Whether you’re decking out a dessert table for a wedding, or setting up for a summer cookout, it goes without saying that guests appreciate knowing what’s in the dish. With just a few Popsicle Sticks, some paper, and pliers, your labels can double as decorative menu frames. Read on to see how.

Opening Photo Credit: Ashley Largesse Photography

 

Cost: $1

Time: 15 Minutes

Difficulty: Easy. Clip the Popsicle Sticks to size, and then glue into place.

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Speed Square

Cutting Pliers

Ruler

Pencil

Sanding Sponge

Popsicle Sticks

Glue

Paper

1-inch Corner Cutoff of any piece of Scrap Wood (or substitute folded paper)

Top and Bottom – 2 @ 4 inches (cut at opposing 45-degree angles)

Sides – 2 @ 2 inches (cut at opposing 45-degree angles)

 

Steps

 

1. Mark the First Cut

 

Using a speed square, mark a 45-degree cut line at one end of a popsicle stick.
DIY-Menu-Frames-by-Build-Basic---Step-1-copy

www.Build-Basic.com2. Make the First Cut

 

Place the blade of the cutting pliers along the line marked in Step 1. Squeeze the pliers until they snip through the popsicle stick.

Tip: I pulled a cloth over the pliers during the cut to prevent the tip from shooting out of sight.

DIY-Menu-Frames-by-Build-Basic---Step-2-copy

www.Build-Basic.com

3. Mark the Length

 

Lay the popsicle stick along a ruler so that the tip of the cut end rests at zero. Mark the opposite end at 4 inches for the top and bottom, and 2 inches for the sides.
DIY-Menu-Frames-by-Build-Basic---Step-3-copy

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4. Cut and Dryfit the Parts

 

Using the instruction in Steps 1-3, Cut the pieces to size. Pull the cut ends along a sanding sponge to remove any burrs. Lay the pieces in a rectangle on the work surface to check that all the mitered ends set tightly against each other.  Make adjustments as needed, and then paint or stain the parts.
DIY-Menu-Frames-by-Build-Basic---Step-4-copy

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5. Glue the Frame

 

Cut out a 2-by-4-inch piece of paper. (I have terrible handwriting, so I printed mine.) Lay the paper face-up. Apply glue to the back of each frame piece, and then press it into place along the edge of the paper. Allow to dry.
DIY-Menu-Frames-by-Build-Basic---Step-5-copy

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6. Add the Backing

 

To sturdy the frame and prevent light from shining through the paper, I added a dark construction paper backing. To glue it in place, apply glue to the perimeter of the paper (avoid the middle). And then press the backing in place.
DIY-Menu-Frames-by-Build-Basic---Step-6-copy

www.Build-Basic.com

7. Create a Stand

 

A stand can be created using a 1-inch cutoff from a scrap piece of wood, or a piece of paper folded 3 times into a triangular tube, and then glued in place.
DIY-Menu-Frames-by-Build-Basic---Step-7-copy

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MORE BUILDING PLANS

 

2 thoughts on “Build DIY Menu Frames

  1. Mallek John

    I think it would have been nice to make the little menu frames reusable. Maybe a half width of popsicle stick on the back of each frame, then a black chipboard glued to the frame with one end left open would allow the cards to be slide out and new ones used.

    Reply

    1. Jenn Post author

      John, That’s a really great idea!!! I’m going to check if we can do a couple extra shots and add them to the project with your suggestions in mind. Thank you for sharing!

      Reply

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