GardenMama

.: Creating A Birch Bark Frame :.

.: This birch bark frame was created to compliment this natural photo :.

Recently I received a beautiful photo in the mail from Nicola. I had been dreaming up the idea of creating a birch bark frame,  and this photo seemed just the right one to naturally frame!

I look forward to sharing my process for creating a nature-inspired frame. I am very happy with the results and hope you enjoy it too!

.: I knew right away this photo would have a special adorned frame :.

I knew right away this photo would not be placed in just any frame. I wanted to create something just as lovely to hold it. Now I will share the process of the birch bark frame I made to bring a bit of nature indoors!

.: A simple frame was used as the base. Its simple lines suit the birch bark that will be secured to it :.

I began with an inexpensive frame.  I made sure to pick out something that was low profile enough so that when the birch bark was adhered to it, it would lay evenly and completely from all angles.

.: I used these few pieces of birch bark I had stored away in the craft closet :.

Most of my creating is inspired by nature and by the objects we collect along our nature walks.  My craft closet holds stones, pinecones, shells, and birch bark (to name a few) so that during the winter months we still have access to these natural ingredients for our crafting.

.: An inexpensive frame, hot glue, scissors, and birch bark are the materials used to create this nature-inspired frame :.

I had a few pieces of birch bark that we had previously gathered from a fallen tree. Even if you only have a few pieces of birch bark, the rough look of pieced bark together on the frame adds natural beauty.  If you do not have access to birch bark, try looking for scrap book paper in a birch motif that you could adhere to cardboard before securing it to the frame.

.: Piecing together the birch bark to create a rustic and natural looking frame :.

I began piecing together pieces of birch bark along the frame, securing it with hot glue and cutting pieces to fit as I went along to create a rustic look.

.: The finished frame with photo inside! :.

I am quite happy with the finished result. I think this nature photo and natural frame complement one another very well!

.: I love the pairing of the birch with the flower print - it looks lovely at home! :.

We are enjoying the way the photo paired with the birch bark frame looks at home. I look forward to creating many more!

.: May the beauty of nature inspire your home! :.

.: Photo Cairn ~ Tutorial:.

 

Some of the holiday gifts I created this past season were born of a fallen birch tree. The pieces I enjoyed creating the most this year were birch photo holders. 

Inspired by the sea, I decided to fashion a new design for an original card/art/photo holder from the ever-growing ocean stone collection I have gathered from the beaches near our home!

Now we can create a stone card holder just for you! Perhaps it will hold a seasonal card on your nature table, a special photo, or your children's artwork! How about sharing your Etsy business cards in a stone card holder too?

Let's get started!

 

You will need:

Stones, scissors, thin floral wire, wool felt, a small cap to trace, thin marker, and glue.

Begin by cutting an arm's length of thin floral wire. Next, fold the wire in half to double the wire.

With a pencil or knitting needle, create a loop to serve as the actual card holder.

Twist the wire twice around the pencil, making sure it is a big enough loop to hold your photo.

When complete, one side of the loop will hold the front of the photo. The other side of the loop will support the back, sandwiching your photo in the center. You now have the main loop formed that will hold your cards or photos.

Center the wire loop at the top of your stone, while wrapping both the left and right side around the stone to meet underneath.

When your two wire ends meet under the stone, pull tight and make your first twist in the wire.  Twist the wires together neatly and securely.

Next take out the felt. Now find a lid and begin to trace a small circular shape onto the felt.  This circle of felt will next be glued over the twisted wires to form a covering for the wire and a cushion for your table.

Glue the felt circle over the wire and flip the stone over.  Your photo holder is now complete!

 
My favorite part of creating today was when all three children made drawings to feature their own imaginative creations in the newly-created stone photo holders!

Their artwork made this project all the more beautiful and cherished! Won't you make a few of your own and see just what will appear displayed in yours!

Card Sources:  Math Cards ~ Alphabet Cards ~ Seasonal Postcards