Origami Photo Frame

Last week we made some Origami Photo Frames. These look tricky at first, but are really easy and addictive!

Materials

·       4 sheets of 6” x 6” patterned paper

·       White Cardstock

·       Multipurpose Liquid Glue

Equipment

·       Paper Trimmer

·       Bone Folder

Instructions

To make this frame, you fold four pieces of 6” x 6” patterned paper and then glue the pieces together. The opening for the photo is around 3¼" square. You can use all the same patterned paper, or all different or any combination. Note, though, that BOTH sides of each sheet will be visible in the finished item, so choose patterned paper that has complimentary colouring/designs on the back. Also, if the images are directional (i.e. should go in one direction, e.g. trees) then make sure that it will look OK with some being sideways and upside down.

1.      Take one piece of patterned paper, place it so that the corner colour is face up (so it will be on the inside when you fold the paper), then fold opposite corners together to form a large triangle. Burnish with a Bone Folder

TIP: To get a perfect triangle: match the two corners together, press on the fold in the middle with your finger then use a Bone Folder to crease to the points.

  

2.      Open the patterned paper and take the right corner and fold it to the middle score line. Burnish the fold. If the paper is stiff and you can’t get that point pointy, you can ‘work’ it until it’s more pliable. It won’t be seen anyway.

  

  

3.      Turn the piece over and fold the corner piece up so that the centre score lines match up.

  

4.      Turn it over again and fold the right side into the centre (as in step 2).

  

5.      Then fold the left side over that piece and tuck the corner under the folded piece.

  

NOTE: It doesn’t really matter if the edges don’t all meet perfectly as you place that side at the back. In the photo above, the bottom corner isn’t even but it will be covered by another piece.

6.      Repeat with the other three pieces of patterned paper.

7.      Apply some Multipurpose Liquid Glue to the pointy end on the back (1” to 1½“) and slide it into the front of the corner of another piece. Line up the pieces so that the edge is straight. Repeat with all pieces.

  

  

8.      Cut White Cardstock 5¾“ x 5¾“ and tuck the corners into the frame corners on the back of the frame. This is not glued down. Any photo placed in the frame can be attached to this sheet with a bit of double-sided adhesive to keep it in place. You could add a piece of clear acetate as well, to protect the photo.

9.      Glue a piece of ribbon at the top inside the fold of the frame, or glue a couple of pieces of magnetic strip on the top corners on the back (of course).

10.  You can add a label and sentiment to the front, if desired.

This is made using a single sheet of 12" x 12" patterned paper

This uses two different pieces of patterned paper, positioned on opposite sides

This uses four different pieces of patterned paper

The ladies in the Craft Group made theirs using a single sheet of patterned paper (we have four Librans in our group and making decisions on things like patterned paper can take a while :) )

Heather made one for her cat

Amanda's is starry but she hasn't added a sentiment yet

Kieran made a couple of frames for Santa photos later in the year. This is the first one.

And this is Kieran's second one.

The frames are very quick to put together and there are so many different looks you can get with different patterned paper. Have a go.

Happy crafting.