Hobbies And Interests
Photo Cubes
After selecting six like photographs, scan them into your computer. Using a photo editing program, resize the photos so that they will fit a four to six inch wooden cube that has been painted your preferred color and allowed to dry. For best results, set each photo to black and white, maximize the contrast, and adjust the brightness so each photo is as sharp as it can be. Print each photo, and cut the photo out of the paper so that it will fit onto one fourth of the wooden cube. Using a foam brush, apply a thin, even layer of transfer gel to each image and allow to dry. Then, apply transfer gel to one side of the cube, and place the picture face down onto the cube. Using a craft spatula, smooth the paper along the cube, pushing any excess gel out from between the paper and the cube. Allow this to dry for an hour, then repeat with each picture on each side of the cube. Dampen a paper towel with cool water, and working in a circular motion, use the paper towel to rub the paper off of the cube. The image will remain on the cube as the paper crumbles off.
Candle-Lit Photo Centerpiece
Take apart three identical wooden photo frames, removing their backings. Stain or paint the frames if so desired, and allow them to dry. Meanwhile, scan your photos into the computer, and using photo editing software, resize them to fit your frames, and convert them to black and white. Print them using an ink-jet printer, onto vellum paper. Trim the photos to fit the frames, and place them into the frames. Form the frames into a triangle and hinge them together using cloth tape. Stand the frame up, and place a glass-protected candle in the center of the photo frames.
See Reference 2
Photo Box
Choose a box that has a detachable lid, and arrange your photos of choice on the lid of the box. You may also opt to arrange photos along the sides of the box, and cut the photos into various shapes. Using rubber cement, glue the photos to the box, and use a craft spatula to smooth the photo down. Decorate the box with colored puff paint, glitter, hot glue and beads or bows, or any other number of decorative items.
Photo Bookmark
Cut a strip of thick, sturdy ribbon, such as grosgrain ribbon, that is about two inches wide, and three inches longer than twice the length of a book. Cut each end of the ribbon into a pointed tip; this will help to prevent the ends from fraying and the ribbon from ripping at the seams. Hand-stitch a one-and-a-half-inch by two-inch photograph to the ribbon. Two stitches in each corner will do. For a larger picture, find a piece of ribbon that has a larger width.