Cheap but Elegant Diamond Picture Frame

The thing about working with popsicle sticks is that they arent all that elegant. Even if you use popsicle sticks which are colored the finished project is often childish in appearance. Use popsicle sticks to make a wall hanging, though, and no one will even know thats what they are! By the time you finish decorating the diamond picture frame youll be shocked yourself! Use four colored or plain popsicle sticks to make a small diamond picture frame. Simply arrange the sticks into a diamond shape then glue something onto the four areas where the popsicles meet each other. The items you can glue onto the popsicle sticks are nearly endless. Attach shells, flat-side marbles, beans, macaroni, small rocks - even nuts and bolts. Glue these here and there, all over the sticks, or glue just one object at each point of the diamond. After the glue is set or dry spray paint the entire thing. Paint the sticks along with the items that are attached. Youll create a very elegant look if you paint the whole arrangement with gold or bronze spray paint.

To make a much larger diamond shape start with eight popsicle sticks. Place two on each side of the diamond shape and make sure their ends all butt together. Glue the chosen object to every area where the sticks meet each other. Now continue to glue more objects on the overall frame or leave it as it is before painting.

Cut a piece of fabric or scrapbook paper to be the size and shape of the diamond - but just a tad smaller. Do the same to a thin piece of cardboard. Attach the material to the cardboard piece then glue it to the backide of the popsicle sticks. Attach the picture you want to use to the center of the front area of the fabric or paper. If you want, cover the picture with a small piece of glass or a piece of taut plastic. Use any number of things to outline the photo. Cut ribbon strips, felt, small-diameter roping, cord or other material and glue it around the perimeter of the photo. Other choices for outlining the photo include tiny shells, beads, fabric paint, lace or even fake jewels. Hang just one diamond frame up or create a grouping. Make one large diamond and two smaller ones or create a different arrangement. You can even use mini popsicle sticks to make even smaller diamond picture frames. These make great ornaments or even curtain tie-back accents. The photo doesnt necessarily have to be of a person. Use a picture of a sunset, a snowy day or another image to create an ornament or wall design!