the space between

upcycle, repurpose and reinvent your space

upcycling idea – one of a kind picture frame {and for some reason some thoughts on religion}

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It’s been a while since we’ve talked about a little upcycling idea around here so today we’re going to pause with the hard-core home improvement and I’m going to start with my first ever thought published on this blog about religion and that is that I don’t really know what I believe. (How’s that for covering a lot of topics in one opening sentence?)  🙂

If that religion confession makes you uncomfortable I don’t think there’s anything that I can really do about that.

upcycling idea - picture frame

I grew up going to Sunday School and church and I am confirmed in the Protestant church. But I don’t go to church as an adult, not to say that I never would. I guess I follow some sort of inner spiritualism that is just within me, and it has seemed to work for me through the years.

With that said, I’m also not offended by religion or talk of God or when others make proclamations of their own beliefs. To each her own.

And when I first heard the Dodge commercial narrated by Paul Harvey during the 2013 Super Bowl I pretty much stopped in my tracks and then had to watch the video on constant repeat for a few days.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sillEgUHGC4]

I grew up on a farm. We are a family of farmers. It was normal to have to feed the heifers after Christmas dinner. One year on my birthday we had to corral a bunch of cows that had somehow gotten out of the fenced field. My summer vacations were spent showing cows at our state and county fairs.

gorham-250th

And I know in my core the truth that the commercial speaks.

And still my brother chose to grow up to be a farmer. To study the business of it at Penn State and excel at it.

And during our vacation to Maine Joel and I became our nephew’s God parents. Which you might think is odd given my beliefs, or lack there of. But one thing I do know for sure is that we will always do right by my nephew. There is no sacrifice too great. There is no greater purpose than to aid in the upbringing of a kind, generous, contributing member of society. And gosh darn it we are fun. 🙂

upcycling idea - use old lattice and beadboard to make a one of a kind frame

And somehow my brother and sister-in-law believe in us to do this the best way we know how. So I wanted to kick it off on the right foot with a little baptism gift for the family. And what says “spiritual advisor” more than a picture frame made out of ratty old lattice straps and leftover beadboard?!?!

I was inspired by a frame we got for Christmas from one of Joel’s sisters, it’s made from old barn wood out of her in-laws farm, with a 1/4″ piece of plywood attached to the front as the “backing” for the picture and a piece of plexiglass held on by clips holding in the photo.

barnwood picture frame

But I didn’t have any barn wood on hand so here’s what I came up with.

upcycling idea - picture frame

A few months ago, kind of on a whim, I used our sawzall to cut down some old lattice. And, in one of those moves that makes Joel shake his head I saved all of the pieces. Come on, it was the perfect shade of weathered wood. What’s a girl to do?

lattice-above-gate

So I picked the straighter pieces and just laid them out and used a square to mark where to cut them at each end to create a rectangle.

upcycling idea - use old lattice and beadboard to make a one of a kind frame

Measure the height of the slats as they lay beside each other and cut two 1 x 2s (or whatever scrap wood you have on hand) just shorter than the measurement, I used my miter box to make all of the cuts. I also painted mine with leftover paint from our front door paint project. Totally optional.

upcycling idea - picture frame

Lay the 1 x 2s vertically along the back of the lattice slats, run a bead of glue on the flat side of each 1 x 2 and apply pressure to it all until the glue cures. These old cinder blocks have come in quite handy since we moved in (remember this?). You could also nail it together with 5/8″ nails or staples if you wanted to, I didn’t.

upcycling idea - picture frame

Now you can really create anything. Trace any silhouette image on and cut it out with a jig saw, an anchor for a nautical theme room? Or paint a silhouette, or use this image transfer technique to create some word art.

This time around I wanted a frame that would work for an old drawing of the farm where we grew up. So I used a leftover piece of the blue beadboard we installed on the underside of our porch ceiling and glued and clamped that onto the lattice.

upcycling idea - picture frame

I used the same painting technique I used to make the reclaimed wood sign in our guest room for the lettering and cut a piece of plexiglass I found in our closet with all of our frames with a little circular saw with a blade with lots of tiny teeth. Technical terms here people, please try to keep up. 😉

Actually, this is the exact saw I used and this looks like the blade. (affiliate links)

And a regular drill bit worked to drill 4 holes where I could then use some random old screws to attach it all together. Please tell me you have something that looks like this because you cannot throw away perfectly good screws.

old-screws

I think they liked it. Well, they said they did, but they do have a tendency to be polite … and they hung it above the fireplace so maybe they’re just thinking quick access when they need firewood this winter.



upcycling idea - picture frame

What about you, been upcycling anything these days?

Comments

  2. this post made me love you even more if that was possible. i don’t judge others’ for their religion and don’t wish to be judged for mine, which is akin to your inner spiritualism. i grew up lutheran, and i do believe in God, but i don’t feel like i have to go to church to prove it or be closer. i have my own relationship with God and Jesus and that’s enough for me. I do want to go so the kids can be exposed and make their own decisions, but not because I need to feel part of a group- I just don’t need that from church. if that all makes sense. and i also love the art! 🙂

    • that totally makes sense, my theory has always been that whoever is in charge up there is all knowing and all seeing and we’ve got a good understanding … and that’s just between the two of us and doesn’t really concern anyone else. we had our share of “that’s a good question for your spiritual adviser” jokes after the baptism. I’m pretty sure my brother is just using me to deal with difficult questions he doesn’t want to have to answer. 😉

  3. Once when I admitted to a relative that I questioned what I was taught in religion class (Catholic), she replied that she had never questioned anything that she had always believed everything she had been taught. That actually made me extremely sad -for her! My issues are more with interpretation of organized religion not in the belief that there is a Maker. My feeling is that he (she?) gave me this analytical brain and he wants me to use it-not just accept everything I have been told. Still, living in the South I’m in the minority and it’s considered very shameful not to attend church on Sundays.

  4. From one farm girl to another, I think this is an awesome recycle idea. I also had never heard that Paul Harvey piece until that commercial. It gave me chills.

    • Me too, Ally! It is such a well put together piece that really captures the reality of a farmer!

  5. I admire your willingness to come right out and say what you believe. I too live in a very conservative community and we do not attend church. I admire my friends who actually live their religion but never condemn other’s devotion or lack of devotion. Unfortunately I also know people who will preach their religion to you but their actions frequently don’t seem to measure up to the standards they espouse. Far too many people confuse faith with religion. But what ever you call it, it should about tolerance for the rights, religion and feelings of others.. But enough about that!
    Love your upcycled piece. What serious DIY’ern doesn’t have a wood scrap pile? I think you will make a wonderful “spiritual adviser”
    Traci

    • I’m always amazed at the judgements that can be made in the name of religion. Thanks for the vote of confidence on the spiritual adviser front, we’ll certainly do our best!

  6. Great post, Karah! I am not a religious person, but I am not offended is people share the topic on their blogs. I figure it is their blog after all. 🙂 I love your picture frame it is beautiful.

  7. “And what says “spiritual advisor” more than a picture frame made out of ratty old lattice straps and leftover beadboard?!?!” – once again, you have me laughing at work! Too funny and a cool project idea – what a good way to start my morning 🙂
    THANKS!

  9. Having the flu has given me a chance to just lollygag and not have to feel guilty………..so I’ve been blog-hopping! And I think I.ve read all of your comments, projects, trials, celebrations and culminations! I too love to use power tools- and garden implements and surgical tools!!!!!!!!!!! just joking on the last one. 🙂 Your end results have been so inspiring….your ideas and the example that you set will give courage to all those girls that say ‘I can’t”! You have made a beautiful home!!!!!

    • I hope you’re feeling better! I’ve been held up with a winter cold the past week myself. Thank you so much for checking out the blog and taking the time to comment.

  10. Whoa, I was scrolling quickly through your thumbnails and originally read it as “so God made a frame.” Seemed a bit lofty for a DIY picture frame! 😉

  11. Beautiful! Wonderful upcycling project to make with my daughter. She recently did few recycling projects at school and we are talking about this often, so such a picture frame is a good reason to spend some time together. Thank you for the idea!

    • This is a great project to do with your daughter, so glad you like it Latoya! Enjoy making your own!