Tri-Fold Frames
Difficulty: Average
Average User Rating:
;)
The Tri-Fold Frame was quick to make. The longest amount of time was drawing and cutting up the corrugated cardboard.
Parental supervision is recommended.
What you'll need:
- Corrugated cardboard
- White cardboard (similar to what is packaged with shirts)
- Funky & Fresh Sticker Paper (or decorative Con-Tact paper)
- Ruler
- Embossing Tool or pen without ink
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Craft knife (used by adults only!)
- Double-stick tape
- Small photos
How to make it:
- Cut a piece of corrugated cardboard measuring approximately 9" long x 2 1/2" tall.
- Measure and draw lines about 1/2" in from all sides. (You should have 4 lines.)
- From the far left line (it's 2" tall), measure to the right 2" and draw a line that is vertical. This will enclose the first window. (see Step 1)
- From the far right line (it's 2" tall), measure to the left 2" and draw a line that is vertical. This will enclose the third window. (see Step 1)
- For the middle window, measure in from the inside vertical line of the first window, 1 1/8" and draw another vertical line. Repeat from the third window and your middle window should be drawn up.
- Cut out the inside of each window on the lines. (see Step 1) Use either scissors or a craft knife.
- Draw a vertical line (evenly spaced) between each window to become the fold line.
- Score and cut through ONE layer of the cardboard only on the fold line.
- Trace around the outside and inside of the cardboard on the back side of the Fresh & Funky Sticker Paper. Note: Be sure to center the frame on the middle of the paper.
- Draw a line 1/2" around the outside of the outside line on the wallpaper.
- On the inside rectangle of each window, draw a straight line from one corner to the next to create an X. This creates a cutting line so you can fold the paper to the inside of the frame. (see Step 2)
- Cut on the outside line to remove any excess paper.
- Cut on the X in each window. Note: Do not cut anything out of the inside. You may cut off the tips of the triangles if the tabs are too long to fold to the inside. (see Step 2)
- Remove the paper backing off the Fresh & Funky Sticker Paper.
- Lay the cardboard on the wallpaper in the center, with the scored/cut edges down, matching up windows.
- Pull one triangle flap through a window and adhere to the cardboard. Repeat for other 3 flaps and other 2 windows. (See step 2)
- Take one outside corner of the Fresh & Funky paper and fold over the corner of the cardboard. Press the corner flat. (Note: You are just folding the corners in first and then will finish by folding in each of the 4 sides.)
- Repeat for other 3 corners.
- Fold the sides of the paper onto the cardboard and press flat.
- Cut a piece of white cardboard to fit the back of the frame. Note: This may need to be trimmed down a bit after adhering in place.
- Score the frame by using a embossing tool or a pen that has run out of ink. You do not cut through the cardboard, but make an impression in it so the frame can fold.
- Have the child autograph and date the back of the frame.
- Wrap the frame up in either another piece of wallpaper or their own creative wrapping paper. See tips area below for links to our favorite wrapping paper crafts.
Tips:
Visit our Wrapping Paper, Bags, and Gift Tags for ideas on ways to wrap your gift.
