Photo Blocks
Today we are going to make some really cool Photo Blocks!
Yes, we are going to visit the hardware store for this one! But, really it’s fun and easy. Let’s get started.
The supplies you will need are…
From the hardware Store…
1 1×4
A table saw or have them cut it at the hardware store for you
Sandpaper, medium and fine grit
From the craft store or your stash…
Glue, I used an extra strong glue embellishment glue stick by Pioneer
Mod Podge, I used Matte
Craft paint, paintbrush
Scissors, Craft Knife
Flat Wooden Letters
Ribbon
Digital Items….
A cute Digi Kit, I used Winelands a Collaboration by, Mari Koegelenberg and Sarah Jones
Your photo editing program
Printer and Matte Photo paper
OK, lets get crafting! The first step is to get your piece of wood and measure it. My piece of wood is a 1×4, but it really is not 4 inches wide it’s like 3 1/2. I dont really know why they call it a 1×4 if it’s 1×3 1/2, but hey..what do you do! haha! So, I had my hubs get out the table saw and cut my wood into 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 inch squares. The first time I made these my Hubs was out of town and I pulled out the saw and cut them all by myself, it’s really not hard. Just KEEP your fingers AWAY from the blade! And put on some safety glasses! You can also have them cut the wood for you at the hardware store. I don’t even think they charge for cutting, but I’m not sure.
OK, so your wood is all cut into 3.5 x 3.5 squares. Now you need to sand the edges nice and smooth. Sand them with your medium grit paper first and then smooth them with the fine grit sand paper.
Now take out the craft paint and paint your wood on all sides and let them dry.
While your paint is drying, open up your photo editing program and design your pictures to put on your squares of wood. I made mine for my BFF for her Birthday. I used pictures of her 4 boys and a kit in the colors of her living room! Winelands was the perfect kit because her kitchen and living room are done in a winery theme!
OK, so I have all my 4 squares designed. Now I need to pick some paper to use for my letters. The little wooden letters are about 2×2 inches so I make a new file that is 2 inches by 2 inches, duplicate it 4 times and choose 4 papers and drag them into the 2×2 files, (resize the paper to the look you want).
Now time to print them all out. The best way to do this is to make an 8.5×11 file and drag all 4 of your big squares and all 4 of your little squares into that one file so you can print them all out at once, like this…
So, now you have your digi part of the project all printed out and your blocks are sanded and the paint is dry, let’s put these babies together!
First step is to glue the pictures to the blocks. I like to use the extra strong glue stick for this. Put glue ALL over the back of the paper and press it and smooth it onto the block.
Then seal the edges and cover the front with your Mod Podge. Some people will use the Mod Podge to glue the paper to the block, but I get bubbles when I do that! I have found that if you stick it on first with a glue stick and then seal it with the Mod Podge you get no bubbles!
You will do the same thing with your letters. Just place your letter on the printed paper and trace around the letter then cut it out. Do the same process as the squares for the letters…glue it on with the glue stick and finish with the Mod Podge.
Now you just have to wait for all the Mod Podge to dry. I waited till the next day, but you can give it a few hours and you should be good.
I like to add some ribbon to my letters too, just tie them on, then glue your letters to your blocks.
I like to put ribbon around the edges too! Here are my finished Photo Blocks! I know my BFF will love them!
Other Articles by juliemomof4:
- Hybrid Wall Canvas - July 27th, 2010
- Mini Tag Album... and Give-away! - May 22nd, 2010
- Make a Bouquet of Flowers for Mom - April 27th, 2010
- Easter Eggs Decor - March 22nd, 2010
- Recycle Challenge! - March 6th, 2010
