Have Some Photo Fun
There are many ways to preserve family photographs other than placing them in an album or simply framing them. A new baby creates a flurry of picture taking. . Select a series of these shots taken during a child's first year, or photographs taken of your children at special events or milestones in their lives. These can be used to create great grandparent gifts.
Photo Place mats
These make the perfect gift for grandparents and are fun for family get-togethers. You'll need a selection of snapshots, plastic place mats, mounting adhesive (available in art stores), and clear plastic Con-Tact paper. Assemble and trim a group of photos so you have a variety of shapes. Using the mounting adhesive, make an arrangement of the photos on the front of each place mat. To protect the photos cover with clear, Con-Tact paper.
Framing Baby
Mount a baby's picture on a painted, wooden plaque. Then glue a 1/2-in. ribbon around the picture's edge. Or, surround the picture with a row of tiny, baby beads.
Bridal Best
For a wedding picture, cut out the center of a doily and mount it over the photo so that the bride is surrounded by a lacy border. Set in a frame.
Notable Notions
Rickrack, dried flowers, lace and decorative ribbons can all be used to offset the edges of a photograph before mounting and framing.
Desk Accessories
For a personal touch on your desk, glue favorite photos to the tops of
small containers. Aspirin tins, film cartons and plastic pill boxes can hold paper clips and stamps.
File It!
Paint a recipe file box and mount a photo, cut to size, on the top. Use this to organize your photographs. If you enjoy taking nature photos, choose the best one to place on the top of the box and file the others under appropriate headings for easy retrieval.
Changing Scene
Have a glass top cut for a coffee table and use this area for an ever-changing photo gallery. Family and friends will enjoy the conversation piece.
Copyright Leslie Linsley, author
Reprinted with permission, HouseNet, Inc.