Normally I wouldn’t suggest hanging crooked frames. Off center and wonky generally drives me up the wall – but in this case it’s a very good thing. I saw the idea in a PB catalog, and knew that I could achieve the same look with some thrift store frames.
I went to Goodwill and bought a bunch of frames, all in different shapes and sizes (but all rectangular) – the most important part was that the sticker was the 1/2 off color of the day, the whole lot was only about $10. I also used my favorite decorating weapon – Krylon in flat black.
I took out all the insides, so I could spray paint all the frames the same color.
The end of spray painting season is coming all too quickly… I’m gonna miss a quick coat of the magical stuff! While the frames were drying, I started working on the art stuffs to go in them.
I wanted to reuse the “guts” of one of the frames, but the mat on the photo had a green inner mat. I took a fine point marker and colored it in black – whole new look to recycled mat.
I knew I wanted to vary the looks, so some of the frames were filled with coffee stained book pages – and others were filled with graphics from my buddy Karen at Graphics Fairy. I just printed them and framed them up – instant art!
Once the frames were all dry and put back together, I knew that I’d need a way to hang them crooked. I originally thought I’d fill the frames and then use a nail gun to attach them all together. Then I realized that I never have enough art and it would be much better for my budget to figure out how to reuse the frames. So, I cut strips of felt and put them on the back of each frame with hot glue, then put hangers in the wrong spots to make them hang right (was that as clear as mud?) I intentionally chose spots on the back of the frames to put the hangers so that they’d hang wonky.
I hung the bottom layer with small paneling nails, just like you’d normally hang a photo. Then, I used screws to hang the top layer, so that I could make them stick out past the bottom layer frames.
Some of the frames were a little too wonky. They fell too far on the bottom towards the wall
I rolled up a bit of felt and hot glued the “tail” of it down.
Then I used it as a sort of stop to hold the photo out. I just tucked it right in there and it holds great 🙂
And once you’ve got all the frames filled, screws and nails all up and everything put in place, just enjoy your crooked frames. Well, unless you wanna add a little more to them… but you can see that in my Halloween Mantle reveal post on Friday 🙂
Okio B Designs says
October 6, 2011 at 2:15 amTotally want to try that too!
Jeanine
gail says
October 6, 2011 at 2:17 amfunny frames!
thanks for hosting!
gail
Rosemary@villabarnes says
October 6, 2011 at 2:21 amThanks for hosting, Gina. The frames are spooky and spectacular.
Colleen says
October 6, 2011 at 2:25 amLove the “wonky” frames! Perfect for Halloween.
The Corson Cottage says
October 6, 2011 at 2:29 amThanks for hosting Gina! Can’t wait to see what everyone has been up to this week:) Carrie
Brooke Kenny says
October 6, 2011 at 2:32 amThank you for hosting us!
Brooke from babblingsandmore.blogspot.com
Katie says
October 6, 2011 at 2:53 amThose frames are so fun!! Thanks for hosting Gina!!
Deneen@dreaming-n-color says
October 6, 2011 at 2:56 amLeaving you a than you on the iPad. Lord knows how the words will get turned around lol. Thanks for the link and party.
Kelli @ The Turquoise Piano says
October 6, 2011 at 3:04 amLOVE the crooked frames! Great idea. Thanks for hosting!
Messy Roost says
October 6, 2011 at 3:14 amThank you for hosting such a great party. I really love the frames.
Rhonda
Debra @ Common Ground says
October 6, 2011 at 3:21 amLove the frames, so creative!! Thanks for the party, just linked up!
Shannon at madiganmade says
October 6, 2011 at 3:31 amLove your wonky frames! They are fun. (graphics fairy has some great fall prints, too!)
Thanks for hosting!
Kerry Rossow says
October 6, 2011 at 3:33 amThe frames are adorable, I mean spooky!
Thank you for hosting!
Kerry at housetalkn.blogspot.com
Leanne says
October 6, 2011 at 3:42 amThanks for hosting. The frames are so cool! I love how yours turned out.
Dusty Coyote says
October 6, 2011 at 4:03 amThanks for hosting! What a bash that was last week. These frames are so fun, I don’t know how you find the time.
Amy H. says
October 6, 2011 at 4:07 amThose crooked frames are awesome! Thanks for hosting!
Jessica @ Sunny Tuesday says
October 6, 2011 at 5:15 amLove it! I snuck over to Graphics Fairy myself this week! 🙂
Alicia @ Sweet Ava Kate says
October 6, 2011 at 5:19 amI just linked up! Thanks for hosting! Love the frames!
Erin Downs says
October 6, 2011 at 5:31 amThis comment has been removed by the author.
Erin {Lavender and Lemon Drops} says
October 6, 2011 at 5:32 amWOW congrats on last weeks link party! Love your cute frames. I have a gallery wall that I spookified for Halloween and the OCD in me is also having a hard time with the crooked frames 😉 Hang in there…. it’s only for one month! Thanks for hosting!
Mammy Made says
October 6, 2011 at 7:51 amWow! I love that, it looks great!
Sewandthecity says
October 6, 2011 at 9:08 amLove the frames idea! Really cool! Thanks for hosing a lovely party, I always find a lot of inspiration here.
andrea says
October 6, 2011 at 10:24 amHi Gina. Your crooked frames are pretty neat. The thrift stores by me have upped their frames prices b/c us ladies have been clearing them out! Thank goodness I have a stockpile. Thank you for hosting this week and…your party is ROCKIN’!!! Look at all the attendees! andrea@townandprairie
Heidiopia says
October 6, 2011 at 11:08 amLove your take on this project, Gina! Thanks for breaking it down. 🙂 Linking up for the first time today ~ so glad I found your blog!
Heidi @ Show some Decor
Erin says
October 6, 2011 at 11:42 amThank you for hosting….your picture frame display turned out great – very fun!
Thanks again.
janet says
October 6, 2011 at 11:44 amHappy Thursday Gina!
Thanks for letting me share my Chalk Paint whole room makeover…enjoy the day!
janet xox
http://theemptynest-janet.blogspot.com/
Heather {Simply Cottage Love} says
October 6, 2011 at 12:10 pmIncredible! Heading over to Graphics Fairy to check her out! Love your creativity- as always an inspiration! I’ve got to add you to Simply Cottage Love’s Pinterest Board and shout from the rooftops (okay, okay… it just
Simply Cottage Love’s Face Book Page ) but still! I love it!
Christine says
October 6, 2011 at 12:23 pmThanks for hosting Gina! Your tutorials are fantastic…
Hollie - TheSevenYearCottage says
October 6, 2011 at 12:26 pmLove the wall of crooked frames… thanks for hosting!
-Kelsey Coghill says
October 6, 2011 at 12:33 pmThose crooked frames are awesome! & you’d never have to worry about straightening them up 🙂
Thanks for sharing & hosting this awesome party!!
Sharon, aka Bootersmom03 says
October 6, 2011 at 1:04 pmI Love your frame project! I have a hard time getting anything straight, so that is right up my alley! Thanks for hosting!
Curtains In My Tree says
October 6, 2011 at 1:10 pmYou did have a lot of people join in last week you are so popular
love seeing all the great ideas and talent
those frames are great
Jenni says
October 6, 2011 at 1:20 pmThanks for hosting and hoppy cleaning!
HUGS~
Jenni
Vanessa says
October 6, 2011 at 2:21 pmHi, Gina
I just love looking around your blog. I am a new follower. Thank you for hosting a link party.
Vanessa
Colleen @ MuralMaker&More says
October 6, 2011 at 2:50 pmHey Gina! I meant to say hi before this. I’m a fellow 31-Dayer. Whew! I know, I know – it’s only Day 6, but I signed up for paint projects – EASY paint projects, but still that’s 31 of ’em!
Obviously someone didn’t think this thru too good :p. Thanks for hosting. I’m enjoying your 31 projects!
Nicole says
October 6, 2011 at 3:02 pmGreat idea with the crooked frames. So fun and whimsical. They look fantastic!
Andrea @Oasis Accents says
October 6, 2011 at 4:25 pmHi Gina! First off..Thanks for hosting. I love the wonky frames and that you actually said wonky. It’s one of my favorites =)
Shabby Marilyn says
October 6, 2011 at 4:54 pmThanks for hosting, I also saw the frames and loved them, you know how you put it on your list to do!
You did it and it came out great!
Carmie of the Single Nester says
October 6, 2011 at 5:24 pmHow fun for Halloween! Great job!
Stylebaggage says
October 6, 2011 at 5:43 pmGreat job the frame collection replica! Good idea to go to a thrift store for the cheap frames. You should head over to http://knockoffdecor.com/christmas-bulb-tillandsia-terrarium/ and share your project with Beckie. Her blog is about “knockoffs”.
Katie says
October 6, 2011 at 5:53 pmLove your halloween frames! Thanks for hosting!
Kim @ Cheap Chic Home says
October 6, 2011 at 7:42 pmYour crooked frames are so cool. Thanks for the tutorial.
Shannon says
October 6, 2011 at 11:13 pmThey turned out SO great Gina!!!
xo,
Shannon
Casa De Luna says
October 7, 2011 at 2:53 amYour crooked frames do look a little spooky and fun!
kayla says
October 7, 2011 at 4:40 pmThese frames are fabulous, and you could totally re-use them for different seasons! So fun!
Mary says
October 7, 2011 at 7:09 pmThanks for hostessing the fun linky party – I’ve got your button 🙂
Mary @ Redo 101
Colleen Michalec says
October 6, 2016 at 10:37 amYou are a creative genius! I was trying to fill my blank wall for Halloween and voila! I came across your Pinterest! I’m so excited! Thank you so much for sharing your idea!
Gina Luker says
October 6, 2016 at 2:58 pmYou are so sweet Colleen, thank you!