Looking for a DIY photo gift idea? I have a thrifty one for you! Create this Instagram picture frame using a few basic supplies. This is a great beginner craft project and the perfect gift idea for husbands and grandparents. Make one for Father’s Day, Christmas, Valentine’s Day or any other gifting occasion.
My husband is not big on getting gifts, which makes it extra hard to buy gifts for him. He does appreciate sentimental gifts so when I was trying to dream up a gift idea for him a few months ago, I decided that a photo gift fit the bill. Since we recently had our first baby, I knew he’d enjoy some printed photos of her that he could display on his desk at work.
This Instagram picture frame turned out so cute that I’m only bummed IÂ didn’t make one for myself while I was at it. This DIY photo gift is a quick project to make and you probably have a lot of the supplies already!
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Make This DIY Photo Gift – It’s Easy!
You don’t need many supplies to create this Instagram picture frame. In fact, I already had everything on the list except the printed photos. I bet you have a lot of these supplies, too!
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Supply List
- 1×2 Pine Board (3 feet is plenty, I used scrap board I dug up in our garage)
- Thin Project Board (for backing)
- Wood Stain (this is a favorite of mine)
- Black Acrylic Paint
- Wood Screw Hooks
- 4”x4” Photos
- Hole Punch
- Saw (pretty much any saw will work for the few cuts you need – miter saw, miter box, circular saw, jigsaw)
- Brad Nailer (or a hammer and small nails would work)
- Sand Paper Or Palm Sander
- Rag For Stain
- Paint Brush
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Assemble & Stain The Frame
I really didn’t know how this frame would turn out, so I apologize for not taking many photos as I made it. #bloggerfail
The first step is to cut the 1×2 board down to size. I made this frame using two 10” boards and two 5” boards. A miter saw would make cutting the board super easy, but I don’t own one so I made do with my jigsaw.
Once you’ve cut the pieces, sand them smooth and rub on a coat of your favorite wood stain.
After the stain dries, clamp the pieces into a frame and nail together. I used my brad nailer, but you could also hammer in a couple small nails if you don’t own one.
Attach Hooks
Screw in two hooks along the top board (see picture). I placed my hooks 2.5” away from the inside edges. I used hooks like these.
Cut & Paint Backing
I used a thin piece of project board from Michaels for the backing since that’s what I had around the house. Any kind of thin board will work. Cut it to fit the backside of the frame, then sand it smooth and paint black.
Attach Backing
Nail the backing onto the wooden frame. I used my brad nailer for this.
Add Photos!
Did you know many photo places will actually print square photos for you these days? I had no idea! A lot of photo labs (both online and in stores) have started offering a square format which is perfect for printing all of your Instagram photos. The Fujifilm app made it easy to order these photos from our local Sam’s Club directly from my phone.
Once you’ve curated and printed a bunch of photos, punch a hole in the top center so you can hang them on the hooks of your Instagram picture frame.
Split your photos into two stacks and hang from the hooks! This DIY photo gift is perfect to display on your desk at work or home. I love the idea that you can rotate through the photos every day and continue adding new photos to the collection.
I don’t know about you, but I’m always wishing I printed more photos off of my phone. This Instagram picture frame is the perfect excuse to print all of those candid photos of your kids or selfies from your vacation.
I gave this to David a couple months ago and have made it a point to print a few new photos here and there for him to add to the collection. It’s a great way for him to display some family photos on his desk at work.
I hope you enjoyed this DIY photo gift idea! It’s such a simple project that can be made with minimal supplies – most of which you probably already have around the house. For just a few dollars in supplies and photo prints, you can create a beautiful Instagram picture frame for the person in your life who loves sentimental gifts.
Happy creating!
This post contains affiliate links. See my disclosure policy for more information.