Photo Cards with the Charmed Frame

Back again with another idea using the new Charmed Frame that I showcased yesterday for the December Papertrey Ink countdown. A little something different for you.

For some back story, I prepped and sent off the final file for this die to Nichole and then left for a five day camping trip. I must have been thinking on it during the drive down, because I couldn't get the idea out of my head that this die cut looks a lot like a photo frame. There was a follow-up email to Nichole somewhere in the wilds of Virginia about making the center of the die open, so it would be easy to position it over a photo for a precision cut. Nothing like a little nature to clear the head and get the juices flowing, aye?

Today, you are going to see how that all looks. 

It is a tradition at my house to take and give love themed photos to Matt and all four grandparents for Valentine's Day. Perhaps this is just an excuse to buy the kids adorable outfits? I won't deny it. (Have you seen the stuff at Gymboree? This dress on Eliza is one of my all time favorites.)  

So, with a stockpile of those laying around, it was no problem to dig up a few photos for these frames today. They are a few years old, but no less cute for it.

So, let's talk photos. These two were full sized 4x6 prints that I just ran through my die cut machine with the Charmed Frame. I was able to position the opening around where I wanted to cut the photo. Fortunately, both of these were wide shots and they worked well. If you what to use more of your photo, you've got to get 3x4 photos printed. That is roughly the size of the opening, with a bit extra trimmed off. 

You can get two 3x4 photos printed on a single 4x6 print. I found a little program that will help you with that. (Disclaimer: I haven't tried it, just researched it. I use Photoshop Elements myself for this type of stuff.) You can DYI this at home and then just get them printed as a 4x6. You'll get two images per sheet and pay the 4x6 cost. Or you can let Walgreens do it for you by printing a wallet print and get the exact same thing. But for some reason, they'll charge you more for it. Same amount of ink, same amount of paper...just more money to let their computer system do it for you. Depending on the time, effort, and energy you have to do this, one option might be better for you than another. 

Here's a close up of Hank's frame. To make it more masculine, I filled in the holes in the Charmed Frame with metal studs. The frame is cut out of Silver Shimmer Cardstock with the details switched out with Pure Poppy.

And here is Miss Eliza Jane, all girly in her red scalloped dress and rhinestones. The details of this Charmed Frame cut are switched out with Hibiscus Burst. I can't help thinking that if you have princess themed stamps or die cuts (some of you might have Little Princess from before it was vaulted) that this frame would be a really great way to showcase it. Something is just screaming "princess" to me here with the rhinestones. 

To conclude, Charmed Frame has a lot of possibility when it comes to the "photo card". Think holiday cards, birthday thank yous, "thanks for the memories" type things. Fun stuff. I'll definitely will be using it a lot like this. In fact, I have a few Santa photos I need to send to my grandmothers ASAP. I'll be needing to get some 4x3's printed here real soon. 

I'll be back tomorrow with something completely different. And hopefully we'll catch a few glimpses of the Charmed stamp set that is designed to coordinate with Charmed Frame during the group post today. Click on over to Nichole's blog for that.

All new supplies will be available at 10 PM EST at www.papertreyink.com. 

Supplies

Photo Cards

Stamps: Happy Hearts, Tiny Tags 2

Dies: Charmed Frame, Heart Cover Plate, XOXO

Ink: Hibiscus Burst

Cardstock: Silver Shimmer, Hibiscus Burst, Pure Poppy, Stamper's Select White, True Black