A few posts ago, I presented a way to make self-framing prints from your digital pictures. I received an email from a reader who liked the idea, but struggled with the cuts to make it work.

Here is an easier version that lets you use two images, so you can have pictures on two sides; one picture can face you, and one can face the person sitting on the other side of your desk, for instance.

Ingredients:

• digital pictures on a hard drive
• The template I designed for you
• 8.5 x 11 inch photo paper or cardstock.

Tools:

• Image editing application, like Photoshop or Photoshop Elements
• scissors and/or matt knife
• glue stick (optional, but recommended)

Make it:

1. Download the template.
2. Use the background eraser tool to both pictures of the little girl. I find that using the Rectangular Marquee tool to select the area you want to erase first and then using the background eraser is the most accurate.
3. Drag your pictures to another layer beneath the template. The hole where you erased the picture will allow you to position the image. Note that one image must be “standing on its head.” If you do not understand, look at the template to see what I mean.
4. Print out the file, and trim away all the black bits.
5. Using your matt knife, cut the little angles on what will be the bottom of the picture frame. This creates the locking mechanism on the bottom of the picture.
6. Fold the image so that it forms a little tent, on picture on each of the two long sides.
7. Slot the angles you cut earlier on the bottom into each other — they should lock, but I find using the glue stick here really helps.

You can make three picture frames from one 8.5 x 11 inch cardstock or printable photo-paper, to reduce waste.

Kevin : DIY Projects, Design IQ
July 16th, 2006