Showcase grandkids with fun photo frame

Grandparents can never get enough pictures of their grandkids. With Grandparents Day just around the corner on Sunday, Sept. 13, remember them with the best gift of all — updated photos of you and the kids! But don't just tuck them in an envelope. Show them off in a frame made from extra computer mouse pads you might have stuffed away in a drawer. Not only do the frames look slick, but they won't break in the mail en route to Grandmother's house.

Here's how to make the frame:

Find a special photo. Use it as is or trim off the sides to highlight the portion you want to show in the frame. For a standard-size photo, you'll only need half of an 8-inch-by-12-inch mouse pad.

Cut the mouse pad in half widthwise with a pair of scissors. The cut edge will be the base of the frame. Measure your photo and then cut out a rectangle or square in the middle or to the side of the mouse pad slightly smaller than the photo. Save the cut-out piece for a stand.

To make the stand, cut the cut-out piece in half. These two pieces will be the two feet of the stand. Now, cut out a 1/2-inch-deep-by-1/4-inch-wide notch into the middle of the long edge of each cut-out piece.

At the base of the frame, cut two 3/4-inch slits about 6 inches apart from each other. Widen the slits slightly so that the feet can be snuggly inserted and the frame stands nicely.

Center the photo in the cut-out portion and tape it to the back of the frame. For fun, glue or attach a decorative item next to the photo. For example, if the photo is from a fishing trip, attach a real lure that "caught the big one."

If the mouse pad has designs on it, such as multiples of bubbles, cut out the mouse pad in the shape of a submarine. Cut out circles for portholes to frame several headshots of the whole family. Or if the mouse pad has flower designs on it, use it for a photo taken in a garden.

When complete, wrap and mail to those special grandparents, who will appreciate the creativity and the gesture.

Donna Erickson's award-winning series "Donna's Day" is airing on public television nationwide. To find more of her creative family recipes and activities, visit www.donnasday.com and link to the NEW Donna's Day Facebook fan page. Her latest book is "Donna Erickson's Fabulous Funstuff for Families."

(c) 2015 Donna Erickson Distributed by King Features Synd.