Best Joint?

I think id go with a half lap for the middle pieces but your butterflies would be more than fine to hold them together with a butt joont.

-- "there aren’t many hand tools as awe-inspiring as the #8 jointer. I mean, it just reeks of cast iron heft and hubris" - Smitty

Wood would be getting pretty thin if you use any kind of joint then put the butterflies in too. I think I would use the butterflies to jold butt joints for the center part.

Mitered half-lap joints might look nice and provide adequate strength for the corners.

-- - The mightiest oak in the forest is just a little nut that held its ground.

If the butterflies aren’t a must and your looking for that decorative touch. I would use the half lap joints and peg with the contrasting wood. Strength and decorative at the same time. Square peg holes look good on that type of project in my opinion.

-- I don't make mistakes, I have great learning lessons, Greg

I’d go for all half laps pegged with contrasting wood. (strong, easy, and self squaring)

-- " I'll try to be nicer, if you'll try to be smarter" gfadvm

Half laps in the center, pegged or not. Mitered half laps in the corners.

-- |Statistics show that 100% of people bitten by a snake were close to it.|

My choice would be doweled joints at the middle and splined joints for the miters. There should still be enough meat for the decorative inlay

I like the half lap miters for the corners and loose tenon for the other joints.

-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/

Wow, Jonathan…that’s intense. I’m not sure I’m up to that yet! I’ve gone for half-laps (next time I’ll try mitered half-laps) pegged with a contrasting color. I’m trying to figure out whether to half-lap the center stiles or not…I really think I like the butterflys but I may not go with them…

Thanks for all the input, I’ll post the frame when I’m done!