Amazing Wood Photo Blocks

I orginally saw this project on BuzzFeed via Pinterest. I immediately loved it and knew I had to give it a try. It is easy and turns out great, I have a few of these picture blocks in my office at work and they are always commented on!

What You'll Need:

• Picture printed on paper. I originally tried a photo print from Wal-Mart, which DOES NOT work, just print a picture from your home printer or have it printed at a copy shop, I went to Staples, since I wanted a larger finished product.
• Wood. I got my from Lowes in the building area. It was orginally a long board, they cut it to 10x10 squares for me.
• Gel Medium. You will find this in a craft supply store in the artist section or at an artist store. I got mine at Hobby Lobby.
• Modge Podge. I swear every project I do is Modge Podge'd.... Love it!
• Overnight. This does take overnight to dry before finishing the project.... just a head's up on the timeframe.

How To Do It:

• Sand the edges of the wood.
• Trim print to size.
• Cover surface of the wood with artist gel medium
• Let dry overnight
• Using a wet wash cloth, gentely wash the of the paper from the wood block. The wet paper becomes pulp and easily washes away while the image remains on the wood via the medium.
• Clean all paper residue off.
• Let dry.
• Coat with Modge Podge to seal and give it a shiney finish.

Tips:

• If you are going to do a saying instead of a picture remember to reverse your image in a photo program before you print and the image is reverse on the wood.

Below are pictures of the entire process...

The BEST Christmas Sign EVER!

Matthew 1:21 is the verse I gravitate toward at Christmas time. So when I saw this project on Growing Up Gardner via Pinterest, I knew I wanted to make something similar with this verse. The project is simple and easy, but a little time consuming so start early!

What Your Need:

• 4" Pine Boards Cut To Fit Space. I got my at Lowes and my hubby cut them for me!
• Acrylic Paint & Water. I used Chocolate brown for the color wash, however any color will do and of course white for the lettering.
• Glitter Glue. Optional, I used this on my snowflakes to JAZZ it up!
• Stencils. A variety of lettering makes it FESTIVE!
• Screws & Wire Picture Hanging Supplies. I got mine at Hobby Lobby, LOVE that store!
• Ribbon or a Bow for the Top. I just recycled a old Christmas tree bow that I was not using.

How To Do It: 

Step 1: Stencil your verse or saying onto the boards. 

BE CREATIVE! Use a mixture of fonts and some other design elements... I used snowflakes!

Step 2: Mix paint & water until you get the desired consistency. Brush color wash onto boards.

Tip: I ended up color washing the boards twice to get the desired color.

Step 3: Outline & paint your lettering. 

I outlined my with a pencil and it lightly shows through the color wash making it easy to trace and paint. I used a white paint marker that I got at Hobby Lobby, again, I LOVE that store!

This tended to be the step that took the most time because again I used two coats. 

Step 4: Trace Design Elements with Glitter!

In my case snowflakes to add FLARE and SPARKLE. I used white, silver and gold to match the rest of my decorations.

Step 5: Assemble. 

I braced the back with wood boards and screws because I knew this would be a heavy piece.

Step 6: Hang and ENJOY!

I am so pleased with how this beautiful sign turned out. I know I will enjoy it for YEARS to come.

What do you think of the finished project?