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Produced by Natasha DickensWritten by Jane Craig
Print photos onto paper, cut them out and glue them to a painted wooden tray using a decoupage medium such as Mod Podge. Add another coat of decoupage medium to the entire tray to seal it. When it's dry, use dimensional paint to add the heart. Trays are available at craft stores for less than $15.
Print your photo onto photo transfer fabric for an inkjet or laser printer. Then wrap the fabric around an existing lampshade and hold it in place with paper fasteners or decorative brads. Self-adhesive lampshades are also available at craft stores for less than $10. Use the pattern that is provided, cut fabric to fit and adhere the transferred photo to the shade. For larger shades, use a collage of prints.
If you're into woodworking, use your router to make parallel grooves along a block of wood and paint a stain on it. Laminate photos or attach them to Plexiglass and set them in the grooves. or, purchase a wooden quilting ruler rack (which quilters use to store their rulers). They come in a variety of sizes and can be found at quilt shops and online for less than $20.
Paint a photo onto photo transfer fabric and staple it over a stretcher frame for an inexpensive painted canvas look. Or, take your photo to a framing shop and have it transferred onto artist canvas. Though this method is more expensive (starting around $70), it produces an authentic look, and the size is not as limited.
Think beyond the white mug, and print a black-and-white photo on a clear or white self-adhesive label, and place it on a smooth ceramic vase. Office supply stores carry adhesive labels in a variety of sizes, from small return address labels to 8 1/2-x-11-in. sheets for inkjet and laser printers.
• Black and white images have a nostalgic, timeless feel and a classy, professional look.
• Framing and photo shops can scan prints, which means that you are not limited to using only digital photos.
• Select high-resolution images and crop them to focus in on your subject.
• Get a quote beforehand. Prices can vary greatly.
• With today's digital cameras, taking and storing images has become easier. But rapidly changing technology may soon make your current storage method obsolete. The best way to preserve your photos is to print them on archival paper. This eliminates the danger of accidentally deleting them or the need to constantly upgrade your storage method.
July 06, 2011 1:55 PM
The black-and-white picture on the vase is such a great gift idea. Love it!
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