Homemade Gifts: A 'Guy' Picture Frame

So....I have a cousin who is absolutely impossible to buy for during the holidays, EVEN with a list he always provides in September, which I ask for, but he's the only one that listens and get's it to me in on the Christy-shopping-time-table. He also has a birthday in November, so this is actually his birthday gift. I took a really cute picture of Blythe and Brian last Christmas Eve (are you noticing a theme OTHER than homemade gifts this week?) and I decided to try to make SOME sort of frame that was boy-OK/college dorm OK....though I don't know that it will be, it's my best effort. I wanted to make one like the one I made last spring with metal/and wood....very boy-ie. Instruction on 'how to' and that frame are here.
Brian likes music I don't listen to, games I don't play, comics I've never heard, and a certain baby I also puffy heart. But even with all that, I do know he grew up in the age of animation, so I decided to go sort of comic-ie with his frame. I found some comic strip scrapbook paper in my stash, but there wasn't enough, AND it was Wonderwoman.
I debated.
I ripped my hair out.
I sought additional counseling.
I adopted a blankie, sucked my thumb, and whimpered in indecision for negative 4 minutes.
...and then I google searched 'comic strip frame.'
I found a really cute idea using comic strip squares to make a mirror.
It was perfect, in my head, and that's the only place that needs to agree with my hands before I get to work.
I used the same basic prep technique as my last metal frame, but after painting the base of the frame board, I searched out the comics...fun pictures...fun words, and I used my smalles square punch to pull out some fun comics.


I spaced them out (keeping in mind where my metal 'frame' would be going), glued down my comic squares with a glue stick, and then mod podged over them to help them stick/protect them. The paper is pretty flimsy, so I did have to press out a few bubbles within a minute of applying the mod podge so it would lay flat again.

I used gorilla glue to apply the metal piece, and 'decorative' brads.
While it dried, I made a few magnets using my small round punch and some strong magnets, and diamond glaze.

I printed out one of my favorite Brian/Blythe pictures to get my cousin started on his photo sharing.

...and thus completes another gift for a family member.
Linking To:
Scrappy Gifts Sassy Sites