crafts | gift ideas

Tissue Paper Picture Frame

ByJamie Sanders Hours
Comments 35 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Do you need a quick and easy gift idea, or maybe just a little something to dress up a bare wall or empty space on your desk?  How about this sweet little wood frame, customized with printed tissue paper?

DIY Picture Frame

Who wouldn’t love to get a sweet little gift like this?  (Just don’t tell them it only cost you $1 to make…)  Yep, $1!  You can make this with supplies you hopefully already have on hand, and Michael’s sells these little unfinished wood frames for a dollar.

To decorate the frame, all you need is some pretty printed tissue paper and a little modge podge.  (and fabric scraps if you want to add  flower accents.)

What?  All you have is white tissue paper?

Guess what?  That’s all I had too!  I found some pretty digital patterns online and just ran the tissue paper through my printer.  (I pinned a bunch of free papers to my Pinterest Board, you can find the one I used here.)

 

diy photo frame

Here is how I made the frame…

Materials needed for the DIY Picture frame:

  • Small wood frame
  • tissue paper
  • Modge podge
  • nail file block
  • scissors

Instructions:
Cut a piece of tissue paper to fit the size of your frame.  (I chose to go with tissue paper on this project because I wanted the wrinkly- shabby chic look on my frame.)

I did not have too much trouble running the tissue through my Canon mx340 printer, but if you’re having issues, try taping it to a piece of regular paper or cardstock first.

I opened the digital paper in my photo editing software, resized it to 8.5 x 11 and sent it to the printer for normal printing.  (I also added a “linen look” texture to the paper for a bit more “shabby chic-ness.”)

how to print on tissue paper

Then I put the tissue in the paper feeder and pressed start.  I was worried about running the tissue paper through the printer, but it came through without any issues…  (This printer is one tough cookie, it even takes credit cards.)

how to print on tissue paper

Just a few ink smudges on the sides…

how to print on tissue paper

Coat your frame with modge podge.

how to decoupage a wood frame

Carefully smooth out any air bubbles and gently cut an x through the middle of the fame.

DIY photo frame

Add a little more glue to the inside of the frame (But not the side where the picture goes.)  Gently pull the loose edges of tissue through the center of the frame and press into the glue.  After it has dried, you can carefully trim the excess tissue paper.

Let the frame dry for an hour or so, then use your soft nail file or very soft sandpaper to sand the edges of the frame and remove excess tissue paper.

decorate a $1 photo frame

Coat with one more layer of modge podge.  Once it’s dry, you can accessorize the frame however you like…  (Wooden letters, fabric flowers or even plastic toys!)

Have fun making your frames…

I have several photos from this day that I absolutely love.  I am going to make a set of three frames to hang vertically on a wall.  I think I will print out 3 similar but different graphic patterns in the same color.  They would be perfect in our guest room or even the playroom!

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35 Comments

  2. What a gorgeous idea for sweet, simple Mother's Day gift. Thanks for linking up at Whatever Goes Wednesday. We'll be featuring this tomorrow at Someday Crafts, so come check it out!

    Reply

  3. This pretty frame caught my eye at the Lil Luna Link party. I love the aqua chevron and could not believe you made this with TISSUE PAPER!!! I think I may have to copy this idea!

    Reply

  5. Adorable! I had NO idea you could print on tissue paper. This looks so cute… thanks for the tip. Thanks for sharing this week on Project Inspire{d}!

    Reply

  6. I mode podged some Christmas ornaments a few years back and looked everywhere for really great tissue paper. I never thought of printing my own designs on tissue paper. Brilliant.

    Reply

  8. I never thought to run tissue paper through my printer! What a great idea, I love how this looks. Great job!

    xoxo
    Michelle
    yagottahaveahobby.com

    Reply

  14. Such a cute frame! I am new from southern charm! I would love if you would stop by my blog and hopefully want to follow me back! Have a good evening, Nicole!

    Reply

  15. This is so pretty! My sister would love it. Definitely putting it on my Christmas to do list.

    I also host a link party that runs Sunday through Thursday. It starts at 8pm EST. I'd love to see you there.

    Renea – http://cupcake-n-bake.blogspot.com

    Reply

  21. Very cute project. I'm not too sure about putting tissue paper thru my printer but will try it since I really want to do this. Great idea making 3 of them for a wall. Nobody else will have frames like yours. Happy Weekend.

    Reply

    1. I tested out a couple of sheets of tissue paper and I found that the unwrinkled, perfectly smooth pieces worked best. If there were too many wrinkles in the tissue paper, the wrinkles picked up more ink. Of course you could always try just regular paper.
      good luck,
      jamie

      Reply

  23. That is so clever and it looks so pretty too.

    If you have a minute to spare I'd be thrilled if you could share this post at my weekly Say G'Day Saturday linky party which has just started. I'm also inviting Pinning Bloggers to pin to my Mother's Group board; if you are interested the details are all at my blog.

    Best wishes and happy weekend!
    Natasha in Oz
    http://www.natashainoz.com

    Reply