My most recent DIY project has been a homemade antique window that I converted into a picture frame. I searched craigslist for a free one but finally ended up looking through the window sashes at Second Use near Seattle. I wanted one that was inexpensive, white, light weight, and had more than one window pane. I decided on a 22x22 window sash with 2 panes, for $10, that had white paint on one side and was unpainted on the back. Because it had lead paint on it, I brought it outside, wiped the thing down to clean it, covered the window panes with tape and plastic, and then sprayed the whole thing down with a clear sealant that I got at Walmart. In the picture below you can see the back of the window.
To turn this antique window into a picture frame, I got a D-Ring hanger set from Home Depot (included 2 D-rings, 2 screws, hanging wire, and the picture hanger with nail). I connected this to the back of the window sash following their directions. At Costco, I printed a large 24x36 poster sized print of one of my favorite pictures from our wedding. I then cut the poster to the right dimensions and secured it to the back. Below is the finished product!
You can't tell from the pictures (I use my dinky phone camera) but it is a pretty large statement piece and works great with the light and dark contrasts we have throughout our living room. It has been my favorite DIY project so far!
