• Home
  • New? Start Here
  • About Diane
  • Contact
    • Advertise/Sponsors
    • Disclosure
  • FAQ’s
  • SHOP
  • Subscribe
  • Web Stories
  • SEARCH
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

In My Own Style

Top Budget DIY Home Decorating Blog + Creative Lifestyle Ideas + Tutorials.

  • Decorating
    • Spring & Easter Decorating
    • DIY Decorating Projects
    • Decorating Advice
    • Decorating Tips and Tricks
    • No-Sew Decorating Projects
    • Window Treatments
    • Home Improvement
    • Outdoor & Exterior
    • My Current Lake House
    • My Previous House
    • Summer & Patriotic Decorating
    • Fall Decorating Ideas
    • Christmas Decorating Projects & Ideas
  • Organizing
  • Room Makeovers
    • Kitchens
    • Living Rooms
    • Dining Rooms
    • Bedrooms
    • Bathrooms
    • Closets
  • DIY & Crafts
    • Gift Wrapping
    • Recycle, Reuse, Repurpose
    • Insta-Style
    • Free Fonts
    • Free Printables
    • DIY Projects With a Free Printable
  • Paint Anything
    • How to Paint Anything
    • How to Spray Paint FAQ’s
    • How to Paint FAQ’s Answered
    • Invaluable Painting Tips For the Home Decorator
    • Paint Recommendations for the DIY Decorator
  • Furniture Makeovers
    • DIY Faux Finishes
    • New to DIY Chalk Paint?
    • DIY Chalk Paint Recipes For Painting Furniture
    • DIY Chalk Painted Furniture Tutorials
    • Furniture Painting Tips
  • Lifestyle
    • Style Scouting
    • Travels
    • Entertaining
    • Table Settings
    • Recipes
    • Daily Life

Photo Frame Recipe Holder

September 9, 2014 · By Diane Henkler · 37 Comments

  • Share
  • Tweet

How to Make a Pedestal Photo Frame with two panes of glass to create a see through center for your photo or image. 

I am sharing a fun creative project. It is a knock-off DIY Photo Frame Recipe Holder that I made as a gift to give my younger sister, Laura.  It could also be used for your favorite photo if you don’t have a fave recipe.

Hallmark-Heirloom-Recipe-Holder

Earlier this summer, Laura gave me this Heirloom Recipe Holder for my birthday. She bought it at her local Hallmark. Since I have a twin sister, Laura needed to buy two and called around to every Hallmark store in the Philadelphia area until she found another one so she could give us both the same thing.

If you ever need to know what it is like to have identical twins as sisters – Laura is your girl for answers.  :-)

Hallmark-Heirloom-Recipe-Holder-knock-off-tutorial

Both my twin sister, Carol and I LOVED it, but what we loved even more than the recipe holder itself, was that Laura had the favorite family recipe in my Mother’s handwriting copied and placed in the decorative holder.

My mom passed away 4 years ago, so seeing this cherished recipe in her handwriting made the gift all the more special.

Kitchen-Recipe-Holder-to-make
Here is the one I made

I know it is still months away, but if you like to make holiday gifts to give your family and friends..this is perfect. You can make one for yourself and make a few to give as gifts this holiday season. It is never too early to get started on your holiday gift giving list.

Make-It--A-Favorite-Recipe-Holder

When I asked Laura if she got one for herself, she said she wanted one, but there were no more to be found.  I decided she needed one too and called all around, went online, and found that the holder was a limited edition Mother’s Day gift sold by Hallmark that they do not carry anymore. After looking at the holder in more detail, I knew I could make one for her using ready made wood parts sold at the craft store.  Above is the front of my version. It shows the ingredient list.

Backview-of-a-photo-frame-recipe-holder

Here is what it looks like from the back.  It has the steps needed to make the recipe.

I made this post photo-heavy so you can see each step up close.  It may seem like a lot, but since all the pieces used to make it are pre-made – there is not much more to do than cut, glue, and paint.

UPDATE:  Michaels now sells a similar pedestal photo frame. It is not exactly like the one I made, but if you don’t want to make it yourself, this is a good no DIY needed option. Here is the link:

Expressions Classic Pedestal Frame

How to Make a Pedestal Photo Frame Recipe Holder

supplies needed: 

I found all of the supplies at AC Moore in the wood crafting aisle.  Cost: Under $20.00. I used my coupons. Once you make one, you will be able to make a few for your friends in production line style very easily.

supplies-needed-to-make-a-recipe-photo-frame

  • 2 – Nicole Brand 5″ x 7″ wood frames with glass
  • 1 Wood Candle Holder  – 4″ high
  • 1 Acorn Dowel Cap 3/8″
  • 1 Walnut Hollow Wood Circle Item # 29057
  • 3 Balsa wood sticks – 3/16″ x 3″ / 16″ x 24″
  • 1 Balsa wood sheet – 3/16″ x 3″/ 16 x 24
  • 1 – 4″ diameter piece of felt
  • JB Weld Clear Weld Quick Setting Epoxy
  • Hot glue gun and glue stick
  • 1 – 2″ long finishing nail
  • Hammer
  • Spackle
  • 160 grit sandpaper
  • Chalk paint, 1 ” wide paint brush, and clear wax
  • Tack cloth
  • Scissors

Small-wood-projects-to-make

1. Remove the easels from the back of the frames. Carefully remove the glass from the frames and set aside.  Using a screwdriver, remove the easel holders and screws.

Measure-balsa-stick-to-size-of-frames

2. Lay one balsa wood square stick along bottom of frame and mark length with a pencil. Repeat for sides of frame so you have 3 cut sticks. You do not need one for the top since this is where the glass will go in and out when you want to change what is in the frame once it is assembled.

How-to-cut-wood-for-a-recipe-photo-frame

3. Cut the sticks with a miter box and saw or if you don’t have one, the sticks are very soft and can be cut with a craft knife or even wire cutters. Sand the cut edges to smooth.

Wood-gifts-to-make

4. You will need to cut more strips for each frame where the glass once sat. Cut 4 for each frame.

Layout-of-how-to-make-a-glass-on-both-sides-photo-frame

This is view of the cut sticks and where to place them. Cut the wide piece of balsa wood for the top last, so you can cut it to fit inside the frames once they are glued together. It is a removable piece and does not get glued to the frames.

How-to-make-a-photo-frame-stand

5. You only need to cut one set of sticks for the outer edge on the back of one frame. (Arrows: 1, 2, 3 ) You will need 4 sticks for the inside of both frames so that the back of the frames are level.  2 x 4=8 sticks.

Tutorial on photo frame making

6. Now you need to cut one last stick to place slightly overlapping the bottom inside frame. This is needed to stop the glass.  Note: I used 2 scrap pieces, but you can use one long piece as a stopping place for the glass.

Make-a-felt-table-protector

7. Place the wood circle on a piece of felt and trace around it. Cut out and set aside.

Tutorial-on-how-to-make-a-photo-recipe-holder

8. With a pair of pliers, screwdriver, or tiny crow bar type tool,  turn the metal insert in the candle cup to the inside of the cup.  I could not remove it, so I just pushed it inside.

Gift-ideas-to-make-for-foodies

9. Fill the cup with hot glue. You want to create a level surface on the top of the candle holder. Let dry.  Use quick setting wood epoxy to attach the candle holder to the wood circle; let dry.  If needed, use Q-Tips to clean up glue around the edge of the candle holder base.

Drill-hole-in-top-of-knob

10. Drill a hole in the wood acorn.

Knob-Top-of-photo-frame

11. Using a 1 -1/2″ finishing nail, hammer the acorn into the center top edge of the wide piece of balsa wood.  Use a nail punch to drive the nail head beneath the top of the acorn. Fill nail hole and the hole on the underside of the acorn with Spackle, wood filler, or paintable caulk.

How-to-make-a-sandwiched-glass-photo-frame

12. The wide balsa wood piece cut for the top also needs to be cut lengthwise to fit into the sandwiched frames so that is is even with the top of the frames once it is placed inside.  It is really soft wood and can be easily cut with a craft knife.  Cut 1/4″ off the length.  I penciled a line and used a ruler to run my craft knife along to make a straight cut.

Sanding-wood-technique

13. Sand the sides of the wood with 100 grit sandpaper to thin it out so it will fit into the holder once it is assembled.  It only takes a few minutes since the wood is so soft. Round the top edges slightly so that taking the piece in and out of the holder when needed is easy.

Make-a-Hallmark-Heirloom-Recipe-Holder-to-give-as-handmade-holiday-gifts

Sand all the pieces with 220 grit sandpaper to smooth. Use a tack cloth to clean away the grit before painting. Now you are ready to assemble the pieces. The long piece of balsa wood with the acorn is a removable piece of the completed holder and will not be glued to the frames.

DIY-small-frames-for-photo

14. Line up the two frames on a flat surface and glue them together with quick drying epoxy. Let dry.

Favorite-Recipe-photo-frame-holder-before-paint

15. Once glue on frames is dry, use the epoxy to attach them to the top of the candle holder. Make sure the opening of the frame is at the top.  Use a lot of glue and hold frames in place for a minute or two.  Wipe away excess glue. Let dry on a level surface.

Handmade-gift-giving-ideas

16. Use Spackle, wood filler, or paintable caulk to fill in any holes or mismatched edges. Let dry and sand smooth. Prime or use chalk paint to paint the holder, let dry. Add a second coat, let dry. Note:  See the opening at the top of the sandwiched frames – this is where the glass and the acorn topper piece will go in.

How-to-use-antiquing-glaze-on-wood-furniture-and-accessories

17. If you want to distress the holder, use 160 grit sandpaper along a few edges. If you want to darken the distressing, wipe antiquing glaze over the distressed edges and then…

Tips-on-how-to-use-antiquing-glaze-on-chalk-painted-wood

… quickly wipe it away with a damp paper towel.

18. Attach cut circle of felt to the bottom with an even coat of glue.

To Insert Glass into Assembled Photo Frame Recipe Holder:

How-to-make-a-see-through-photo-frame-for-displaying-photos-and-recipes

Cut out recipe front and back to size.

Sandwiched-glass-in-a-photo-frame

Use a roll of tape in between the papers to hold them together.  Hold the two pieces of glass together and place in top of holder. Place the acorn topper in the top of the holder to close the center section.

Knock-off-of-a-Hallmark-Heriloom-Recipe-Holder

When you want to change the recipe or photo, simply remove the acorn topper piece and then hold one side of the glass with your thumb and the other side with your index finger. Push up to remove.

How-to-make-a-decorative-recipe-card-holder-

I hope my sister loves it.  XO

Recipe-Holder Photo Frame step by step photo tutorial

SaveSave

  • Share
  • Tweet

Filed Under: Craft Projects, DIY & Crafts, DIY Chalk Painted Furniture, Gift Giving Ideas, Tutorials

Subscribe
Inspiration In Your Inbox

Inspiration In Your Inbox!

Get my latest posts, insider tips and more by email.

And don't worry, no spam and you can unsubscribe anytime.


« Late Summer Gazpacho
Featured in BHG Christmas Ideas »

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. Carole says

    08/17/2019 at 2:42 pm

    I love this! I lost my mother when I was 15, and I have a few of her handwritten recipes that this would work out great for.

    Reply
    • Diane Henkler says

      08/17/2019 at 3:43 pm

      Hi Carole – So sorry to hear you lost your mom at such a young age. I made the recipe card holder 5 years ago to give to my sister. She is so happy to have one, too like she gave my sister and I. I know Michaels sells 4 x 6 frames very similar if you didn’t want to make one. Here is the link to it: http://bit.ly/31KV4mO

      Reply
  2. Carole says

    01/24/2019 at 8:10 pm

    Hi Diane and thank you for the wonderful DIY project. I LOVE IT and will give it a try.
    My daughter said to me when I showed her your post ” Mom you can just copy the recipe to your phone; you don’t need something like this to take up counter space. I had to laugh because the newer generations just don’t get it, do they?

    You inspire me every time you post these types of projects and I always enjoy seeing what you come up with. All my best to you, Carole

    Reply
    • Diane Henkler says

      01/25/2019 at 11:27 am

      Hi Carole –

      Reading your comment about your daughter’s reaction to you liking the frame made me smile. I agree, they just done’t get it sometimes. :-) Since I made the frame quite a few years ago, I know that Michaels sells one now that is similar. Plus, it comes in a few different colors. You might want to check it out. Here is the link to it: http://bit.ly/2UaVUFQ

      Thanks for reading my blog.

      Reply
  3. chantal says

    10/06/2017 at 10:00 am

    Great inspiring idea! Thank you.

    Reply
  4. linda says

    04/30/2017 at 8:56 pm

    you can also use 6000 glue and it holds wonderfully; I use it for all my projects and outside projects

    Reply
  5. Toni says

    03/28/2017 at 9:07 am

    Diane- I don’t know how I missed this post when it came out but I just love this recipe holder! What a wonderful way to display special family recipes. I think I’ll give it a try!

    Reply
    • Diane Henkler says

      03/28/2017 at 10:22 am

      Hi Toni – The recipe holder would look wonderful in your kitchen. I am sure you have quite a few favorite recipes from your mom that would make you happy to see in your kitchen. Making it at first may seem hard, but once you understand how the pieces all go together, it is pretty easy to make. AC Moore has the best small wood parts. If I remember the store layout, I think the parts are on an end cap in the front left hand corner of the Montgomeryville store.

      Reply
  6. Susanne says

    06/01/2015 at 12:36 pm

    Dear Diane,
    I’m from Germany, my English is not the best one, but I want to say: I love your creative work!!!
    You’re an amazing woman!
    Now I’ve got a question, how does it work, that the two glasses in the recipe-holder hold together?
    And how does the paper hold between the glasses, that it don’ slide down?
    It will be nice, when I get an answer from you!
    Lovely greetings from Germany
    Susanne

    Reply
    • Diane Henkler says

      06/03/2015 at 1:09 pm

      Hi Susanne – Your English is great. I love hearing from readers from different countries. The glass is held up by two small pieces of wood on the inside of the frame. The two-pieces of glass are close enough together that they just hold the paper in place. The way I place the paper in is to take one piece of glass out of the frame and center your paper on it, then place it in the frame. If you have two pieces, you can glue them together back to back. This makes the paper a bit thicker and can help to hold the paper in place, too.

      Reply
  7. Red says

    10/20/2014 at 5:44 am

    Good stuff! I am loving this lil’ project and will certainly be making some for myself and others. Thanks so much!

    Reply
  8. Sheryll & Critters. says

    09/27/2014 at 9:24 am

    I love the sentiment and well you did a most fantastic job of duplicating this gift for your sweet sister. It is fitting that she have one also. How wonderful.

    Reply
  9. Helen Henkler says

    09/12/2014 at 10:47 pm

    Your projects are always spot-on, Diane and I know a few people who’d love this. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  10. Linda says

    09/12/2014 at 8:51 am

    I love this knock off. I am going to see if Meg, my youngest want to give it a try. She is becoming quite the DYI’er! As always, great helpful photo are appreciated very much. Happy weekend, Linda

    Reply
  11. Hammersmith Rubbish Removal | Margeret says

    09/12/2014 at 3:05 am

    Totally love the vintage look of the frame, Diane. Thanks for sharing this wonderful project!

    Reply
  12. Vanessa says

    09/11/2014 at 8:40 pm

    This is great idea and I love to make these and give them out as gifts for sure.

    Reply
  13. Bettsi says

    09/11/2014 at 12:45 am

    Gorgeous! What a wonderful gift idea and I love the idea of making it myself.

    Reply
  14. Kim G says

    09/10/2014 at 7:24 pm

    Will you adopt me as a sister?!!!! Your’s looks so awesome. None of my big box craft stores have a very good selection of wood items, but I can usually find something online at Amazon. I think I need to try to make one for myself, then if I do a good job, I will make one for my mom and sister. Thank you for sharing all of the deets, I just love it.

    Reply
  15. Gina says

    09/10/2014 at 12:17 pm

    This is so cute, your sister is going to love it. Being a recipe person, this is perfect for me. Will have to see if I can find the supplies at Michaels, I don’t have a wood store near me.
    -Gina-

    Reply
    • Diane Henkler says

      09/10/2014 at 12:30 pm

      Thanks Gina – The Michaels store by me does not have a great selection of wood pieces. AC Moore has a wide selection. I don’t have a Hobby Lobby near me, but they may carry all of it also. You may be able to get the products online. If not, an old fashioned hobby store would have the long square wood sticks and balsa wood pieces. I will do a search online to see if I can find all the supplies. If I do I will place the links into the post.

      Reply
      • Gina says

        09/10/2014 at 12:47 pm

        We do have a brand new Hobby Lobby will check them first. I do use online sources often since I live pretty far out. Thanks Diane.

        Reply
  16. Christianne says

    09/10/2014 at 11:41 am

    Excellent duplication Diane. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  17. Jill says

    09/10/2014 at 11:24 am

    Wow! It’s great and what a wonderful gift idea. You give some of the best tutorials of any blog I read. Well done!

    Reply
  18. Joanne B. says

    09/10/2014 at 11:10 am

    I love your version even better! Mostly I love the idea and the sentiment behind this- how lovely to know your Mom is in the kitchen with you and your sisters. I have one of my mom’s old teaspoons from the flatware set from when I was growing up. Every morning ‘we’ have coffee together and it literally starts my day with a nod from Mom. Love this and love your style.

    Reply
  19. [email protected] Interior Frugalista says

    09/10/2014 at 10:22 am

    I love this Diane and appreciate the easy to follow tutorial! I have recipes written by my late Grandmother and my Mother who suffers from Alzheimers. This would make perfect gifts for my sisters. Thank you for the inspiration!

    Reply
  20. Chris says

    09/10/2014 at 9:54 am

    I absolutely LOVE this Diane! I cherish my Nana’s recipes and there is something so wonderful about seeing them in her handwriting. I can’t wait to make one of these for myself. Thanks for another fabulous idea! :)

    Reply
  21. Linda says

    09/10/2014 at 9:14 am

    Wow!! Lovely work of art!! I Love it and I’m sure your sister will as well…..
    Thanks for the tutorial.

    Reply
  22. Jan says

    09/10/2014 at 9:13 am

    Very cool! And now I’m hungry for some chicken bott boi — love those Pennsylvania Dutch noodles (that’s for all the poor deprived folks who are scratching their heads about bott boi).

    Reply
  23. Leslie @ House on the Way says

    09/10/2014 at 8:28 am

    Absolutely LOVE it! Great job!

    Reply
  24. Linda says

    09/10/2014 at 8:22 am

    Amazing and so very creative! I love the sentiment behind your thoughtful gift to your sister.

    Reply
  25. Lynn says

    09/10/2014 at 7:34 am

    Very nice! Putting this on my to-do list! Thanks so much!

    Reply
  26. Vicki v says

    09/10/2014 at 7:28 am

    Amazing, Diane. I love it! You are so incredibly talented.

    Reply
  27. Jo @ Let's Face the Music says

    09/10/2014 at 6:55 am

    Your version actually looks better than the original – more quality detail. Great job. Jo @ Let’s Face the Music

    Reply
  28. [email protected] the Moments.net says

    09/10/2014 at 12:26 am

    It turned out lovely. I would love to do this with a girls club I started a year ago. And if not with them, make gifts for family members.

    Reply
  29. valarie says

    09/09/2014 at 11:46 pm

    Genius, pure genius Diane, thank you so much!

    Reply
  30. Carole says

    09/09/2014 at 11:38 pm

    Diane, is there anything you can’t replicate? This is amazing and I plan to make several of these frames for my sibs at Christmas time (even though we don’t exchange presents anymore). I have all of my late mom’s recipes in her own handwriting too so this is a wonderful way to share them with my family. Just making a copy of one of her recipes has never seemed like enough. Thank you for this idea and tutorial.

    Reply
  31. Sharon H says

    09/09/2014 at 11:30 pm

    Aaah, there is no doubt that she will love it!

    Reply
Diane Henkler Blogger In My Own Style
I love all things creative, colorful, and DIY. It is just the way my brain is wired. I can't add 2+2 to save my life, but I can help you decorate your home in a style that you will love...YOURS! LEARN MORE
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

search

my shop page

Search

Categories

Follow Me

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Disclosure

Some of the links on this blog are affiliate links. InMyOwnStyle.com receives a small commission when certain items are purchased, but the price is the same for you. InMyOwnStyle.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

 

 

Copyright © 2021 In My Own Style, Diane Henkler