Tightwaddery and framing

My local Hobby Lobby sells off their "orphan" frames twice a year. These are custom frames that were refused by a customer or slightly damaged. When they hit 80-90% off, I buy the ones I think I'll use - the bigger, the better.

The bigger the frame, the more linear feet I can get out of it. Once, I drove home with three door-sized frames in the back of Old Faithful (my '88 Chevy pickup with 223,000+ miles on it). I spent $37.00 and ended up with about 54 linear feet.

DH cuts them down to the correct size for me. Last year, I spent a total of $100.00 and ended up with 250 linear feet of frame . If I had paid full price, it would have cost me $1200.00. Another tightwad triumph!

Now, some of you are saying, "My DH is not at all handy, nor does he work with power saws." Be aware that many frame shops (not places like Hobby Lobby or Michael's who do not have the tools to cut frame stock on location) are happy to cut down a frame for you for a nominal fee. I was tipped off about this service and about Hobby Lobby's orphan frame clearance by the guy who owns the frame shop that cuts glass and mats for me.

DH has been busy

My DH spent the afternoon making four frames for me. He enjoys woodworking and is very gleeful when he gets to use his compound miter saw (with laser guide). Stay tuned for pictures as I get the projects stretched, mounted and framed during the coming week. I have Pippi and Beau to frame, along with a deer project for my deer-hunting DH. The fourth frame is for the JBW Dog that I am currently stitching. Look for a picture on Monday. After going into apoplectic sticker shock at frame shops, I taught myself how to frame my work. I read up on it on the Internet and in the library, and talked to professional framers. It's not as hard as it looks, it's just tedious, especially if you're a perfectionist like I am. I still have a local frame shop cut my glass and mats (if I use mats), but I do all the rest myself. I bought the proper tools for framing online. Believe me, having the right tools really helps and makes the job easier.