May 2008 Project of the Month - Frame it!

From left: Glass, double mat, frame
foam core board and block.

The double mat provides a spacer
between glass and the block.

I cut my own mats.  I've made quite
a few cross stitch pieces and it was
more 'cost effective' to buy a mat
cutter.

See note on glass below.

The Larson Juhl frame components
have 2 sides per pack with the
corner connectors.  For this project
I needed 2 packages of 8".

Very simple to put together.  A little
Elmer's^® and push in the connectors.
Voila!

These, and other brands, are available
from Dick Blick.  I was able to get
mine locally.

The deep frame allows enough room
for all the layers.

Glass note:
Take the empty frame with you to 
get the glass at your local hardware
or home improvement store.  They
will cut the glass slightly smaller than
the inside dimension of the frame.

The glass is usually grimy and it is
SHARP.  Carefully clean with glass
cleaner and make sure it is
COMPLETELY dry before putting
in the frame with your work. (Don't 
ask me how I know this!)  You may
want to use a piece of fabric or paper
towel to hold the glass for protection
and to not leave fingerprints on the
inside of the glass.

The frame is made of hardwood.  It
helps to drill pilot holes.  It isn't easy
to see in the picture, but I drilled 2
holes for the hanger and 2 holes per
side to insert the brads to hold the
work in place.

I used my trusty Dremel^® and a 1/16"
drill bit.

Back of work with hanger attached
and brads inserted to hold work in
place.  You may have to carefully
tap the brads with your hammer to
secure.

The back is rigid foam core board
available from most craft stores.  Cut
with an Exacto^® knife.  Resist the
urge to use your rotary cutter unless
you have new blades on hand.

Finished product: framed block

Now you know what to do with
all those UFOs!