I really can’t believe it’s time for this! My baby is going to be a Senior in High School this year. (I am getting teary eyed just typing that!) I wanted the first day of school pic to be a special one, so I made this frame using Reese’s first day of kindergarten picture. We'll use this sign at her senior events throughout the year. I adore how it turned out and would love to show you how to make your own! Let's get started!
Supplies:
- Cardstock Warehouse cardstock paper:
- Adhesives
- 16”x20” blank canvas
- Paper Trimmer
- Cutting machine (I’m using a Cricut)
- Cutting files: Cricut Design Space font “backpack” and paw prints
I started by using Cricut Design Space to design and help me figure out the layout and sizing. This is the easiest way to make sure everything will fit the way you want it on the canvas.
I made 2 rectangles: a 16x20 inch (the size of my canvas), and a 9.5x12 inch (black mat around the photo). I imported Reese’s picture and sized it to an 8x10 image. Select all 3 of these layers and center them, then “group” them together. None of these pieces will actually be cut. I am just using them for sizing and to get the effect of what it will look like. I have already printed the 8x10 picture from a photo center.
Next, find what font you want to use. I went with a retro script from Cricut called “backpack” and then found a paw print I liked. You can choose any font or icons you want that fit the theme of the sign you’re making or your school mascot. I added Reese’s name, school mascot, the paw prints, and Senior ‘26.
After I spelled everything out, I used the offset feature on all the wording and paw prints to create a background layer for the letters that I’ll cut with silver glitter paper. This helps make the letters stand out! Once you get it all designed, sized, and laid out the way you like it, you can remove the grouped layer with your background/picture. (We’ll cut the black mat by hand later.)
Now cut all your pieces, separate them into piles, and grab some good liquid glue. I like Bearly Art® Precision Glue that I put in a little squeeze bottle. Glue your letters together by layering the letters on top of their offset background. I love the glitter behind the purple and black!
Now let’s make the mat for the picture. Since my picture is 8x10, I decided to keep the length of the paper at 12” and cut the width to 9.5” with my paper trimmer.
Adhere your photo to the mat you just cut. I prefer using an adhesive tape runner on photos. I feel like it's more forgiving than glue if you need to pull it up to recenter it. Scor-tape would also be a great permanent option if you plan to keep this for a long time.
Now we are ready to start putting together the frame. First, lay your matted photo in the middle, then take all the pieces and arrange them the way you want them around the photo. I always lay everything out first to make sure I like the way it looks. Your frame might look different than mine, but I am going to walk you through what I did for gluing.
I started by gluing the “Senior ’26” at the bottom with Beacon 3-in-1 glue. (I’m using this glue since my base is canvas, but you can use Bearly Art® glue if your base is foam board or paper.)
Then I glued my photo centered above them, and then the name at the top.
I placed my paw prints vertically on the right side of the picture. Finally, I glued the letters on the left.
Now you are ready to make those first-day-of-school pictures a little bit more special! You can also make this frame for school sports, extracurricular activities, music performances, graduation parties, or any other way you’re celebrating senior year!
Here's Reese with her sign at her senior pants party, where her and her friends decorated pants to wear to events during the school year. 💜
If you make your own school photo frame, we’d love to see how you decorate it! Show us what you're paper crafting on Facebook or Instagram. You can tag your creations with #cardstockwarehouse to be featured in our stories.
Looking for more back-to-school inspiration? Find more tutorials HERE!
Happy Crafting,
Melissa
Instagram: @diy_melissa and @sweetbuttercupdesigns
Etsy: Sweet Buttercup Designs