Floral 3D Cardboard Frame

Do you have a lot of cardboard boxes at home from deliveries and groceries, and are you looking for a fun craft project? You can create a cute photo frame using cardboard boxes, decorated with beautiful flower petals as well. :)

• Cardboard box
• Scissors
• Hot glue gun
• Ruler
• Pen
• Acrylic paint (2 colors of your choice)

Start by cutting out a rectangular piece of cardboard from the cardboard box that matches the dimensions of the picture you plan to frame. In my case, I chose 5 inches by 7 inches to fit the proportions of my picture. Using a ruler and pen, mark a 1-inch border around the edge of the cardboard frame. Carefully cut along the inner edge of this border to create an opening in the center of the cardboard frame, leaving a neat 1-inch wide border around it. This forms the basic structure of your cardboard photo frame, complete with a centered opening ready for your picture.

To decorate both the frame and create the flowers, I utilized the textured exposed part of the cardboard, which had intricate grooves. To expose this texture, gently peel off the thin top layer of paper on the cardboard using your fingers. Once you peel back this layer, the exposed cardboard will reveal a textured surface similar to the one shown above. This textured surface will add a unique and natural aesthetic to your cardboard photo frame and flower decorations.

I used the textured cardboard to create strips for decorating the frame. Begin by cutting the textured cardboard into thin rectangular strips that vary in length but are approximately 1 cm wide. Then, using hot glue, adhere these strips around the frame to form a geometric border, similar to the example shown above. Once you have covered the entire top of the frame with the textured cardboard strips, glue a cardboard rectangle of the same size as the frame to the back. Ensure to leave a small slit opening at the top so that there is space for the picture to slide in securely.

Similarly, we will use the textured cardboard to create flower petals. Begin by cutting a rectangular piece of textured cardboard into strips that are 1 cm wide. Next, take two strips of textured cardboard and hot glue the tops of the strips together. Then, fold both pieces outward to create the petal shape and secure the pieces together with hot glue.

Once you have created approximately 20 petals, you can begin assembling them to form the flower shape. Start by taking one individual petal and placing it between two petals to create a cluster. Continue this process by adding another two-petal piece around the three-petal cluster, securing each piece with hot glue as you go. Gradually build the flower by adding more petals in this manner, arranging them in a circular pattern to form the flower shape. As you add petals, make sure to hot glue each connection securely. This method will gradually build up a layered, dimensional flower structure.

I painted the frame using mustard yellow acrylic paint and then painted the flowers with a contrasting burgundy color. Afterward, I hot glued the flower pieces onto the cardboard frame, completing the project. This frame creation allows for creativity, enabling you to use various colors and flower shapes based on the provided instructions to craft a beautiful design that suits your preference!