I am so excited to share this project with you today! This DIY wood mounted photograph is extremely easy, very cheap, is beautiful to display in your home, and makes the perfect gift. I am also thrilled to be hosting an amazing giveaway, so stay tuned to the end of this post to find out the details, and how you can enter.
****************************** Giveaway is now closed *******************************
I made one of these wood mounted photographs for my mom’s birthday gift a few weeks ago with our family photo on it, and she couldn’t believe that I made it. It truly is one of my favorite projects. The finished surface of the photograph ends up looking almost like a canvas, and the end result looks very high end. And with Christmas in the near future, this would make a wonderful and inexpensive gift for your family or friends. I originally saw this idea at Mommy Models.
So let’s begin! Here are the supplies that you will need:
I had these 12″x12″ photos printed at Costco for only $2.99 each.
First you need to sand the edges of the wood board, just to smooth it down a little.
Then paint the sides of your board. I painted two coats. If you are giving this as a gift, I would recommend painting the back too. If you are keeping it for yourself, you can either paint the back or leave it unpainted, since it will probably be hung on the wall or set on a shelf where the back won’t be seen. I think that a woodstain would look really nice, too. I think I’ll try that next time.
Next comes the scary part! Brush on a layer of Mod Podge on top of your photo. It will look like you ruined it, and you’ll be wondering if you messed it up, but it will be okay! The Mod Podge dries clear, and will look fine after a few minutes.
I used horizontal brush strokes for the first layer, and once that dried, I brushed on a second layer using vertical brush strokes. This gave it a canvas-y look that I liked. Just make sure you use full brush strokes straight across, to make it smooth. Once the top dries, brush the sides with Mod Podge too.
If you would like to see more of Tyler’s beautiful photos, you can see them here.
Here are the giveaway rules:
1. You MUST be a local San Diego resident to win the giveaway. Anyone may comment, but only a local commenter can win. If the chosen winner is not local, another winner will be chosen. Winner will be chosen at random, and will receive a one hour local San Diego photo shoot with photographer Tyler Little, and will receive a disc of high-resolution edited images.
2. To enter, please leave a comment below.
3. To earn a second entry, like Make Life Lovely on Facebook. Leave a separate comment telling me that you liked Make Life Lovely on Facebook.
4. To earn a third entry, enter your email address in the sidebar to alert you when there is a new post. Leave a separate comment telling me that you signed up to receive email alerts.
5. This giveaway will close at midnight on Saturday, November 10, 2012. The winner will be announced on Monday, November 12, 2012.
Good luck!!!
If you liked this project, please follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Bloglovin’, and Instagram.
Oh my word I have to try this and I’m so excited to enter the giveaway! Tyler is so talented!!!
I already like you on Facebook. 🙂
And now I will be getting emails from you, yay!
Great, thank you Mary! He is talented, isn’t he? He’s the only photographer I use 🙂
Thanks for posting about this one! I’m definitely going to try it.
i like you on facebook!
and i submitted my email…that is all. 🙂
Thank you for following. Good luck Jody!
I love this! I have made something similar with the San Diego temple on a block of wood. I am definitely going to try this! And I am so excited about the giveaway.
So happy to hear you’re going to try this! Be sure to come back and let me know how it goes.
I like you on Facebook! And I am going to share this.
I submitted my email also!
this is awesome. thanks. and Tyler is super talented.
This is a perfect Christmas gift! Thanks for sharing! I think Tyler is awesome and would love family pics!
Isn’t he great? I hope you try this project, you will love it!
liked you on FB
Thank you, and good luck!
I also liked your page on Facebook.
Looking forward to email updates!
getting emails.
Dang lady you are seriously so crafty! Love the blog. I was planning on leaving a comment today and was super excited when I saw this post. Tyler is a very talented photographer.
Why thank you! Perfect day to leave a comment 🙂
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I like you on facebook! Why don’t they have a “love it” button?!
Me too, wouldn’t that be great?!
Submitted my e-mail! Have a great Monday!
Tyler took the pictures for my sis-in-law’s wedding – they turned out beautifully! I love the wood mounted photo – I think I found my Christmas presents! Thanks!
Devin Schallock
You are welcome, let me know how the project turns out!
Just liked you on FB! I’m excited to see what else you have on there.
Devin Schallock
Can’t wait to be emailed to see more cute stuff!
Devin Schallock
Amy just told about your blog- so fun! This is the best give away!
Thank you Wendy! Good luck, and welcome to my blog!
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Your cousin linked me to your page and it’s great! I did the same thing with the photos and framed canvas. I painted the edges afterward and hit the edges of the photos too. Love the end result! Your babies are precious.
Thank you, I’m glad you like my blog! I still need to try the canvas method. As soon as I find more wall space, haha.
you are so creative, love this idea!!
Thanks Justyn! So glad you stopped by.
I LIKED YOU ON FACEBOOK
I SUBSCRIBED TO YOUR EMAIL ALSO. I am so trying so very hard for a lovely photo shoot but your so talented brother!!! (like all the so’s?!)
Just randomly found your page. Just moved back to San Diego area. Would love to win the giveaway!
Awesome, so glad you found me! Good luck!
I also liked your page on facebook
i love it!
Thanks! So glad you stopped by 🙂
i loved u on fb too!
Hi, your work is awesome and I am about to try it. My question is what kind of wood did u get at lowes? Was it ply wood or exactly which kind and was the wood really heavy? 2nd question is will any kind of photo paper work since I will be putting mod podge on it and I don’t want to ruin the photo. Thank you
Yes, any type of photo paper should work just fine! See two comments below to see my answer about the wood. Hope that helps!
where did you get your 12 by 12 photo prints att
At Costco. They used to print 12 x 12, but someone told me that stopped doing it recently? I haven’t tried printing that size again, so I’m not sure if they still do.
I have the same question as Amish – what type of wood did you use? Plywood is the least expensive, but I’m thinking that the edges would look bad, even when painted. And what thickness did you use? Thanks!
Oh gosh, I wish I could remember the thickness. I know that it was 12 x 60″, so I would ask someone who works there to show you where the wood is that are those dimensions, and I think you could find it pretty easily. No, it wasn’t plywood- you are right, the edges of plywood would look horrible. The wood I used sanded very nicely, and worked great! Good luck finding it!
I’d like to ask, how has this photo mounted on wood held up over time?
It’s held up really well! It looks exactly like it did when I first made it. We gave a set of them to my husband’s grandma, and they look perfect! I think the key is making sure that all of the air bubbles are out from underneath the print. Make sure to smooth it down really well and push out any air bubbles that might be underneath, because over time they can expand. The final product looks really great for the small amount of money that this project costs. Good luck!
Do you think I valid paint on the Mod Podge to creatively eliminate something in an otherwise great photo?
I made this following your instructions yesterday and it turned out great! The hardest part was figuring out how to a fix it to the wall.
Before u put the Mod Podge on top of the photo do u let the photo dry on the wood first. Please text me at 303-324-2390 with ur reply as I broke my leg and unable to get downstairs where our computer is.
Do u let the photo on the wood dry first before u put the Mod Podge on top of the photo? Could u text me with ur reply at 303-324-2390 as I broke my leg and unable to get downstairs where our computer is?
I just came across your blog. I am planning a project for the holidays for my parents. Which picture finish is better to use for this project? Glossy or Matte? Thank you for your help
I was looking for ideas to put a crest on wooden coasters, these were for a friend to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Womens Royal Naval Service. I googled “sticking photos on wood” and up came your excellent tutorial. I have today ordered the Mod Podge and can’t wait to start the project. Many thanks. Denzil Bell
What type of paint did you use? Me and my boyfriend want to do this project but as a collage instead of a single photo. And would you recommend the matte mod podge or gloss? I am wanting to do this project this weekend so if you could please get back with me as soon as possible that would be great. Thank you!
Hi there, I would like to make one of these and was wondering if your photo were copied on photo paper or copy paper? Thanks
It was on photo paper. 🙂