Cereal box picture frames!

Last week Kristen and I spent our Thursday girl's night in marble painting. For those who aren't familiar, the term is pretty self-explanatory. You take marbles and drop them in different colors of paint, and place a sheet of paper inside a decently sized box top. I used a printer paper box lid, and recommend taping the back of the paper to the box to prevent it from sliding. Place the marbles in the box lid with a spoon and let your child shift the box to move the marbles across the paper. The result is a beautiful abstract piece any kid will be proud to see in his/her room.

Of course, I couldn't just let this masterpiece be push-pinned up on her wall... :)

As luck would have it, Kristen finished off the last of a box of cereal this morning. Noticing it in the recycle box after work, I realized that it was about the same size as her picture. Then it hit me: picture frame.

Some of you may be fortunate enough to have the bigger sized cereal boxes and don't have the same size issue that I did, but if you don't, you're about to see my efforts.

The box I had was long enough, but about 2 inches short in width. In order to make this work as a frame, I had to cut the box into sections. Luckily, the sides of the box were the perfect length to use as the base and top of the frame. I used the front panel of the box to cut two more sections for the sides of the frame. To keep the pieces together, I wrapped the corners in clear packing tape:

On a side note, I do not recommend this particular cereal. I will try the generic versions of cereals, and many of them are the same in taste and much cheaper, but this one is no substitute for brand name Honey Bunches of Oats.

I considered wrapping the frame in fabric, but I lacked the bright and happy colors that my daughter loves. I pulled out my arsenal of scrapbook paper and had Kristen pick her favorite pattern. For this part, I highly recommend an X-acto knife. I was so caught up in the project that I neglected to get a picture, but the process is fairly simple. Lay the paper over the frame (box pattern side up) and flip them over together. Use the X-acto knife to cut the paper to fit the frame. Use your packing tape to attach the paper to the frame. Place your child's picture on the back of the frame and attach it with (you guessed it) more packing tape. (You can opt for Scotch tape or something less permanent if you want to reuse the frame for their other creations).

And voila! Lovely abstract artwork with a neat personalized frame. This one is hanging above her dresser, which I have a feeling will soon become a miniature art gallery.