DIY photo frames from eggshells, shells, paper and other improvised materials. We make a frame for a photo from cardboard or wood with our own hands How and from what to make frames yourself

The craftsmanship of making frames lies not only in the ability to tightly butt corner joints and carefully saw out folds. Which glass and cardboard to choose for a passe-partout? How to combine them correctly? In this article, master professional Stuart Altshuler will talk about all the stages of work and show the difference between ordinary frames and real works of framing art. You will quickly learn how to create a decent frame for your favorite paintings and photographs.

Learn to proportion

First of all, to design a painting or photograph, you need the approach of not a carpenter, but a designer of an exhibition or museum exposition, and you can evaluate the correctness of the finished work using a simple method that I call “flashing assessment”. Stand in front of a picture frame hanging on the wall with your eyes closed. When you open your eyelids for a moment, your gaze should be focused on the picture, and not on the frame or mat. Over the years, I've been able to notice a few patterns and work out rules based on them that will help your frames pass the “flashing score” test.

First, prepare the "stuffing" of the frame

To determine the dimensions of the passe-partout and frame, measure the painting and start adding dimensions from the inside to the outside. Use the table to help you calculate all the sizes you need (see ""). Enter the dimensions of the picture, as well as the width of the bars and folds of the frame, and all other dimensions will be easy to calculate.

Use these dimensions and the margins of the mat to calculate the dimensions of the mat, glass, mounting base and back (see fig. picture below).

Now that the dimensions of the passe-partout are known, it is required to find out the length of the frame bars. To do this, you only need to know the distances between the folds on the back of the frame. However, if the frame is made in such a way that the passe-partout will be inserted into the folds without a gap, then the glass and the backdrop may be somewhat larger and will rest against the edges of the opening. I usually add 3mm to the rebate spacing to leave a gap of about 1.5mm around the perimeter, which also keeps the frame intact when its “stuffing” swells slightly with changes in humidity. In the table, these allowances are already taken into account.

It's time for the corner bevels

The heavy-duty angle vise made of cast iron securely fixes frame parts at exactly 90° angles until the adhesive sets.

Having calculated all the required dimensions, you can begin to manufacture the frame. In this case, it is not so much the type of saw with which you will do this that is important, but the accuracy of the 45 ° angle and the cleanliness of the cut surface are important. In order for the opposite flying frames to have the same length, it is convenient to use the end stop (stopper). When cutting manually with a miter box, use a fine-toothed backsaw with a tooth pitch of 1.2-1.3 mm so that the surface of the bevels is smooth. For clean cuts on a circular saw or miter saw, use an 80-tooth crosscut saw blade. I prefer to use an angle vise for frame assembly. (photo B). With their help, you can fasten each corner of the frame separately, reinforcing the connection with studs. To connect one corner, first fix two adjacent frame parts in a corner vise and make sure that the corner bevels fit well together. If there is a complex profile on the front side of the parts, I try to fit the front sides of the bars first. Tighten the vise a little more and check the tightness of the bar joints. If you are satisfied with the fit, loosen one vise jaw, remove one part, and apply adhesive. Re-insert the part into the vise and tighten it just enough so that the parts do not move when the studs are driven in. Drill a pilot hole in the edge of one of the frame pieces against the adjacent piece so that it goes through the joint and does not intersect with the profile relief on the front side. For better control I prefer to use a small hand drill (photo C). Then fasten the pieces together by driving in a 1.5 mm stud nail, which should be long enough to connect both pieces. (PhotoD). Then I fill in the nail holes with colored Briwax wax.

Drill a pilot hole with a diameter of 1.5 mm on one side of the corner. (It's best to do this from the sides rather than the top and bottom.) Drive in a stud nail and drive into the wood with a hammer. Repeat the operation by adding another hairpin at the same corner.

Some framers add a second stud nail, driving it in from the other side of the corner. This method, called cross-locking, strengthens the connection but makes it almost impossible to disassemble it if necessary. After gluing and pinning one corner of the frame, remove the assembly from the vise and let the glue dry. Then repeat the operation with the other two parts.

Quick tip! Connect the second pair of parts in the same way as the first. Place short and long pieces in the same position in the vise, otherwise you will not be able to assemble a rectangular frame later.

Finally, join the two halves of the frame together, applying glue to all the joints at once so that you do not have to push the parts at the last corner. For fix alternately each of the two corners and fasten them with hairpins.

Cut and assemble the rest

Professionals often refer to the elements inserted into the frame as stuffing or insides. These include (in order of distance from the front) glass, passe-partout, object of display (painting, drawing or photograph), mounting base and back (see photo). ). According to the previously calculated dimensions, cut out the mat, mounting base and back with a sharp knife and a steel ruler. The mounting base and back can be made from the remnants of cardboard for a passe-partout or special material (foam board) sold in art salons.

Having cut out all the rectangles of the same size, make a so-called window with beveled edges in the mat. If you only need one frame, ask your nearest frame shop for help in cutting out a window. But if you need a whole series of frames, it is better to purchase a special passe-partout cutter. The simplest cutters cost about $30-40, and more advanced models, equipped with rulers and stops, cost $125-150. Professional models used in frame shops and shown in the photos in this article can cost $900 or more. They allow you to process large sheets of cardboard and provide better cutting precision and control. Making a passe-partout from a framing master will cost you about $20, so such equipment pays off pretty quickly.

To start, lay the cardstock face down and mark the four corners of the future window (photo E). Then cut out the window with a cutter.

With a sharpened pencil, draw crosshairs in the corners of the future window on the back of the passe-partout.

Quick tip! Avoid too long cuts that go beyond the window. Start and finish the cut a little short of the marking lines, and finally cut the corners with a sharp knife by hand.

The dimensions of the front window of a two-layer mat should be 12 mm larger than the rear window. Then stick the two parts of the mat together with double sided tape. Attach the finished passe-partout with a window to the mounting base, making it look like a book (PhotoF).

There are two ways to attach the object of exposure to the mounting base. To preserve a valuable work of art, use the so-called Japanese method of hanging (picture on the right). Museum workers prefer this method, as it allows you to remove the object without damaging it. (Professionals use acid-free cotton paper and starch paste.)

To quickly mount a less valuable object, stick a strip of masking tape 25 mm wide along its upper edge on the reverse side so that it protrudes about half from the top. Then align the passe-partout with the window to the center of the object and press it down so that the tape sticks on the back side. No matter which mounting method you choose, the final step is to add a backdrop behind the mounting base.

Frame glass if you like.

Most frames use regular glass to protect the contents from dust and UV radiation. As a rule, paper objects (drawings, watercolors or photographs) are covered with glass, and not paintings on canvas. For embroidery, fabric painting and other textile objects, a dual approach is used: heavy dense fabrics, such as rugs or crocheted doilies, do not need protection, but thin and delicate fabrics, such as antique lace, must be covered with glass.

Glass comes in four types. Ordinary lime-silicate glass for frames has a thickness of 2-3 mm. It blocks about 40% of ultraviolet radiation that causes yellowing of paper, fading of colors and destruction of the structure of materials. For better protection, you can use special coated glass that blocks more than 97% of UV, anti-reflective coating, or a combination glass with a two-layer coating that does not give glare and does not transmit UV rays (note: such glass costs six times more than ordinary glass).

Cut yourself a piece of glass to the desired size with a roller glass cutter or have it ordered from a glass shop. Thoroughly clean the glass on both sides and carefully place it on top of the stacked pieces of "stuffing". Before putting the frame on top, make sure that there is no dust or debris under the glass. Then turn the frame over with the contents and place it on a clean table covered with a soft cloth.

To fix the "stuffing" in the frame, use a special mechanical tool to drive the studs (PhotoG) or a small hammer and studs. Carefully drive the studs into the frame halfway.

Drive flat steel studs into the frame every 75-100 mm using a special device.

At the end of the work, stick a border of strips of double-sided tape on the back of the frame (photo H). Then place a piece of kraft paper over the tape, press down firmly and carefully cut off the excess along the edges. (photo I).

Stick along the edges of the frame on the back side of a strip of double-sided tape that will hold the dust sheet. Then press a piece of kraft paper to the tape.

Using a sharp knife or safety razor blade, carefully trim the edges of the dust sheet flush with the edges of the frame.

Quick tip! Do not dampen the release paper. In the past, framers often sprinkled water on the back of the finished frame so that the kraft paper would stretch taut after drying. But now this operation is almost never used because of the risk of spoiling the object of exposure.

Attach the rings 1/4 or 1/3 the height of the frame from the top, and tie twisted wire to them.

Finally, fasten the rings and twisted hanging wire to the back of the frame. (photo J). Pass each end of the wire through the ring and twist with the main wire about 5 cm long. The wire should not be stretched, but it should not sag either. The top of the wire hanger should be about 1/5 the distance from the top to bottom of the frame hanging on the wall.

How to calculate the dimensions of the passe-partout and frame

To use the table "Calculation of the dimensions of the passe-partout and frame", first refer to the table "Selecting the width of the margins of the passe-partout", and then, in accordance with it, put down the following dimensions:

The width of the object (drawing, photograph, etc.) — A

Object height - V

The width of the margins of the passe-partout (from the table "Selecting the width of the margins of the passe-partout") - E

The width of the folds of the frame - H

The width of the bars of the frame - I

Then do the calculations using the middle column and write the results in the right column. (Note: gray cells show calculation examples.)

How to accurately cut glass in a straight line

You can save time and money by learning how to cut glass in your own workshop. To get started, you will need an inexpensive roller glass cutter and mineral spirits or kerosene. You will also need a good ruler, glass cleaner, two spring clamps, clothespins and goggles.

First of all, thoroughly clean the glass of any dirt. Then lay it on a flat table covered with soft material, and fix the ruler on the glass along the line along which it needs to be cut. Then follow the next steps.

Fix the ruler and apply white spirit to the glass with a brush. To make a cut, slide the glass cutter along the ruler with even pressure from start to finish.

Turn the glass over and start tapping with the glass cutter's handle exactly over the line, starting from one of the ends. A clearly visible crack will appear in the glass, growing as you move.

Greetings to all gathered on the blog! Many of us love to give gifts (I think you, too). But ordinary gifts quickly get bored and you want something warmer, sincere, attractive. One of these gifts are do-it-yourself photo frames, which we will make in large quantities today.

I decided to write this post because I made my first soft photo frame a long time ago, and just recently I repeated the experiment and I was more than pleased with the result. Today I will share with you the secrets of creating it, and also show you what other types of photo frames you can make yourself using improvised materials.

How to make photo frames with your own hands: master classes

Children's photo frame "Totoro" ("Photo Frame")

Let's start with a cute children's photo frame inspired by the wonderful anime "My Neighbor Totoro" (if you haven't watched it, be sure to check it out, you won't regret it).

You will need:

• soft stretchy fabric (fleece (example - green fabric in the photo), minky fleece, velsoft, tight knitwear, etc.)
• thin fabric for the heel (cotton, fleece, etc.)
• synthetic winterizer (cloth)
• plastic base (from under equipment, sweets, etc.)
• threads, needles, scissors, accessories for decoration.

There should be enough plastic base to make three parts the size of the desired photo frame.

First of all, you will need to cut out the plastic base (round, square, triangular - whichever you like best) similarly to that shown in the photo. In this case, it's a flat donut. Cut out several details from the synthetic winterizer of the same shape. I will show a master class on the example of a circle.

You will also need 1 more piece of soft, stretchy fabric, but with large seam allowances.

Attention! Do not save fabric on allowances, they should be about 2/3 from the width of the ring so that the fabric is evenly distributed at the back.

We immediately proceed to the most important part - stitching the front. To do this, make small cuts on the inside of the circle (near the allowances) and sew the edges, pulling them with threads to each other as close as possible. (Specially chose a contrasting thread color to make it noticeable).

Advice. If you have chosen a rectangular shape, then you are unlikely to need incisions, you can try to make them without them.

This is what the ring looks like from the front. If desired, you can hide the seams at the back with a thin fabric overlay (I'll show you how to do this a little further).

Set the ring aside. Cut out two circles from thin fabric and plastic (one is not needed yet). Make fabric circles a millimeter or two larger than plastic ones.

Sew the fabric circles, leaving room to turn inside out and insert the plastic base.

After sewing, turn the fabric part inside out, insert a plastic circle there and sew the remaining hole.

We received the back of the photo frame.

If desired, sew a loop of thread or ribbon into it so that you can hang the photo frame on the wall.

This is how I camouflaged the back of the fluffy bagel. To do this, I cut out the same element from a thin fabric as from a stretch one, but now I made the seam allowance smaller and hid it inside, sewing the masking with a blind seam. Sew the back with the same seam.

Sew the back so that in the future you can insert the last circle of plastic and a photo from above.

Try to make small stitches so that they are not noticeable after stitching the parts.

Attached heel:

Front view:

Now insert the plastic circle into the photo frame.

Ready! It remains only to insert a beautiful photo and add decor)

In my case, this is a themed nigella made of wool, with felt leaves sewn on. Photo corresponding You can see the work in more detail in this section (in the "Souvenirs" tab).

Great minky fleece you can buy in this shop. In our woven stores, I have not seen this, and if you want to make a thing no worse than a purchased one, then this particular material will be very useful to you (the seller is verified, I ordered from him more than once).

DIY photo frames made of cardboard and paper

The method described above is far from the easiest of the possible methods for creating a photo frame. Now you will be convinced of this

Photo frame made of ... box lids

In fact, regular cardboard can also be used if it is folded into the shape of such a lid. As you can see, the creation process is simple: just take the lid and cover it with pretty scrapbooking paper.

It is convenient to fasten such frames together, as a result of which a whole set is formed. They can be glued together to get a panel. It turns out a great option for both children and adults.

Cardboard and clothespins

It is these two elements that will be needed for the next type of photo frame. Cut out a circle similar to what we did in the first master class and glue clothespins around it. We get a simple frame for several photos.

Using fabric and thread

In continuation of the first master class. Here I have included all those frames that can be knitted or sewn (in a pinch, use ideas for decoration).

knitted

A cute idea for a photo frame in the form of a flower, and it’s convenient to make such frames for several photos at once. The photo can simply be glued on the back, covering it with some dense material.

From threads

Everything is simpler here: take a frame, threads and glue and wrap the first one, fixing it along the way. Thus, it is easy to turn even very large frames into a work of art.

Shabby chic style

It is very similar in the way of creation to the very first one, with the exception of a couple of differences: here pressed cardboard is taken as the basis (I think you can also take a ready-made frame of a simple shape) and this souvenir has a leg, not a loop mount.

Felt

Take a simple wooden frame as a base and decorate it with felt flowers. By the way, about creating flowers (including from ribbons and paper), you can read other articles on my blog.

From improvised materials or how to decorate a photo frame

walnut

An interesting idea is to use a pecan (if I call it correctly) for finishing. In our area, it is quite possible to replace ordinary walnuts.

Traffic jam!

For the next two types, you will need a lot of wine bottle caps. In the first case, it is proposed to prime a simple wooden photo frame, and then cut floral patterns from corks.

But in the torus, everything is much simpler - you just need to glue the corks around the edge. A great option for a present, say, to dad on February 23.

Polymer clay and little things

Are you good at sculpting with polymer clay? Or just a lot of beads, buttons, etc. accumulated at home? Then feel free to use them - stick to a frame of a simple shape.

The same applies to stones, shells, etc.

nature style

Roughly speaking, to make this beautiful frame, you will need one long log. It is quite possible to build one at home if you dry the piece of wood properly beforehand.

Ice cream sticks

The hardest part is keeping them together. You can do this with glue, thread, or a dense base.

Gypsum castings

Find a suitable mold and plaster. Somehow, my brother experimented with a plaster panel - it turned out quite well, but it stood for a long time.

From thermobeads

I don’t know exactly their scientific name, but if you put them on a special surface and then iron them, you get a dense canvas. You can see an example of a funny frame made in this way below.

On this, dear friends, I finish this great review of various kinds of photo frames. I think you found what you were looking for, if not, write in the comments. And share with your friends not only cool handmade gifts, but also useful information using the social network buttons. Goodbye!

Sincerely, Anastasia Skoreva

Many needlewomen are interested in: how to make a photo frame from improvised materials? After all, this is a very necessary thing, but store frames made of plastic look exactly the same. Therefore, it will be very interesting and useful to learn how to make these things with your own hands, our today's MK for beginners will help you with this.

DIY photo frames from eggshells

These stylish items can be made from any old and unnecessary things. You just need to connect your imagination and not be afraid to create.

The basis for a photo frame is usually made of cardboard. In addition, you can use blanks sold in the store for this purpose.

How to decorate a cardboard base? Only your imagination can limit you here. We offer you to pay attention to the master class of the original product, decorated with eggshells.

1) Cut out the base for a frame 4 cm wide from cardboard. The inner perimeter of the frame must match the size of the photo.

2) We make a stand for a photo frame. We cut out such a figure from cardboard.

3) From the rectangular uncut side, measure a two-centimeter strip and bend it.

4) Cut out a rectangle for the back wall of the frame. Glue the details.

5) Glue the leg. To do this, we spread the bent two-centimeter strip with glue and glue it to the middle of the back wall of the frame.

6) We begin the design. Cover the frame with blue acrylic paint.

7) Boil 5 eggs, peel them in large blocks. Paint it in different shades of blue paint.

8) When the paint is dry, grind the shell.

9) And now paste over the frame with eggshells in random order, but tightly to each other.

10) Here is what a successful decor turned out.

Instead of egg shells, you can use broken seashells or other types of decor.

simple paper frame

It is very easy to make a photo frame out of paper, but always beautiful and embossed, for example, from wallpaper.

You will need:

• wallpaper;
• cardboard;
• glue;
• ruler;
• simple pencil;
• scissors;
• mock knife;
• stapler.

Sequencing:

1) Draw two rectangles on the back of the wallpaper. The perimeter of the inner should be equal to the size of the photo. The width between the inner and outer perimeter should be 3 cm.

2) In the central rectangle, draw diagonal lines and mark 1.5 cm from them.

3) Draw another inner rectangle through these points.

4) Cut the inner rectangle along the diagonal lines with a craft knife.

5) Bend the corners inward.

6) Bend the side of the outer rectangle.

7) Fold the last three-centimeter strip in half.

8) There are small squares in each corner. Cut one fold.

9) Fold the frame into a box.

10) We chop off with a stapler.

11) Cut out a rectangle from cardboard and glue it to the frame. This is the back wall.

Making such a frame is simple, it will be very interesting for children.

Comfort and coziness

Homemade items for the home are a kind of amulet, a symbol of comfort and prosperity. Because the things in which a person has invested his labor and his love have a very strong positive energy.

Handmade gifts are especially valued all over the world. They will surely bring peace and warmth to the homes of your friends, loved ones and relatives. Your young man will certainly be delighted with your joint photo in the original frame. And the children will be simply delighted, having received a color photo in a bright frame as a gift.

Let's look at very simple and quick ways to make frames.

DIY photo frames from toilet paper rolls

Make a three-dimensional base and paste over the details as you wish.

Cut the rolls into rings with a diameter of 1.5 - 2 cm, bend with a petal. Glue the petals together with good glue, paint in the right color and the frame is ready!

Cut all the same rolls, connect them together, glue them with sequins or rhinestones and the royal frame is ready!

Making frames using the applique method

Literally all the materials that come to your hand can be used here: beads, coins, shells, coffee beans, etc. Details are best glued with a hot glue gun.

In our ever-rushing digital age, sometimes you want to stop, sit in your favorite chair and just relax. It is at such moments that many of us pick up a large one with photographs. When looking at any picture, the thought suddenly arises that it would be nice to put it on a shelf or hang it on the wall. But due to the fact that there is no suitable frame, we again send the photo to lie between the pages of the album. Wait, do not rush and hide the picture, you can create a frame from improvised material. What and how to make a frame? From cardboard. Yes, yes, ordinary cardboard, which can be found in every home.

Cardboard frame - a new activity

So, one cozy evening, flipping through the pages of the album, laughingly telling your child about how once upon a time you were a baby too, you suddenly wanted to leave a couple of pictures in plain sight, enclosing them in an original frame. Creating a paper and cardboard frame will help you pass the evening, besides, this is another great way to teach your child something new and interesting. Feel free to get down to business! Its production will not require large time and financial costs.

Cardboard frame: necessary materials

An elementary do-it-yourself cardboard frame is made using the most common materials, such as cardboard, ribbons, fabric, wallpaper residues, beads, shells brought from a summer vacation, and other items suitable for decor. You will also need scissors, a ruler, a pencil. An interesting solution for decoration can be raw cereals - it can be peas, buckwheat, semolina or any other. How to make a cardboard frame using cereals will be described a little lower, of course, many will like this decoration option.

simple frame

To make the simplest frame you will need:

White cardboard;

Decoration items (in this case, beads were used);

Stationery.

Two rectangular blanks are cut out of cardboard. For 10x15 they should be 13.5x18.5 cm. Now in one of them you need to cut out a window, which should be slightly smaller than the picture itself. If desired, a film can be attached to this window on the reverse side, for example, a piece from a transparent file to protect the photo from dust. The picture must be fixed at the corners with thin strips of paper between the blanks, the image in the window. Now you can paste over the blanks with a cloth, decorate with beads. Do not forget to attach a stand to the back of the frame - a triangle cut out of cardboard or a loop to hang it on the wall. This is how easily and quickly a simple frame is made from Agree, even a child can handle it.

A simple frame decorated with groats

Creating such a frame is not at all difficult. The principle of its manufacture is the same as in the previous description. Only the way of decorating changes. Groats are glued to the front blank with the help of PVA. If it is peas, then each pea is glued separately. You can even use semolina, millet, buckwheat. After the glue dries well, the grits must be varnished, allowed to dry, painted in any suitable color and again covered with a layer of varnish. It turns out a very unusual cardboard frame made in the “cereal” technique. Made by hand, it will delight your eyes for a long time.

Scrapbooking frame

This option is somewhat more difficult to perform than the previous ones, and will require a little more time and effort. A cardboard photo frame decorated with fabric looks stylish and rather unusual. To make such a thing you will need:

Scrap paper sheet 30x30 cm;

A piece of scrap paper 10.5x15.5 cm;

Brads (carnations or buttons with a decorative hat);

A small piece of synthetic winterizer;

- Moment Crystal.

To make such a cardboard frame, you need to cut out several details: the front and back sides (24x18.7 and 18.5x13.5 cm in size), the leg (16 cm). The window in the frame is cut out based on the size of the image. The frame cover is cut out of fabric. When cutting, do not forget to make a small (approx. 1.5 cm) indent from the edge for bends. The front part is cut out of the synthetic winterizer, the one with the window. You can start to form the frame itself. To do this, the front side must be lubricated with a thin layer of glue and the synthetic winterizer is fixed, a prepared fabric is applied on top of it, which must be glued, bending the material to the reverse side, starting from the corners. It should look like a pillow. Now you need to make the middle of the frame, that is, the same window. Carefully, not forgetting about small indents, a rectangle of the required size is cut out, the fabric is folded, glued. To make the frame even more attractive, you can sew its edges on a sewing machine. To decorate the scrap frame, you can use ribbon bows, brads, beads and other small items for decoration. The back side is glued with scrap paper, in turn, a leg is attached to it for stability.

Scrapbooking cardboard photo frames are distinguished from all others by their delicate, extremely attractive design and can serve as a great gift.

Cardboard coffee frame, master class

Necessary materials:

Thick cardboard;

Coffee beans;

Acrylic lacquer;

Stationery;

1. We prepare the basis for the frame. To do this, rectangles, front and back sides are cut out of cardboard. In the front part, depending on the size of the picture, a window is made.

2. The front side is pasted over with a suitable color material.

3. The window for the picture is carefully formed.

5. Coffee beans are glued to the fabric. For this purpose, it is better to use Moment Crystal or liquid nails.

6. After all the grains are glued, you can cover them with two or three layers of varnish with intermediate drying of each layer.

7. A variety of little things can serve as decoration for the frame - such as satin ribbons tied into beautiful bows, figures of coffee cups and spoons.

8. The desired photo is fixed in the window.

9. The front and back are glued together.

10. A rectangle cut out of cardboard will serve as a stand for the frame, which is fixed on the back of the product.

Frame with eggshell

You can also decorate the cut out base for the photo frame with eggshells.
It turns out a certain effect of aging with cracks, or a mosaic. Before sticking the shell on the cardboard, it must be properly prepared. First, rinse thoroughly. Secondly, remove all internal films. Thirdly, dry well. Only after such preparation can the shells be painted with acrylic paints in any color, let the paint dry and break the shell into small pieces.

The front side of the future frame must also be painted in a suitable color. It is not necessary to use paint of the same shade. For example, bright pink, bright blue, crimson and white colors are perfectly combined with each other. Playing on their contrast gives a stunningly beautiful result. Shell fragments are glued to the front side in random order, folding into a kind of mosaic. In such a simple way, using improvised material, a do-it-yourself cardboard frame is made.

Good luck with your ideas and success!