Baptisms are very special events. Right after a newborn has arrived, the parents receive all types of gifts. Instead of giving the same type of gifts, why not give them something that is different. It is something that they will cherish.
Making one of these items isn’t as hard as you might think that it is. It does take some time and some effort to do it right. I got this idea when, I read an article by by Emma S. The article was “Make Wall Crosses from Picture Frames, Mirrors, and More.”
By using your own imagination, you could really come up with a great picture frame. You could use different wood grains or you could use the same one. If you could find some old wooden picture frames, you could even sand them down and refinish them.
To keep the project simple, you will need three picture frames. One large for the horizontal and two smaller , but of the same size for the sides. If the back of the frames have a stand up leg, you will want to take it off of the frames.
Next remove the glass and inspect it for chips, cracks, etc. Since you have them out, clean them up with Windex. Now add your pictures of the baby, parents, sponsors, grand parents, a baptismal sea shell, pictures of Jesus. Lay them out on a table in front of you in the form of the picture cross frame that they will go. You will probably want the babies picture in the center.
Now on a parched card put on the child’s name and date of the baptism. A neat way to do this is to take a piece of off white construction paper and gently burn the edges with a match. Don’t burn off the name and date though. Set it aside.
Now place the pictures and parched card inside the picture frames. If you don’t have enough pictures, place a back round piece of paper that the pictures can be glued to.
On the center (larger) frame, screw in a hook so that it can be hung at the top of the frame. Be sure that it is in very tight so that it will support the weight of the three frames.
Now you are ready to connect the three frames together. You can use Super Glue to hold them together or if you are talented enough, you can staple them on the back side. You must be careful not to break the glass. You can also use the “L” shaped type of bracket on the back side as well.
If at all possible, try to be able to have the open ends of the frame on the outside. This is so you can remove the pictures or frame glass later on.
Now place it in a large box with extra tissue for protection and gift wrap it. You are good to go. This is an item that can be hung at any place in the house. It is an item that many people will comment on.
