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Upcycle a Clock into a Picture Frame

Do you have an electric clock that stopped working? Yes? Well, I’m here to show you how to upcycle a broken electric clock into a picture frame. Hi, Pretty Handy Girl readers, it’s Julie from Love My Simple Home and I can’t wait to share this upcycling idea with you. This awesome marble clock has been with me for years. When it stopped working I decided to upcycle it into this chic picture frame.

Materials:

Old clock
Photograph
Screwdriver
Pliers
Painter’s Tape or Masking Tape
Gold Spray Paint
Double Sided Tape

Instructions:

The first thing you need to do is remove the electric wire (unless your clock is battery-powered).

Using a screwdriver, gently pry off the back plate.

Remove the clock mechanism and lay it on a flat surface.

Remove the wire caps, then disconnect the wires by twisting them apart. Pull the cord through the hole where the clock was and then through the back plate.

This leaves you with an empty hole to use as a picture frame.

The rim around the clock will be used for the frame.

Flip the clock upside down and use pliers to detach the metal case where the parts of the clock are housed.

After the clock mechanism is removed use a screwdriver to pry apart the circular rim. (Optional: spray paint the rim any color you want.)

Select a treasured photo and hold it up to the back of the clock frame.

Before you tape the photograph, test how you want the picture to show in the cutout of the frame. Using painter’s tape or masking tape, secure the photo to the back of the frame.

Cover the back of the photograph with a piece of cardstock using double sided tape.

Place the rim back into the front of the clock frame.

And you have a beautiful new picture frame from an upcycled clock.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. Hop on over to my blog for more upcycling ideas!
~ Read more of Julie’s Tutorials ~

Pin for later!

March 28, 2018/3 Comments/by Julie at Love My Simple Home

art, Build It, Do It Yourself, Home Decor

How to Build a Custom Vintage Ruler Picture Frame

How to Custom Build a Vintage Ruler Picture Frame

How to Build a Custom Vintage Ruler Picture Frame

Every year when I go to meet my sons’ new teachers, I tell them if there is anything that needs fixing to let me know. It’s my small show of appreciation for all they do for my kids. Before Christmas, one of the teachers took me up on my offer. She asked me to fix a frame that had fallen off the wall and broke. I took one look at the cheap MDF frame and knew it was beyond repair. I didn’t tell her, because I wanted to surprise her with a Custom Built Vintage Ruler Picture Frame.

The great thing about this project is it uses cheap 1″ x 4″ lumber. And you can add your own moulding to dress up the frame if you like. Or just leave the frame plain, either way you’ll save major money by building your own custom frames!

Ready to learn how to build your own custom vintage ruler picture frame? Let’s get framing!

Materials:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Power sander
Brad nailer
5/8″ nails
1 ½” nails
Miter saw
Staple gun
1/2″ staples
90 degree clamp
2 long clamps (learn how to use two short clamps as a long clamp here)
Ruler
Wood glue
Ear protection
Safety glasses
1″ x 4″ lumber
Vintage rulers
Framing points
5-in-1-tool (or flat edge to press framing points into wood)

Instructions:

This tutorial assumes you have mounted art and glass, but if you don’t you can follow this tutorial for cutting your own art mats.

Cutting the Frame:

Use a table saw to rip your 1″ x 4″ lumber. Run your board through the saw along the 4″ side, then flip the wood up and run it through again. This will take 1/4″ off one corner to create a rabbet to place your art into.

Lay your ripped 1″ x 4″ boards against the fence of your miter saw. (I like to pre-cut four pieces a few inches larger than my artwork.) Cut one end of your boards at a 45° angle (angle the saw blade to position the rabbet on the short side.)

Set one board against your art. Before cutting the other side, measure the width of the art. Add an extra 1/8 inch. Mark the inside corner and cut to length (angling the miter saw blade in the opposite direction as your first cut.)

Take your first cut board and lay it on to of a second board. A quick way to cut them exactly the same length is to place the already cut board on top of the second board and line up the ends. Then line the blade up with the cut on your first board. Clamp the boards down and cut.

Dry fit the two identical sides. Lay one 1″ x 4″ board over the cut boards at a 9o° angle. Mark the inner corner where you need to cut.

Cut the side piece and dry fit to make sure the cut is perfect.

Repeat the process above to cut two identical parallel side pieces.

Dry fit the frame around your artwork to make sure everything is square and fits inside the rabbet.

Assembling the Frame:

Apply a line of wood glue on the corners.

Clamp the corners with a 90° clamp then use your staple gun to fasten them together (on the back side of your frame). The wood glue is strong, but this will hold it in place while the glue dries.

I like to add 1 ½” brad nails (one on each side of the corners) to further hold the frame together. (I don’t want the teacher’s frame to fall apart ever again!)

Clamp the frame and let the wood glue harden. If you don’t have clamps long enough, here is how to make one long clamp with two short clamps!

While the glue cures, cut off any chipped, broken, or rounded ends from your vintage rulers.

Lay the first two rulers against the outer edge of your frame.

Mark the ruler where you need to trim and cut off the excess.

Continue until the outer edge of your frame is covered by rulers. Then start working on the inside of the first rulers. Measure, mark and cut the rulers to fit. Don’t worry if you are left with a small section of frame showing.

After all the rulers are measured and cut, use wood glue to adhere them to the frame. Follow up with a few brad nails to hold the rulers in place while the glue dries.

Sand the edges lightly with your sander to remove any splinters or rough edges.

Securing Artwork and Adding Hanging Hardware:

Fit your artwork into the frame. Place a framing point onto the back of the artwork with the point toward the frame. Use a 5-in-1-painter’s tool (or other flat tool) to push the point into the wooden frame. These will hold your artwork secure within the frame.

Add your hanging hardware. I prefer using D-rings and picture hanging wire, but you can use any hanging hardware you like.

Congratulations! You are done and now have a beautiful (and unique) Custom Vintage Ruler Picture Frame!

This is an easy project to build and enables you to customize the frame to any size that you need. The vintage rulers add some character and charm to the frame.

I hope you liked this tutorial on How to Build a Custom Vintage Ruler Picture Frame. Check your local vintage shops, Craig’s List or Ebay for some rulers and make one of your own!

Pin or Share this project with your friends! Because friends don’t let friends spend lots of money on art frames!

If you liked this tutorial, you’ll love these frames:

Scrap Wood Shadow Box Frame:

DIY Plywood Frames:

February 23, 2018/4 Comments/by Brittany Bailey

Decorating, DIY, Gardening, Home Decor, Landscaping, Landscaping & Gardening

DIY Living Wall Planter Tutorial

DIY Living Wall Planter Tutorial

For anyone who lives in a “not so sunny” place (and needs a quick pick me up from the dull grey skies), you’ll find this easy DIY Living Wall Planter Tutorial just what you’ve been craving. Even if you live in the sunshine state, bringing the outdoors inside may have a lot of benefits for your health. According to the NASA clean air study (which was led by NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America), certain indoor plants naturally remove toxins from your indoor air.

This project was inspired by our outdoor green wall. We thought it would be fun to create a wall planter for indoor use. Similar to an outdoor living wall, an indoor one gives a natural feel to any empty space in your home.

Do you have a blank wall that needs some decor? Why not dress up this space with a mini living wall? This project is easy enough for the beginner do it yourself-er, so let’s get started.

DIY Living Wall Planter Tutorial Materials:

Wall Grid Plant Hanger (look for them in organization aisle at Lowe’s)
Plastic Planters (Can be purchased at IKEA for .79 cents each)
3 small Ivy Plants ($3.99 per plant)
2 IKEA Blecka hangers (sold in a pack of 4 for $3.99)
2 – 1 inch Drywall Anchors
Level
Drill (if you use drywall anchors)
Pencil

Optional:

Spray paint of your choice

DIY Living Wall Planter Tutorial Instructions:

The wall grid we found in the organization aisle at Lowe’s Home Improvement store was under $6.00. It measures 22 inches by 24 inches. The size was prefect, but I wasn’t crazy about the color.

Spray paint the wall plant holder if you wish. You can use spray paint you have on hand or purchase the color of your choice. (I almost chose a rustic bronze to match the bronze iron farmhouse bed but decided to paint it white.) The great news is that you can always paint over it if you tire of the original paint or decide to move it to another room. Obviously, you want to spray paint in a well ventilated area. Let the grid dry. (It should dry within 30 minutes or so.)

Step 1: Eyeball or measure a spot on the wall to hang your living wall.

Hold the wall plant holder up on the wall. Use a level to make sure your holder is level.

Hold up the Blecka hooks and mark the holes with a pencil. Drill the drywall anchor into the wall at these marks. (Alternatively, you can attach the hooks to wall studs.) This wall grid is not extremely heavy, so securing the hooks to studs is optional.)

Step 2: Hang the wall plant holder onto the Blecka hooks (make sure it is completely dry before hanging.)

Step 3: Place your plants into the planters. You can leave them in the original plastic pots they came in and simply place them into the holder. (When you water the plants the water can actually drain down to the plastic holder. Periodically pour out any water that accumulates.)

Step 4: Now, for the fun part! To finish off your living wall planter, slide the plastic containers onto the wall grid. Play around with the placement of the plants until it appeals to your eye.

(Note: the plastic bins from IKEA with the wide hook on the back are perfect for this project. If you purchase different bins, you might need to add your own hooks.)

Feel free to use your imagination with this project. Use succulents, different color plants, flowers, or something totally different like office utensils if hanging in a home office.

My white living wall hanger is hung on a wall painted with Magnolia Homes Brand “Shiplap” paint. The greenery stand out on the light colored walls. Imagine what you can do with copper sprayed grid on dark or light colored walls! You can also spray paint the Blecka hooks to blend into the wall. Go ahead and get spray paint happy with the white plastic plant holders. Bright colors could really bring this project to life!

We thought a little greenery in our newly remodeled farmhouse guest bedroom would add the perfect natural element. Have fun with this quick and easy mini living wall project that brings natural elements indoors.

January 31, 2018/4 Comments/by Diane and Dean

Home Decor

DIY Scrap Plywood Wall Clock

Hello, Pretty Handy readers! It’s Anika from Anika’s DIY Life and I am back with a quick tutorial on making a wall clock using scrap plywood.

I recently gave our staircase a makeover and resorted to a lazy way of fixing up the stair risers. Consequently, I had a bunch of end pieces leftover from cutting down the plywood underlayment to size. But, those scraps now have a new life and they can tell time.

Materials:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Scrap plywood (I used 7/32″ plywood underlayment)
Scrap MDF or [amazon_textlink asin=’B01LZLCXBK’ text=’1/4″ plywood’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’prett-wp-001-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’06050490-df96-11e7-b7c1-e53fa08bfce6′]
Wood stains in a few colors
Clock mechanism kit (look for shaft length based on the thickness of your plywood)
Jigsaw
Drill
Table saw
White paint pen
Krazy glue

Instructions:

Step 1 – Start by drawing a 12″ circle on the MDF/plywood. You can use anything round like a pot lid or dinner plate to trace.

Step 2 – Cut out the circle using a jigsaw. (A scroll saw or bandsaw would make this task slightly easier if you have one.)

Step 3 – Rip the pieces of plywood into 2″ strips and stain in various shades. You could paint various colors for a fun colorful look!

Step 4 – Lay out the strips on top of the MDF circle, adjust until you like the design. Attach them using a strong glue like Krazy Glue.

Step 5 – Flip the circle over and cut off the overhanging plywood pieces.

Step 6 – Mark and write the clock numbers with a paint pen. Attach the clock mechanism per instructions on the package.

Your clock is finished and it will look beautiful with any rustic or modern decor.

The bonus is, I used up a handful of scraps! There is a sense of satisfaction that comes from using up scrap wood to create something useful. Take a look at all the scrap wood projects I have made so far:

~See more of Anika’s tutorials~

If you enjoyed this DIY clock tutorial, you will also love these clock projects:

Make Your Own Clock Chalkboard Sign:

DIY Clock using a Frame:

December 13, 2017/5 Comments/by Anika Gandhi

arts and craft, Decorating, Holiday decorating, Home Decor, wreath

Make an Elegant Holiday Wreath for Less than $20

Have you ever been in a home decor store and fell head over heels in love with a wreath only to gag at the $50 or more price tag? Put your wallet away, because today I want to show you how you can turn an inexpensive wreath into an Elegant Holiday Wreath for Less than $20! Who knows, you might already have one of these cheap wreaths and some of the supplies in storage — making your cost almost FREE!

Materials:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Instructions:

Remove anything you don’t want to keep from your store bought wreath. Fluff out the wreath by bending the branches to make it look larger and more full.

Grab your tree picks and decide where you want to place them on the wreath. Use strong wire cutters to cut off some of the length from the stems.

Curve the main branch of the tree pick so it mimics the curve of the wreath. Push the end of the stem under some of the wreath branches then back up so there is tension to hold the pick in place. Wrap some wreath branches around the entire pick to hold it firmly and disguise the stem. (If you are using heavier tree picks, you can secure them using floral wire.)

Repeat the process for the other tree picks. Leave a blank space at the top for the ribbon.

Time to add some color! Make a u-shape with some floral wire and push it through the top of an ornament. Place the ornament on the wreath. Wrap the floral wire around the wreath, twist the wire to secure from the backside of the wreath.

Evenly space the remaining ornaments, then attach with florist wire.

To complete the wreath, take a length of ribbon and loop it around the top of the wreath. You can tie a bow if that is your preference, but I prefer the simple look this year.