It's the night before a birthday/Christmas, and you want to give a handmade gift which holds meaning to you and your giftee. What do you do?!? There's no time!
Ahem. This is when I step in with my 10 minute Foil Photo Frame.
It's really simple, but you can make it unique and meaningful.
And it's SHINY! :D

Step 1: What Is Requiredï¼

- A photo
- Cardboard, thicker box cardboard is probably better. Enough to cover the photo with a border twice, and then some more extra.
- Scissors or a utility/stanley/craft knife. Sharp is preferable, unless you want to spend more than 10 mins cutting cardboard.
- Ruler
- Pencil
- An old ballpoint pen that has no more ink in it, or any other similar writing implement that will not mark aluminium foil, and is not sharp enough to tear it.
- Craft glue
- Standard kitchen aluminium foil (I believe it's also called aluminum foil?)

And anything else that you think you want to use to decorate your frame with.

Step 2: Cut the Cardboard

Measure your photo, then add 2cm (about 4/5 inch) around all sides. Draw this rectangle out on your cardboard and cut.
Then add about 10cm (4inches) to the length of that rectangle, and cut out this new rectangle. (I only added 7cm, and I later realised this isn't quite enough >.<) So now you'll have 2 rectangles of cardboard, one longer than the other. Bend the longer rectangle at the 10cm mark, like in the photos.

Step 3: Create the Frame

Take the shorter piece of cardboard and mark a rectangle within the rectangle 2.5cm in from the sides (1 inch).
Cut the inner rectangle out, and put that aside (you won't need it again for this project).
Tada! You have a frame now!
Now cut a rectangle of aluminium foil that's big enough to cover the frame. Try not to crinkle it! Place the cardboard frame in the center of the foil, dull side up. Cut the center of the foil into triangles as shown in the pictures. Fold and glue and trim :)
Fold and glue and trim the outer part of the foil too.
Shiny frame, complete!

Step 4: Etching

Now's the creative bit. Think of something, a pattern, words, phrases, anything really that can be impressed into the foil on the frame. I find inside jokes works well.
Now take the old ballpoint and gently draw/write.
TIP: Try and draw something that will look good from all four sides up.
I wrote F-U-N on the short sides, and L-A-U-G-H-T-E-R on the long sides.
Press carefully, as foil is delicate. If you are writing words, you might want to try bubble writing, to make it stand out more.

Step 5: Make It Stand Out and UP

Stick the frame onto the longer rectangle from earlier. Glue along the edges, and leave the top, short side (the side opposite the side with the extra 10cm) unstuck. This will be the entry point for the photo. Let the glue dry.
This frame can be used both horizontally and vertically.

Step 6: Insert Photo and FINISH :)

Yep, that's basically it. Slide the photo in carefully, through access point once the glue has dried. Present the gift, smile and be proud.

Oh, and if you want to decorate further, please do so.

I'd love to see any other versions, if anyone else makes any :D