Western General Store

I saw this frame in a local Mexican Restaurant and thought I would try to make it. I found this molding in the home improvement store. First using a router I cut the edge where the picture is inserted. Cut the 45 degree angles on a non electric miter saw and did a little sanding. This is a 11x14 frame. I marked the center of each piece and drew the lines for the cuts which are an inch apart. I made the cuts on the scroll saw. It fit together nicely. So I glued the joints and used a brad gun on the corners, then hammered in a corrugated fastener. I spray painted the frame with a turquoise blue color and put in a colorful picture. I think it turned out well.

If you don't like your view, just change it. I bought this frame at the craft store many years ago, but I think it would be easy to make. Find your favorite travel photo and have it printed a large size. This one is 30"x 22". This one is my backsplash, but you could hang it anywhere for a nice view out an imaginary window. If you get tired of that view, put in another one.

I saw a horseshoe sitting on a photo stand and I came up with this idea. This is our Large Cast Iron Horseshoe which we no longer sell or you could use any horseshoe you have. I used a small oval mat which I purchased at Michael's many years ago. The picture was taped to the back of the mat. I placed the horseshoe on the mat and cut around it with a utility knife. To round the top I used the edge of the horseshoe as my guide. You can use sand paper to take care of any frayed edges. I used double stick tape for this application but for permanent I would use hot glue to attach the horseshoe to the mat. Place the frame on a photo stand. You could decorate the horseshoe with bling, paint, flowers or whatever you have, but I like it plain.

This is a picture of my grandmother when she was 18. Pretty fancy, huh? I don't know what the occasion was but don't let it fool you. She was a hard working farm woman and I was with her every step of the way when she washed clothes in a ringer washer and hung them on the line, gathered eggs from the chicken coop, picked peaches, gathered vegetables from the garden and list goes on and on. She and I were close and I enjoyed the time spent with her. In a barn wood frame I drilled holes for some rusty star nails . I positioned them so that enough of the star would overhang the frame for handles. With a brad nail gun I nailed the rope to the frame. This could be hung on the wall or used as a tray. If used as a tray for drinks, I would put clear waterproof calk between the glass and the frame. I placed cardboard behind the picture and nailed a piece of 1/8" plywood for backing. Any type of picture could be used but I thought this would give it a rustic western style.

I wanted to dress up a barn wood frame, so with a staple gun I put in rope from the craft store, tied a knot in the end and frayed it. I put Mini Star Nails in the corners after drilling holes for them. I glued a little bling on each star and brushed some blue paint on the star nails, rope and a little on the frayed end.