Father's Day Crafts: Frame a Keepsake

Frame a Father's Day keepsake!

Submitted by
Wade Wojcak

Want to remind Dad how special he is on Father's Day but don't have the money (let alone the time) to go on a shopping spree? Try repackaging something he already owns into a one-of-a-kind Father's Day craft. Turn an old tie or even a lonely unmatched sock into a family heirloom by framing it and hanging it on the wall. (This is your big chance to get rid of that ugly fishing hat he never wears but insists on keeping!).

9" x 11" shadowbox frame:
Multiple sizes are readily available at any large craft store like Michaels or Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts. They even make shadowboxes large enough to fit his favorite pair of smelly sneakers!
Piece of fabric:
Solid, patterned, textured—whatever strikes your fancy. Just make sure it's 3 inches larger than your shadow box.
Item to memorialize for the Father's Day craft:
An old tie, badge, glasses, cufflinks, flip-flops, socks, anything that represents dad.
White glue
Hot glue gun:
If you don't have one, get one. They can mend pretty much anything, from broken tiaras to furniture.
Embellishments:
Letter stickers, scrap-booking accents, magazine cut-outs, etc.

Plug in your hot glue gun—far away from the kids!
Remove the back of the frame. You should do this step due to the glass.
Work with your child on the Father's Day craft to cover the back of the frame with the fabric.
Give your kid a hand in pulling the fabric tight around corners and secure it with a glue gun.
Use the white glue to glue the item in place. If they're big or heavy like shoes or glasses, you may need to use the hot glue gun.
Jazz up the frame—spell out a loving message with sticker letters or fashion a glitter border (assuming that's not too "girly" for Dad).
Once everything is dry, insert the backing into place. Give the craft it to Dad on his birthday, Father's Day or when he's tearing up the house searching for whatever it was you framed!