SOCIAL MEDIA

11.21.2014

Create // DIY Hanging Wood Photo Transfer

photo transfer, diy, wood, gift, craft
I've been pretty excited to share this DIY with you guys! I wish that I had the time/innovation to share more DIYs here on the blog, so it is always nice when I am able to whip something fun together! I decided to make this project as a wedding gift for my cousin, as it would be personal since I used a photo I took of her and her husband, it would be something unique that no one else would give them, and because it would be kind on my wallet.

This project is fairly easy and can be completed in a day or two. I think this is something anyone would love to receive as a gift, and is something you could make to add a personal touch to your home.
photo transfer, diy, wood, gift, craft
Here's what you'll need:
+ Wood plank of your choice ($11)
+ Laser printed image on normal paper ($1.50)
*Be sure to "mirror" the image before printing if you care about its orientation after transfer*
+ 1 sheet tracing paper
+ Gel Medium
+ Mod Podge
+ Foam brush
+ Twine ($2)
+ 2 loop screws ($1.50)
+ scissors
+ cloth rag
+ small bowl of water
+ pencil
+ drill or screw driver

optional for decorating:
+ brush & ink
+ pens                                                                                            What this project cost me: $16
photo transfer, diy, wood, gift, craft photo transfer, diy, wood, gift, craft
Step 1: Use a sheet of tracing paper and a pencil to around the area of the wood plank that you would like your image to cover. Cut this shape out.
photo transfer, diy, wood, gift, craft
Step 2: Place tracing paper cutout over image and decide what part of the image you would like on the wood plank. Trace this area around the shape of the tracing paper. Cut this shape out.

Note: You may want to turn the tracing paper over to the flip side when you are deciding on and tracing the area of the image, as you will be turning the photo face down when you glue it to the wood plank and the area it covers may be a little off since the wood isn't a perfect oval.
photo transfer, diy, wood, gift, craft
Step 3: Spread an even layer of gel medium on to the wood plank.photo transfer, diy, wood, gift, craft
Step 4: Place cutout image face down on to wood plank. Let completely dry (a few hours or over night) before moving on to the next step. photo transfer, diy, wood, gift, craft
Step 5: After it is completely dried, use a damp cloth to wet the surface of the paper. You can keep adding a bit more water as you go.photo transfer, diy, wood, gift, craft
Step 6: Using your fingers, gently rub paper until fibers peel off.photo transfer, diy, wood, gift, craft
Step 7: Continue this process until all paper fibers are gone.
photo transfer, diy, wood, gift, craft
Hint: You may have to let the wood dry a bit to see where paper is left on the surface, then repeat the rubbing process until al of it is gone.
photo transfer, diy, wood, gift, craft
Step 8: While surface is still wet (or wet it when you are ready for this step) and the colors are at their most vibrant, use a foam brush to paint an even layer of Mod Podge over the image. The Mod Podge will dry clear and this is what will set the surface of the image/wood to keep the colors vibrant.
photo transfer, diy, wood, gift, craft photo transfer, diy, wood, gift, craft
Step 9: Let Mod Podge dry completely (a few hours).
photo transfer, diy, wood, gift, craft
Step 10: Using a drill or screw driver, make two holes on the outer rim of the round wood slab at the place you would like to hang it from. Then, twist the loop screws into the holes until they are secure.
photo transfer, diy, wood, gift, craft
Step 11: Tie the twine between the two loop screws so that your project can hang on the wall.

Step 12 (optional): Use paint, ink, pens or whatever else you would like to decorate your image!

And you're done! This project is really quite easy and provides great results. I have a lot of experience transferring images on to canvas, but I think that I like this process on wood more since the image appears more vibrantly and clearly.

There are so many things you can do with this project and ways you can spice it up. It is a very thoughtful and creative gift that really anyone can appreciate. Plus, it is pretty cost effective for those on a smaller budget.

Now that I have the hang of this process (the first time I transferred an image to wood a few years ago, it didn't turn out so well!), let's not be surprised if everyone gets one for Christmas this year!

If you decide to try this DIY, definitely let me know! Post the finished product on Instagram and tag me :) (Shameless plug: by the way, do you follow me on Instagram???)

Happy Friday and happy crafting!


Jess said...

so cute!! That is so much easier than I thought it would be. Great job, friend!

Jess said...

Thank you! It really is pretty easy and you can customize it in so many ways. Your new family photos would look really cute on some wood slabs :)