Cheap, Easy Wall Art

If you spend about 15 minutes talking with me, you'll probably learn that I have a slight addiction to two stores: Ikea, and Trader Joe's. If you live in an area that doesn't have either of those, I feel for you. Especially if you don't have Trader Joe's (sorry, Montana). One of my favorite Trader Joe's products is not actually not a food item, but their 99 cent greeting cards. The cards are very artful and often printed on nice, heavy weight cardstock. I started collecting them years ago, stocking up on favorite designs once I realized they don't stock 'em indefinitely, and now I've got a healthy stash ready to go whenever a birthday, baby shower, wedding, or graduation comes up. When I was pregnant, I found a card that fit perfectly with the nursery decor and decided to frame it. 

I used the Ikea VIRSERUM frame (see note above about my minor Ikea addiction), which cost only about $5. Obviously, though, you could use any frame that fits a 5x7 inch card. I did the same for a couple of other cards with quotes I love, and colors and design that coordinate well with the rest of my home, and incorporated them as part of a large display of family photos. Check it out:

The frame with the butterfly card is from Target, and it used to be black. Rather than buy a new frame, I just spray painted it white to better match the rest of my frames. All of the "art pieces" in these frames are simple greeting cards from Trader Joe's.

I realize it's pretty self explanatory, but in case you like specific directions, here is how I put these together.

Find a card you like, preferably one that coordinates with your home decor, and makes you happy with a fetching image and/or inspiring quote. Then, find a frame that fits the card. Could have a mat, doesn't have to. If it doesn't have a mat, just pop your card in the frame and be done. Simple. If it has a mat, you'll want to grab some tape and a letter opener or flathead screwdriver, and follow these instructions. 

Remove the backing from your frame. Ikea frames don't have those fancy little screw tab things to hold the backing in, just tiny metal tabs that you have to bend 90 degrees upright in order to get the backing out. Do yourself a favor, folks: don't fu screw up your manicure on a $5 frame. Put that letter opener or flathead screwdriver to use and pry those puppies up.

Next, tear off a piece of tape, about an inch will do, and attach it to the back of your card at the top, sticky side up, extending about halfway off the edge of the card. Do the same at the bottom of the card. (Note: I did this on the very back of the card, but it may actually be a little easier to do this on the inside of the front flap of the card, so the tape is only covering one layer of cardstock rather than two.)

Lay your card face up on a table or other sturdy surface, and position your mat over the card until it lines up exactly where you want it. Press your mat down and massage that thing right into the sticky tape, top and bottom.

Put the mat, with the card now taped to it, back into the frame, and double check that the tape is secure. Trust me, you don't want to hang this on the wall and have to take it off later because the picture slipped, all because you got lazy about the tape. Don't question me, just tape it.

Put the backing back into the frame, push the tabs back over the backing, and bam: beautiful, cheap wall art. Use it to decorate your office, home, or man cave. Impress your friends with your creativity, frugality, and amazing taste, you classy person, you. Better yet, go the free route and frame a card someone wrote in and gave to you already. Chalk it up to your sentimental side (I won't tell what a cheapskate you really are.) Try it out and share your creations in the comments!