Photo Frame Lanterns and Centerpiece

Are you looking for something unique to do for someone's Birthday, Anniversary, or maybe something special to add to the Christmas dinner table?

Why not make someone feel special or display cherished memories of times past with a photo frame lantern to be used as a centerpiece on your table.

It's easy to do and fun to make. Here are the supplies you will need to complete this photo project.

Supplies.

• 3 frames (the size is up to you)
• Mat for frame (if desired)
• Paint or stain
• Cloth tape
• Vellum paper
• Printer and scanner if you are using a printed photo
• Votive candle and clear candle holder

How to Make a Centerpiece with Frames.

Decorating the Frame.

For this project start at a dollar store to look for frames. You will want to get three of them that are the same size and flat, no frills, you can decorate later if you want.

When you get your frames you will only use the glass and the frame. Paint or stain the frame. This can be a solid color, you can use a crackle medium, you can paint it then rough it up a bit - whatever your style is - go for it!

If you are using this as a centerpiece for a Birthday Party, you can buy some decorative birthday cut-outs, letters, etc. to decorate the frame. Same for a holiday centerpiece as well. Use your imagination.

Preparing the Picture.

Vellum is typically a light yellowish, light beige color. You will use this to print the picture on. When your pictures are printed on the vellum paper it will be translucent enough for the pictures to show through the candlelight.

If you are using an old photo or something where there is no electronic copy, you will need to scan this to your computer.

If you have a picture from a digital camera and it's already on your hard drive, open it up and prepare it for printing.

Using a photo editing software, which there are many free ones online if you don't have one; check out our Photography Resources page, size them to fit your frames and change the color to black and white.

Then using an ink-jet printer, print the photos on the vellum paper.

Making the Lantern & Centerpiece.

Now that you have these tasks done, let's put it all together.

How you do this next step is up to you.

Put your pictures in the frame; you can either put the glass in first (in front of the picture) or last (behind the picture). I typically put the glass behind the picture. If you put the glass behind the picture I suppose you could use some kind of clear plastic (like a sheet protector) to put in front of the picture for protection, but I haven't tried that yet.

Once you have all your pictures in the frame, place them side-by-side and tape them together with the cloth tape to make a hinge. Stand the frames up and make a triangle around the votive candle (in the candle holder).

Light the candle and enjoy.