I love using sentimental items in the artwork around my house. The best news is: it couldn’t be quicker or easier to create a personalized framed art piece for yourself or someone else.
- Start with an item you’d like displayed. A few years ago, my little son was a “ring bearer” at a wedding (Just a cute toddler in a tux with no ring bearing responsibilities haha). All day we kept saying, “Look at that tiny, cute, bow tie!” It was so small and cute that we just couldn’t handle it!
- Optional – add a picture where the cute item is being used/worn.
- Find an inexpensive shadow box frame. These frames have up to an inch of clearance so the glass won’t crush whatever you put inside. Here are some great options:
- Optional: add a cute background. I love the idea of using an old shirt, onesie, wallpaper that was taken down, handwritten notes, receipt from the night he/she proposed, or hospital blankets behind a picture, that way you will always have it on display.
It’s not just for kids or babies! I use a box frame to display family heirlooms (Old silver spoons that were passed down to me. They are not valuable in a monetary sense but they are priceless to me).
The background of the one above is a typed explanation from my Grandma who owned the spoons originally and how they were passed down through the family – pretty cool.
Other ideas for items to frame:
- Flowers are awesome pressed into frames especially from special occasions!
- Souveniers from a trip – we bought this wood heart from a craftsman on a tropical vacation. I framed it with some inexpensive remnant fabric in the background.
- Other ideas: key chains, Christmas ornaments that look like decorations (non-christmassy stars, snowflakes, etc make beautiful accents), Have a family member handwrite their award-winning recipe and put some antique measuring spoons in with it. Jewelry. (use small pins to hold it up in the box). Maybe the necklace you wore to your wedding, or that your mom, sister, brother wore.
The possibilities are endless!
Thank you for stopping by Gathering of Lines Home Design. Did you create your own shadow box masterpiece? If so take a pic and tag me on Instagram! I’d love to see your work.
