Cottage Slat Picture Frame

By: Amanda Formaro from craftsbyamanda.com

The Cottage Slat Picture Frame is a darling Mother's Day gift idea. Your mother will love the handmade quality and the sentimentality of this craft. The slats made by the popsicle sticks look like the rustic siding of a cottage, which makes it a simple yet pretty gift. This craft would be simple enough for kids, though you may have to do a few of the steps that require the scissors or wire cutter for younger children. Whether you are making this picture frame for Mother's Day, Christmas, or another occasion, the recipient will love your thoughtful gift.

Primary TechniquePainting

Easy

Materials:

Flat wooden frame
Craft sticks
White craft glue
Scissors or small wire cutters
Craft paint: white and light brown
Sandpaper

Instructions:

To determine how many craft sticks you will need, lay your frame on the work surface and cover it with craft sticks. Add 3 or 4 more so that you have extra.
Lay all the craft sticks out onto a piece of cardboard or foam core board. Paint the sticks with a coat of light brown paint (I used Americana, color = Driftwood)
When dry, add a coat of white (I used Americana, color = White Wash). Add 1-2 more coats, enough to cover so that the brown no longer shows through. Allow them to dry completely.
Use scissors or wire cutters to cut the rounded ends off the craft sticks.
Glue the sticks to the frame in whatever pattern is pleasing to you. For one frame I kept all of the pieces the same size and only trimmed the ones
that went around the photo window. For the other frame I cut the sticks into varying lengths, which of course takes more time and attention. Let the glue dry overnight.
Use a piece of sandpaper to rough up the edges, removing some of the white paint exposing the brown beneath it. Sand harder at the corners and edges, exposing the bare wood beneath it.

Make every day Earth Day with our free printable eBook, Recycled Craft Ideas: Easy Crafts to Make with Recycled Materials. Discover ways to reuse materials such as wood, fabric and even popsicle sticks. Get your copy now.

More Fabulous Craft Ideas for You

As editors for an arts & crafts website, we love recommending new craft projects for our readers. For those of you who enjoy creating Cottage Slat Picture Frames, we have some great project ideas to inspire your next creation.

For readers who have mastered the art of Cottage Slat Picture Frames and are looking to expand their skills, we recommend trying your hand at creating a matching set of frames to display as a gallery wall in your home. You can experiment with different sizes, shapes, and colors to create a cohesive and eye-catching display.

If you enjoy making Cottage Slat Picture Frames as gifts for friends and family, consider personalizing your frames with meaningful quotes, photos, or embellishments. You can also try incorporating different materials, such as fabric or metal accents, to add a unique touch to your creations.

For readers looking to craft seasonal or occasion-specific projects, consider creating Cottage Slat Picture Frames that reflect the current season or holiday. For example, you could decorate frames with fall leaves and pumpkins for Thanksgiving, or with pastel flowers and eggs for Easter.

Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, there are endless possibilities for creating beautiful and personalized Cottage Slat Picture Frames. Let your creativity shine and enjoy the process of bringing your vision to life. Happy crafting!