I received this plaque for my anniversary a few years ago. I decided to make 5x7 versions for my monthly visiting teaching handout as it's two of my girls' birthdays this month and the third gal is a mom and I will be seeing her right before mom's day- I thought the temple that is meaningful to each of them would be a perfect gift.
I started with a piece of scrap alder from Home Depot that costs me $1.01-yeah seriously! I had a pic of my happy face but switched phones and you'll just have to imagine it.
I had the guy there cut the scrap into 8 5x7 pieces. The sanded the crap out of it with 80 grit and then 220. It took the entire Nate Berkus show AND an episode of Dancing with the Stars to sand it to my liking.
Make LASER copies of whichever photo you want to use (inkjet prints will run). When I was looking for the free temple pics online I found that someone had done this idea before. If you go to The Idea Door you can find some variations of this as well as TONS of temple pdf files. I sized them down to 4x6 and put two to a page so it would cost less-it's 59 cents a page for color copies at Kinkos.
Then I did two coats of black craft paint. After it's super dry, you'll apply either glossy or matte modge podge (for paper) to the wood surface and then to the back of the picture- starting in the middle and working towards the edges.
The wood should look almost dry when you apply the picture to it. You'll want to press it onto the wood for 1-2 minutes and make sure no bubbles form.
After at least 15 minutes you can do a second modge podge coat on top of the pic, this is where I had to be careful with the bubbling. Keep pressing down working from the center towards the edges- there are tools to do this, but fingers work fine.
Let the boards dry overnight, in the morning the modge podge may still feel tacky to the touch. You may then use a clear acrylic finish spray paint which fix that and make it look more professional.
Although I chose a religious picture of the LDS temple because I wanted the message to be family oriented, i.e. "Families are Forever"-
you COULD do this with any print you want, a family photo or whatever.
You could also layer cute card stock or scrap book paper under the chosen picture.
The wood should look almost dry when you apply the picture to it. You'll want to press it onto the wood for 1-2 minutes and make sure no bubbles form.
After at least 15 minutes you can do a second modge podge coat on top of the pic, this is where I had to be careful with the bubbling. Keep pressing down working from the center towards the edges- there are tools to do this, but fingers work fine.
Let the boards dry overnight, in the morning the modge podge may still feel tacky to the touch. You may then use a clear acrylic finish spray paint which fix that and make it look more professional.
Mesa, AZ Temple |
Salt Lake City Temple |
Laie Hawaii Temple |
Although I chose a religious picture of the LDS temple because I wanted the message to be family oriented, i.e. "Families are Forever"-
you COULD do this with any print you want, a family photo or whatever.
You could also layer cute card stock or scrap book paper under the chosen picture.
For Z's and my moms we'll buy a stand to give as part of the gift.
For the other women I'll just wrap a bow around it and call it good.

Thanks for dropping by!
- Becca -
I'M A PARTY ANIMAL!
Tools are for Women Too, Chic on a Shoestring, Tip Junkie, At the Picket Fence, Shabby Nest, Reasons to Skip the Housework, Simply Designing, Funky Junk Interiors, Nifty Thrifty Things, I Heart Nap Time, Creating Really Awesome Free Things, Petite Hermine, Craft Envy, Stories of A 2 Z, Hope Studios, New Nostalgia, Sugarbee Crafts, Ask Anna Moseley, DIY By Design, Passionately Artistic, Women Who Do It All, House of Hepworths, L Bratina, Beyond the Picket Fence, Shabby Chic Cottage, Fire Flies and Jelly Beans, Its a Hodge Podge Life, Just a Girl Blog, Simply Sweet Home , Inspiring Creations Blog, On the Verge 6, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Whipperberry, Remodelaholic, All Thingz Related, Saturday Mornings, Poppies at Play, The Girl Creative, Type A Decorating, At Home With K, Elements Interiors, Some what Simple, Todays Creative Blog and Stuff and Nonsense.
For the other women I'll just wrap a bow around it and call it good.
Thanks for dropping by!
I'M A PARTY ANIMAL!
Tools are for Women Too, Chic on a Shoestring, Tip Junkie, At the Picket Fence, Shabby Nest, Reasons to Skip the Housework, Simply Designing, Funky Junk Interiors, Nifty Thrifty Things, I Heart Nap Time, Creating Really Awesome Free Things, Petite Hermine, Craft Envy, Stories of A 2 Z, Hope Studios, New Nostalgia, Sugarbee Crafts, Ask Anna Moseley, DIY By Design, Passionately Artistic, Women Who Do It All, House of Hepworths, L Bratina, Beyond the Picket Fence, Shabby Chic Cottage, Fire Flies and Jelly Beans, Its a Hodge Podge Life, Just a Girl Blog, Simply Sweet Home , Inspiring Creations Blog, On the Verge 6, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Whipperberry, Remodelaholic, All Thingz Related, Saturday Mornings, Poppies at Play, The Girl Creative, Type A Decorating, At Home With K, Elements Interiors, Some what Simple, Todays Creative Blog and Stuff and Nonsense.
It‘s so nice that I found your blog about your link on 'Chic on a Shoestring Decorating'. Of course I’ve scrolled a little and like what I see. Now I’m your new follower! ;)
ReplyDeleteTake care
Tine
So pretty! I'm going to have to give this a try. I found you through Tip Junkie.
ReplyDeleteOoo i love this! i will have to give this a try.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this fun and beautiful project! I can't wait to give it a try!
ReplyDeletefound you through tip junkie, love the idea! I'm thinking it would make a great YW activity
ReplyDeleteFound you at Take-A-Look Tuesdays. Really cute idea!
ReplyDeleteMichael
bluevelvetchair.blogspot.com
very cool. that is a lot of sanding, looks great. thanks for sharing it at my party!
ReplyDeleteI featured you on my blog today!
ReplyDeletehttp://reasonstoskipthehousework.blogspot.com/2011/04/gotta-love-inspiration_25.html
Smiles,
Melanie
Reasons To Skip The Housework
Tuesday Time Out Link Up Party
Link up Your Weekly Parties Here
Sent you the wrong link!
ReplyDeletehttp://reasonstoskipthehousework.blogspot.com/2011/04/moms-day-inspirations.html
Smiles,
Melanie
Reasons To Skip The Housework
Tuesday Time Out Link Up Party
Link up Your Weekly Parties Here
Wow! Another great and creative idea!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for linking this up with {nifty thrifty sunday} as well!
I hope to see you again tomorrow!
xoxo,
Vanessa
PS: I had to become a new follower! Can't wait what you'll come up with next! :)
Love those! Thanks for sharing! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful! I think this is such a great idea, I am going to have to make some myself! I would love to have you come and share this at my Fantastic Friday link party! http://ironvioletdesigns.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteVERY cool look! So great that you can use your own pictures to decorate with -- thanks for posting!
ReplyDeletelove this! i needed another option besides ONE MORE PICTURE FRAME. new follower here :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! Love the pictures you selected, the project is perfect!!! I stopped by from A Marvelous Mess, I've posted a project there too!
ReplyDeleteHugs, antonella :-)
http://quilling.blogspot.com/2011/05/wacky-wednesday-hug-card.html
oooh i love this!!!! SOOO CUTE! what a great idea
ReplyDeleteHi from your newest google follower/s, saw you on Handmade Tuesdays, please pop by, Karima from
ReplyDeletewww.karimascrafts.com
and
www.karimasblogs.blogspot.com
We just made something similar to this at girls camp. I loved it so much, we are going to make it for our Super Saturday too! (I hold 2 callings at the moment!)
ReplyDeleteI love these and I've made something similar but I used a real photo and it worked great also.
ReplyDeleteLovely cute pictures!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
Hope you have a fabulous week!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/
Great project, I really like how it's a way to display your image without needing a separate frame. Clever! Thank you for sharing on A Crafty Soiree.
ReplyDeleteThey look great! Such a fabulous idea for displaying your photos. Thanks so much for linking up to The Creative Spark! Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
ReplyDeleteJenn :)
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ReplyDelete