Sweethearts Candy-Inspired Photo Booth Frame

Sweeten Your Photos with a Candy-Inspired Frame

When I was growing up, Sweetheart candies were basically the epitome of Valentine’s Day. I mean, you couldn’t walk into a classroom or store without seeing those little pastel hearts with cute (and sometimes cheesy) messages. They were a total Valentine’s Day classic! But here’s the thing—my son has never even heard of them until I made this.

I was feeling crafty one day and came across this $3 silicone heart-shaped mold, and suddenly, my mind was buzzing with ideas. I grabbed some casting material from Joann’s and got to work. Since I’m still getting my feet wet in the whole “room parent” world (okay, fine—I might be a little extra making this), I decided to make a Valentine’s Day-themed photo booth frame for the kids’ party next month. I can already picture their faces when they see it — they’re going to be so excited!

And the best part? The whole project cost me about $20. It was super simple, super affordable, and honestly, it’s the kind of thing I can bring out year after year. If you’re looking for an easy DIY Valentine’s Day project that adds a personal touch to your celebrations (without breaking the bank), definitely give this a try. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did. And hey, maybe you can introduce the new generation to the sweet nostalgia of those iconic Sweetheart candies while you’re at it!

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How to Create a Candy-Inspired Photo Booth Frame: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

Materials Needed:

• 4 Basswood Planks (3/8″ x 3″ x 24″)

• Loctite Power Grab All Purpose Adhesive

• Perfect Cast Casting Material

• Heart-Shaped Silicone Mold

• White Acrylic Paint (I used leftover Benjamin Moore interior paint for durability, perfect for handling by little hands)

• Red Acrylic Paint (I used leftover Benjamin Moore interior paint for durability, ideal for frequent handling)

• Pastel-Colored Acrylic Paint for the hearts

• Paintbrush

• Masking Tape

• Rust-Oleum Chalked Matte Clear (matte finish preferred for that chalky candy look)

• Old Vinyl Sign (leftover from a wedding or event)

• Velcro Strips

• Silhouette Printer (to print custom text) (If you don’t have one, don’t sweat it! You can always draw directly on the vinyl with a paint marker)

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Creating the Frame

1. Prepare Your Basswood Planks:

   • Start with the four basswood planks. These will form the structure of your photo booth frame. Lay them out so they form a rectangular shape when glued together.
     

2. Glue the Planks Together:

   • Use Loctite Power Grab All Purpose Adhesive to glue the four basswood planks together. Apply a generous amount of glue to the edges where the planks will join and press them firmly. Make sure they align properly to create a rectangle. For best results, place something heavy on top to ensure a strong bond.

   • Let the glued planks dry for at least one hour. This will ensure they are securely attached and ready for the next steps.
     

Making the Heart-Shaped Candies

1. Prepare the Heart-Shaped Mold:

   While the frame is drying, take your heart-shaped silicone mold and mix the Perfect Cast Casting Material according to the package instructions. Pour the casting material into the mold, filling each heart shape, and let it set.
   

2. Paint the Hearts:

   Once the heart-shaped casting material is set and removed from the mold, paint them in pastel colors (think soft pinks, yellows, and blues). These will add the candy-inspired touch to your frame. Let the hearts dry thoroughly.
   

3. Seal the Hearts:

   After painting the hearts, spray them with Rust-Oleum Chalked Matte Clear to seal the paint. Acrylic crafting paint can flake off easily, but this clear coat will ensure the hearts withstand wear and tear from little hands and last for years. Let the clear coat dry completely.
   

Painting the Frame

1. Paint the Frame White:

   • Once the frame is dry, use your white acrylic paint (or leftover Benjamin Moore house paint) to coat the entire wooden frame. This will give it a nice, smooth, and durable base that will hold up well in little hands. Allow the paint to dry completely.

2. Tape the Edges and Paint Red:

   • After the white paint has dried, apply masking tape along the edges of the frame to create clean lines. Then, paint the inner part of the frame with red acrylic paint. This will replicate the look of the original Sweethearts candy box, with white edges and a vibrant red center. Let the paint dry completely.

   
   

Assembly

1. Attach the Hearts to the Frame:

   • Using the Loctite adhesive, attach the painted hearts onto the frame in a fun arrangement that mimics the look of candy. Allow the adhesive to dry for an hour or until fully set.

2. Create a Custom Sign:

   • Take a vinyl sheet (mine was leftover from a wedding or event) and cut it to the size you want for your custom sign. Use a Silhouette printer to print the text “4th Grade Sweethearts 2025” (or the current year). (If you don’t have a Silhouette printer, don’t sweat it! You can always draw directly on the vinyl with a paint marker.)

3. Attach the Sign with Velcro:

   • Secure the sign to the frame using velcro strips. The velcro makes it easy to remove and update the sign every year with the new grade and year, so you can reuse the frame year after year!

4. Let Everything Dry:

   • Allow the frame and sign to dry completely before using. This ensures the paint, adhesive, and velcro are securely set and ready for handling.

Now your candy-inspired photo booth frame with a customizable sign is ready for the party! The kids will love it, and the ability to update the sign each year ensures that it’ll stay a fun, lasting part of future celebrations. Enjoy!

Get Inspired!