How to Turn Dollar Store Picture Frames Into Art for Your Living Room

Whether I'm sorting through the hundreds of picture frames at my local thrift stores or trying to figure out how to fashion one from tape, I can never seem to have enough picture frames.





This was especially a problem after I found these old Life Magazine Nature books with the most incredible, technicolor photos that I could rip out and have to decorate my home.

But I had about one hundred options, and like, 25 possible photos I couldn't decide on. So I decided to run to Dollar Tree, where the frames (and everything else) are cheap and the possibilities are endless. I ended up finding these document display frames, $1 each of course, and stopped by a craft store to buy some little tubes of acrylic paint to fix 'em up with.
I'm revamping my coffee table this week so I got colors that would help bring out the new colors for that (we're doing a chalkboard top and seafoam-y green legs).

So!
You'll need;
-paint colors of your choice (I used the mini acrylic paints you can get at any craft store and a Valspar interior paint, above)
-frames (any frame will work)
-tarp, newspaper, or some surface you don't mind getting some paint on
-latex gloves (if you think getting paint on you is a crime)
-paint brush/sponge (I used 2 inch sponge-brushes since I wanted to do a striped look)




1. Choose your art. This can be important so you can kind of plan your frames and pictures. Frames should complement the picture as much as possible. I picked photos that tie in colors from my living room and the new furniture colors.

2. Remove the backing and glass (or plastic) from inside the frame so you're just left with the bare frame to paint

3. Dip your brush and begin to paint. I did quasi-stripe patterns, each frame focusing more on a different color.

3. Add layers of color!

4. Let dry while play with your cat and Boggle with your boyfriend...

5. Et Voila! Revel in your creative genius and let the frames sit around for a few days before you get the energy to hang them up. 

*bad lighting