DIY Network

Framing Documents as a Collage, Part 4 Attaching The Archival Pocket to the Frame From "Get Framed" episode DGFR-105

The framed family heirloom

In this project, expert framer Shahnaz LaCaze helps create a framed heirloom from family letters and documents In this final phase of the project, Shahnaz shows one final step to complete the project. With a few simple steps, she can camouflage the archival pocket on the back of the frame as a secret compartment to contain her mother's keepsake letters.

Materials:

frame (filled with artwork and finished with a dust cover in segment 3)
bump-ons
double-stick tape
decorative paper
mylar pocket (completed earlier)

advertisement

Steps:

1. Put the gloves back on when dealing with mylar. Take your mylar pocket and cut the top flap into a triangle-shaped flap (like the cover flap of an envelope.)

2. Cut a same-sized triangular piece from the decorative paper and attach to the mylar flap with double-stick tape (figure A). When the mylar envelope is closed, it should be mylar on the inside (keeping the letters preserved) and decorative paper on the outside(figure B).

Figure A

Figure B

3. Attach the back of the mylar pocket envelope to the back of the frame, making sure it is centered (figure C). Use double stick tape. The pocket opening should face out for easy access to the letters inside.

4. Cut one more square piece of paper to cover (camouflage) the mylar pocket and attach to the dust cover all around the pocket with double stick tape (figure D).

Figure C

Figure D

5. Slide a piece of foam core into the pocket and cut a slit into the top layer of the mylar pocket. (The foam core keeps you from slicing into the actual dust cover of the frame.) This will allow you to close the pocket envelope by sliding the opening flap into the slit (figures E, F and G).

Figure E

Figure F

Figure G

Figure H

6. Finally, add bumpons to the bottom corners of the piece to protect your wall and allow air to circulate around the piece, preventing mold (figure H). Bumpons are small, circular cushions that peel and stick to your frame corners. (If your back frame pocket will hold a lot of letters, you may want to add a couple more bumpons on top of each other to accommodate for the extra girth.)

7. Then step back and admire your keepsake documents in their new and archive-friendly display (figures I and J).

Figure I

Figure J

RESOURCES :

Amir Studio and Frame Gallery
www.amirframegallery.com

Jewel Box Platinum/Jewel Box Frames
www.jewelboxplatinum.com

Larson-Juhl Framing Supplies
www.larsonjuhl.com