother's Day

Did Mom have a favorite book as a kid?

For this project, a customer brought us three children’s books and Jan painted the mat to make it more kid friendly for a guest room. What a delightful way to preserve a memory.

Jan is our resident “Shadowbox Queen” and following are a few more examples of her handiwork.

Kid's books and art in frame for Mother's Day

Consider framing some small treasures for Mother’s Day?

You can find all sort’s of tiny treasures in grandma’s jewelry box. Her buttons made an interesting collage and we can design a mat to highlight them. Our favorite is this project with items from her jewelry box. Just add a few photos and you have created a one-of-a-kind memento that will bring smiles every time she looks at it.

Mother's antique jewelry in frame for Mother's Day

Does your mother have any special mementos in a box somewhere?

These beaded gloves came out of a box to a place of honor on the wall where everyone can enjoy them. We used museum glass so each bead can be seen clearly without the reflection of normal glass, and it’s UV protected to preserve the art. Talk about some beautiful heirlooms!

And finally, we can’t forget kid’s art

Mom’s and Grandma’s love kids art! Seriously, they go ga ga over the drawings and paintings you made when you were a kid. We can even design a frame you that makes it easy to change out the art as the kids grow up. You’ll never go wrong giving a mother her child’s art as a present, only now it will be beautifully framed and preserved.

So no matter what you frame for Mom it will make her smile and after all isn’t that the point.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there from the Frame Depot.

← Specialty mat cuts add a creative look Custom framing your family's accomplishments →

Float frames make your project stand out!

Nov 3, 2020 | Family Framing, Gallery Walls, Gift ideas, Picture Framing

Float frames make your project stand out!

Float Frames: A versatile frame moulding for stretched canvas

Have you seen these frames and wondered what they are used for? They are called Float Frames. Instead of the frame sitting on top of your art, a float frame rests under your art. It is a frame designed to lay behind a painting or stretched art to make the art appear as if it were ‘floating’ within the frame.

Why would you use a float frame? Float Frames:

Allow the viewer to see the sides of a canvas
Give stability to a canvas and prevent warping
Can appear minimal or invisible
Are available in a variety of colors, sizes and materials.

A float frame is more versatile than you would imagine.

Using a float frame can be a great way to add another frame to your moulding stack, leave a visual distance between your art and frame, extend the depth of the moulding for shadow boxes, or add character to your framing. We’d be happy to show you our float frame collection!

Traditionally float frames are used to rest behind a stretched canvas. It gives a clean, contemporary look.

You can also add a frame within a frame for a dramatic, multi-dimensional effect.

Sometimes you need to raise the art above the frame.

gallery wrap vs traditional wrap on canvases

Gallery wrap vs. traditional stretch

With traditionally stretched canvases, the fabric is wrapped around shallow stretcher bars (plain wood frame) and secured to the sides. The edges are unpainted and staples are visible. The canvas is usually intended to be framed before presentation. The shallow depth ensures the canvas can fit inside normal frames.

With a gallery wrap, the fabric is wrapped all the way around the edges and secured to the backside of the stretcher bars. Edges are painted and finished; no mounting methods or staples are visible.

When using a float frame, the depth of the stretcher bars is a matter of preference, based on the look you want. Ask us about your options. Either way, when using a float frame, it is best to have the edges painted (even if it is painted black) since a little edge will show.

← Framing newspapers, articles, and other printed media A framed gift for the host! →

Hide or disguise it with a stylish frame!

Sep 3, 2020 | Family Framing, Picture Framing, Projects

Hide or disguise it with a stylish frame!

Disguise and hide your TV or wall safe with a custom frame

Did you know you can use frames to hide things? You’ve spent lots of time and money to design your room just right, but something’s off…it’s not the furniture, or the color scheme — it’s your TV! Your flat-screen TV has become the dominant focal point of the room and when it’s powered off, it just looks like a big black box on the wall.

Thanks to advancing technology, televisions are much more stylish than they used to be, but visually they are still just a black box. We have clever framing options so you can disguise your large TV or wall safe!

Two ideas for disguising your TV: Hide the TV completely

Or, don’t hide the TV — disguise it as framed art!

Did you know you can frame your TV? You don’t always have to hide your TV — sometimes you can turn it into a work of art. With a frame around the screen, the TV becomes a stylish part of your room.

If you have a ‘smart’ TV, you can program it to scroll through your digital photo collection, allowing it to look like art and bring a smile every time you notice it. This is a stylish and easy way to turn your TV into art.

Does a frame make a difference?

Lighting your frames

Lighting your artwork is very important, no matter what it is illuminating. If you have covered your TV or safe completely, light the framed art so you can appreciate it.

Tip: Install a dimmer switch for ambiance.

safe behind hidden frame in gallery

Hide your safe in plain sight

Safes should be hidden because of the valuable items inside. You certainly don’t want to advertise that you have a safe. Hide it in plain sight. We can build a frame that hinges away from the wall to conceal your treasures.

More clever ways to disguise things with framing!

Hide your keys or money: We can build a frame that is easy to open and easy to hide small valuables.
Show the record cover, but hide the record: Frame your favorite album or CD cover, and in another attached frame show the record/disc. Best of both worlds!
Disguise a door? Yes – you can hide a door with a frame! We can frame a large piece of art and secure it to the door so it doesn’t shift every time it is opened.

If you want it hidden, we can build a frame for it.

← Let's have fun framing posters! Framing newspapers, articles, and other printed media →