Father’s Day Gift Idea: DIY Outlet Cover Frame

Each Father’s Day The Mister gets {I fully admit} a little spoiled. As it should be. He works hard for our family and not a day goes by that we are not thankful for all that he does. But Father’s Day is when we put him up on a pedestal and kiss his feet. Or maybe his hands. I don’t do feet.

I digress. I usually buy a few things that I think he’ll like and I always make something with Luv. This year she made him a card and helped me pick out pictures to put in a special frame…

You see, my husband is an electrician. So I figured an outlet cover would be a clever way to frame pictures of the little ones responsible for his fatherhood. I took it a step further and jazzed it up steampunk style, knowing it would be much appreciated.

Father’s Day Gift Idea Supplies:

• Outlet cover
• Pictures of kiddos cut to fit faux frames. I cut mine 1.5×1.5″
• Laminator
• Scissors or paper cutter if you are fancy (it’s easy to find a good selection of paper cutters online.).
• Hot glue gun
• Card stock
• Optional decorative pieces of choice.

Tips:

• There are some snazzy outlet covers; nickel, Arabesque, antique, art plates, even doubles {if you have four kiddos and want them all in the same frame}! Just check out your local hardware store’s electrical supply section. Prices vary, depending on how pre-decorated you want yours.
• Be mindful of what adhesive you use when using a metal finish cover. I can’t say for sure if hot glue would work.
• The mini gears I used are from Tim Holtz idea-ology.^[*] You could also write or use scrapbook letters to write “Best Dad Ever” or “Yo, Daddyo.” or some other sentiment/glowing adoration..

DIY:

• Remove the center screw in the outlet cover.
• Laminate the pictures you want to use and cut to size.

• Using your hot glue gun, affix the pictures to the underside of the outlet cover. Let dry.
• Cut a piece of card stock to fit the back of the outlet cover. Glue it down. Mine had a slight lip to guide the paper in perfectly, much like a frame would.
• Add finishing touches to the front of the outlet cover.

After everything was set and dry, I just had Luv write on the front of an envelope, slid the frame inside, and added ribbon! So simple, right?

I imagine The Mister will display this frame somewhere in the office… it goes nicely with the light switch I gave him for his birthday last year.

Happy crafting!

^{* [Erin received no products or compensation for this post. She is simply sharing the products she recommends from personal experience. Any opinion expressed is her own.]↩}