Vintage books stand between decorative heart-shaped bookends on a wooden surface. The books vary in color and design, adding a classic charm to the cozy room in the background.

How To: Sweet Handmade Heart Crafted From Old Frames

Have you ever stumbled upon a Pinterest inspiration photo that initially left you feeling… stuck?

A floral wreath surrounds the text "Pinterest Challenge" with a heart symbol above. Below, it reads "One Inspiration Photo, Several Different Styles." Hosted by countyroad407.com. The design is in pink on a white background.

That’s exactly what happened during this month’s Pinterest Challenge hosted by the wonderful Cindy from County Road 407.

If you came from Laura at Decor to Adore, she didn’t have trouble did she? Her shadow box is so clever, right?

When Cindy shared a picture featuring three textured mixed-media hearts arranged in a vintage frame, my creative brain didn’t instantly spark – in fact, it stalled completely.

Decorative framed art featuring heart shapes wrapped in fabric, lace, and burlap. A message reads "LOVE YOU." Red roses and greenery accent the piece, with "Dorenes Craft & Design Home Decor" written at the bottom.

For several days, I stared at the image, feeling uninspired.

The hearts and their style just didn’t resonate with me. 

But then something magical happened. I took a step back and stripped the concept down to its bare essentials: hearts and a frame. 

Suddenly, a tiny seed started to sprout. What if I could reimagine this concept entirely?

What if, instead of working with the image as presented, I could flip the entire idea on its head?

Cue the crafting lightbulb moment!

A decorative silver tray holding several ornate, carved wood molding samples in various shades, from light to dark brown. The tray is placed on a wooden surface.

This tutorial is all about transforming those forgotten picture frames stacked in your closet or lurking in thrift store bins into something absolutely heartwarming (pun totally intended).

We’re going to take those wooden frames and jigsaw them into gorgeous, unique heart shapes that will make people stop and say, “Wait, those used to be frames?”

Get ready to upcycle, create, and fall in love with a craft that turns inspiration into something totally unexpected.

Grab your tools, clear some workspace, and let’s turn those frames into something extraordinary!

A Quick Note About This Project:

You know how I love solving puzzles!

Well, these frame hearts were quite the creative challenge to figure out.

But now that I’ve worked out all the kinks (and sacrificed a few frames in the process πŸ˜‰), you get to skip straight to the successful method!

Following these steps, you can have several hearts cut and ready for finishing in an afternoon.

How much time you spend on painting and finishing is up to your creative vision.

Fair warning though – while this isn’t the most complicated project you’ll ever tackle, I’d call it more of a medium-skill endeavor.

If you’re comfortable with power tools and have some basic DIY experience under your belt, you’ll do great!

Hands holding a carved wooden heart, featuring intricate patterns. The heart has a natural, unfinished texture and is illuminated by soft lighting. The background is blurred, focusing attention on the heart.

What You’ll Need to Make Our Hearts

Materials

  • Assorted wood frames (see important notes below)
  • Scrap board larger than your cut corner frames
  • Wood glue
  • Thin nails or tacks
  • Micro Sander and sandpaper (This is my favorite crafting tool!!!)
  • Assorted paints, stains, waxes of your choice
  • Thin Wire, optional for hanging

Tools

  • Ruler
  • Drill with fine bit
  • Hammer
  • Jigsaw and scrolling blade
  • Clamps

Safety Equipment

  • Safety Goggles
  • Mask or respirator (Safety First!!!)

Important Notes About Frame Selection

An assortment of picture frames in various sizes and colors, some with artwork, lies scattered on a gray marble surface. Several frames have price stickers on them, and the frames vary in material and design.

Best Choices:

  • Solid wood frames are ideal
  • 5×7 inches is the minimum size (you’ll get two usable corners from these)

What to Avoid or Use with Caution:

the profile edge of two cut pieces of a wood frame are shown against a marble counter top

  • Metal and plastic frames (not suitable for this project)
  • Resin frames can be problematic:
    • May get gummy when cut with a jigsaw
    • Require proper respiratory protection due to potential toxic fumes
    • Often have poor corner stability, especially with cardboard reinforcement
  • Deep frames that slope toward the back Like pictured above (difficult to match with other frames)

Making Hearts From Frames

Step 1) Cut Your Frames

A circular saw in operation, cutting through a side of a wooden picture frame.

Cut each side of your frame, roughly in the center so you have 4 corner pieces.

Yes, I actually used painter’s tape to mark the middle. Don’t bother with that. Totally not necessary, and really, not even helpful.

PRO TIP: For a 5×7 frame cut close to the sides of diagonally opposing corners. So you’ll have two useable corners with sides between 4 1/2 and 6 1/2-inches long.

A cardboard box filled with various ornate picture frame corners, featuring intricate patterns. The frames are in different colors including gold, red, and cream, with some green tape visible on the corners. Sunlight casts shadows inside the box.

Step 2) Plan Your Frame Stacks-

Various decorative frame corners with different patterns and colors are arranged on a table. Each has a white paper heart with a number on it placed on top.

Determine how you want to stack the individual frames to make one heart.

A few of mine are cut from just the one wide frame.

Some are two frames stacked and some are three.

Close-up of a hand holding wooden picture frame samples with various profiles and finishes. The person is wearing a watch with a metal strap. Heart-shaped cutouts and tools are blurred in the background on a white surface.
A hand holds an angled piece of wood with a small rectangular wooden block attached. The wood appears unfinished, and the background shows a tabletop with faint outlines of other objects.

As you are stacking them, notice how they will overlap or butt together making sure there is enough surface contact for wood glue to hold them securely together.

The left one where the two frames are butting against each other would not be good. There is very little contact.

However the right version is great with two flat sections of the same frame overlapping for better contact.

HELPFUL TIP: use painters tape to number each frame in a stack. If you’re doing a bunch of frame that are all different, it’s was very helpful, to avoid second guessing and the old W-W-W bit. You know, What Went Where!

Step 3) Create Your Pattern

Close-up of a translucent plastic ruler placed diagonally on a wooden frame. The ruler measures thickness, and numbers are visible in centimeters and inches. The frame shows shadows and reflections on a light-colored surface.

With them stacked, measure the diagonal corner from the outside edge (the point of your heart) to the inside point (the top indent of your heart).

Use the editable hearts template I have in my printables and resource library.

Grab the red line down the center of the heart and expand or contract it to your measurement.

Now grab a corner of the heart box and expand or contract it to meet the size of your center red line.

Person cutting out a heart-shaped piece from a sheet of paper using scissors. The paper has numbers and lines on it, suggesting a template or pattern. More heart pieces are visible on the wooden surface in the background.

This is your heart pattern. Print and cut it out.

PRO TIP: If you want to make your own pattern, just know that the point of your heart needs to be 90-degrees.

You can also measure up the length of the sides the same amount and freehand the top curves to the center point.

Step 4) Transfer Pattern

Transfer heart pattern to the stacked frames by tracing around it with a pencil or pen on the face side.

It’s easiest to do this with clamps or a second set of hands to hold them together while you trace.

Step 5) Prepare for Cutting

IMPORTANT: Do Not glue your frame pieces together yet!

A person uses a hammer to work on a mosaic piece, with various colorful tiles visible. The hands are focused, wearing a dark sleeve and a watch. The scene suggests detail work in an art or construction project.

Grab that piece of scrap wood or the backing board and attach your pieces in their stacked pattern (that busy blue and gold board above? That is the artwork that came in the wide white frame).

I drilled and then nailed through the backing board into the back of the frames to hold them tight while cutting.

Of course, you want to nail into the thickest part of the frame and with nails that won’t protrude out the top of the frame.

If your backing board is difficult to nail through:

  1. Drill holes through the backing board where the thickest part of the frame is
  2. Line up stacked frame pieces over one corner of the board
  3. Secure all frame parts in multiple places away from cutting line
  4. Clamp board securely to supporting surface
  5. Ensure frame corner is supported but not in cutting line

A little problem-solving:

Hands holding a piece of wood with a red edge, featuring decorative molding. A knife is visible in the background on a table.

Ideally, your stack of frames will all rest on the backing board like above.

A person is holding a partially carved stick of wood. The wood has a profile of a head at the top. In the background, there is a blue pillow and a wooden surface with a small box on it.
Hands holding two pieces of wooden molding, fitting them together at a mitered corner. The background shows a kitchen setting with white cabinets.

But in reality, sometimes the backs of your stacked frames will not be even, like above left.

In that case, I padded the gap between the frame and the backing board with some scrap balsa wood (above, right). Once the cutting is done, that padding goes away.

Close-up of a person using a green electric jigsaw to cut a sheet of wood. The jigsaw is slicing through a piece with a pink edge, clamped to a table. Sawdust is visible around the cutting area.
The two frames are held securely to the backing board. The green and gold clamps are holding the backer board securely to my support surface the pale grey board.
(And yes, that’s snow on the ground. It’s January and I don’t have an indoor wood shop)

Please note: The angle of the picture makes my fingers look much closer to the saw than they really were! Always, always use extreme caution when using power tools — especially those with blades!

Hold your jigsaw as flat as possible, cutting from one side to the center and then over to the other side.

Don’t stress about the tiny curves next to the heart indent. We’re taking care of them next.

Step 6) Sand and Finish

Hands holding a carved wooden heart, featuring intricate patterns. The heart has a natural, unfinished texture and is illuminated by soft lighting. The background is blurred, focusing attention on the heart.

  • Remove frame pieces from backing board
  • Sand smooth curves at center indent in particular
  • Smooth rough wood edges

Various heart-shaped wooden objects with different ornate patterns and colors are arranged on a table. Each heart is crafted from layered frame-like pieces, displaying unique designs and shades, ranging from light to dark tones.

Here’s where you get to let your creativity shine!

Maybe you want to embrace that vintage vibe with chalk paint and dark wax.

Or go bold with vibrant colors for a modern pop.

Love metallics? A coat of gold or copper paint could be stunning.

The beauty of these hearts is that each one can tell its own story through color and texture. And don’t worry if your finish isn’t perfect – those little imperfections add character and charm!

Step 7) Add Hanging Hardware (Optional)

Close-up of the corner of a wooden frame. Two small, round, tacks are on either side of the corner with a piece of wire held between them.

For hearts you might want to hang:

  1. Drill tiny holes on each side of the indent on inside lip
  2. Wrap thin wire around two tacks
  3. Leave about 1/2-inch between tacks
  4. Apply wood glue to tack ends
  5. Insert in holes and tap down with small hammer

Close-up of a white twist tie wrapper around a frayed white ribbon. The ends of the twist tie and coming out from under a bit of wire on the back of the wooden heart ornament.
Close-up of frayed white fabric threaded through a piece of wire on the top of the back of the wood heart.

PRO CRAFTER TIP: Use a twist tie wrapped around ribbon as a needle pulling it under the wire and out through the indent.

Step 8) Final Assembly

Various heart-shaped wooden objects with different ornate patterns and colors are arranged on a table. Each heart is crafted from layered frame-like pieces, displaying unique designs and shades, ranging from light to dark tones.

  1. Apply thin line of wood glue where pieces will meet
  2. Spread glue smoothly
  3. Clamp for 20 minutes
  4. Add third frame if using three
  5. Glue and clamp again

Making These Hearts Extra Special

You know what makes these hearts even more magical?

Hands holding a wooden heart-shaped object with a smooth finish and a partially carved texture. The person is wearing a gold wristwatch. The background is slightly blurred, showing hints of a tiled surface.

They’re perfect for celebrating life’s special moments! Consider making them for:

  • Wedding decor (imagine them hanging from vineyard posts or nestled in centerpieces!)
  • Bridal shower favors (paint them in the wedding colors)
  • Baby shower decorations (soft pastels would be adorable)
  • Teacher appreciation gifts (who wouldn’t love a one-of-a-kind heart?)
  • Birthday surprises for friends and neighbors
  • Valentine’s Day tokens of friendship
  • Anniversary celebrations

The best part? Each heart carries your thoughtfulness and creativity – making them so much more meaningful than anything store-bought!

Before we get distracted with all the great ways to style these hearts, be sure to save this several boards to be sure you can find it when the time is right:

A decorative, handmade heart-shaped frame with ornate details leans against a framed photo of a couple. Beside them, a small pot with a succulent adds a touch of greenery. The text reads "Upcycle Unique Hearts Old Frames.

Where and How to Use Your Frame Hearts

So many options! Where to begin?

Wall and Display Areas

A wooden heart ornament with a bow is displayed on a backdrop of green leaves attached to a white shiplap wall. Surrounding it, several white mugs hang from hooks on a wooden rack.

  • Suspend within a wreath for added dimension
  • Temporarily replace artwork in your gallery wall for seasonal changes
  • Position on the back of built-ins or hutch for seasonal decor
  • Create an asymmetrical trio of different-sized hearts
  • Layer with vintage architectural pieces

A wooden heart-shaped decoration on a white paneled wall next to a green leafy plant. Below the decoration, a metallic container sits on a shelf.

Shelves and Surfaces

A framed photo of a couple kissing outdoors is displayed on a shelf. Next to the frame is a rustic corner molding piece and a small burlap-wrapped plant. The frame has the word "KATIE SUNCEOFF" and an ampersand symbol printed on it.

And look, they work with whatever your style!

Framed photo of a couple embracing outdoors, with a decorative heart-shaped object and a small potted succulent placed in front. The frame is black, and the heart-shaped object has a carved design.

  • Style on picture ledges like these or open shelving
  • Incorporate into kitchen open shelves for unexpected charm
  • Use as unique bookends on console tables or within bookshelves
  • Incorporate in a mantel display

A kitchen shelf with stacked white and blue dishes, a wooden cutting board, a decorative blue wooden heart, glass oil bottles, and a small potted plant in the background. The arrangement is neatly organized.

I absolutely love how this blue heart adds a punch of unexpected color to my kitchen shelves!

Grouped Displays

A silver decorative tray holds several heart-shaped objects made from wood with ornate, carved designs. The hearts have varying shades of muted colors like beige, gray, and light pink, creating a rustic, vintage appearance.

  • Arrange to greenery in a vintage basket
  • Add to a decorative tray display
  • Fill a dough bowl with hearts of varying sizes
  • Add to a tiered tray grouping
  • Style within a coffee table vignette with natural elements
  • Lay on top of a stack of coffee table books next to a candle

Trust me, these hearts tucked into a dough bowl with some greenery? Pure magic!

A collection of vintage books stands upright between two white, heart-shaped wooden bookends. The books have ornate spines with titles like "Little Women" and "Poems." They are displayed on a wooden surface with a blurred background.

Seasonal Touches

A wicker basket is filled with lush green foliage and decorated with heart-shaped ornaments. These ornaments are made from wood and feature different carvings and finishes, adding a rustic charm to the arrangement.

  • For Valentine’s Day: Pair with vintage postcards or love letters
  • Spring: Combine with fresh or faux flowers
  • Year-round: Group with family photos or meaningful objects
  • Winter: Incorporate with pine branches and white candles

Hanging Options

  • Suspend with ribbon
  • Hang using jute twine
  • Attach with raffia for a rustic look
  • String along a length of jute twine for a garland

These hearts are versatile enough to work as both hanging art and freestanding decor pieces.

Their substantial construction and rustic charm make them perfect for year-round display, with endless possibilities for seasonal updates.

And now it’s time for me to send you on to Barbara at French Ethereal to see her twist on our inspiration image.

Tell Barbara hello from me.

And here are all the creative gals participating this month:

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

I hope you enjoy this project. Please share how you would use or style these hearts and of course send pics when you do make them.

round image of Diane smiling next to a Signature that reads: With Joy, Diane

11 Comments

  1. Missy

    Hail! O Queen of Creativity! These are AMAZING! I’ve never seen anything like this. You’ve knocked it out of the ballpark, my friend!

    Reply
    • Diane

      That’s so sweet of you! I hadn’t either and that’s why it took me an entire day (an several sacrificed frames) to figure out the “How”. But now it’s very doable!!! Thank goodness!

      Reply
  2. Laura Ingalls Gunn

    Diane this is such a brilliant project. I love the creativity and gorgeous textures!

    Reply
  3. Cindy Rust

    What a brilliant idea Diane! I have a ton of frames that I could make this project with! Pinned~

    Reply
  4. Barbara

    Diane, wow!!! This was an ambitious project! I love how these stacked frame hearts turned out. They are wonderful as bookends. Really fun! Can’t wait to share these to Pinterest when I get home today.

    Happy almost Valentine’s Day,
    Barb πŸ™‚

    Reply
  5. Cindy Long | DIY Beautify

    Diane, as someone who is math challenged, I’m so impressed with this project! Thanks for figuring out out lol! I absolutely love this sweet idea and pinned it so Mr DIY can make me some πŸ˜‰πŸ˜˜

    Reply
  6. Cindy@CountyRoad407

    You and I both were completely uninspired by this month’s photo and stared at it for weeks! But look at us coming up with something we both enjoyed later. Yours was much more work and is a fantastically stunning idea! Love how you broke it down. Glad you joined us instead of saying no altogether for lack of enthusiasm.
    Honestly, you should sell those! pinned

    Reply
  7. Michelle | Thistle Key Lane

    Diane, your wood hearts are so gorgeous and expensive looking. If I were to see one in a boutique I would definitely appreciate the creative work involved in making them and buy one! Love!

    Reply
  8. Donna

    Diane, these wood hearts are absolutely adorable! Pinning now so I can make them sometime! I’m going to share this post tomorrow in our Seasonal Sentiments Monthly Rewind Newsletter!

    Reply
  9. Barbara Chapman

    Diane, I am so glad you posted on Share Your Style last week so I could happily share your hearts at this week’s SYS #451 for you. <3 I pinned many of your photos, too. I still can't believe how you came up with this idea ~ it's genius! Enjoy your hearts and Happy Valentine's Day!!!

    Hugs,
    Barb πŸ™‚

    Reply
  10. Julie

    This is such a stunning idea, I love your hearts. They will be a feature at Handmade Monday this week πŸ™‚

    Reply

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Diane Sudhoff
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