Interchangeable Photo/Quote/Recipe Block

I thought you might possibly be interested in making these blocks for yourself or for gifts maybe?  I didn't officially add it all up, but I think they only cost around $1 each...which is really not too bad!

So what are they for?  You can use the blocks to show off family photos (including snapshots that get tucked away and are forgotten about), quotes, recipes, kids spelling lists, dinner menu, grocery list, scripture of the day, thought of the day, joke of the day, alphabet cards, picture of Grandpa and Grandma, kids drawings or handouts they bring home from church etc., pretty much anything you can clip on!

The photo blocks can easily be personalized.  There are endless possibilities that can be created by using different styles of scrapbook paper and embellishments.  Plus, it's just plain fun to come up with new looks!

  Alphabet Printable at Sprik Space and loads of cute free printables!

Printable Recipe Here

 

Go to Sprik Space for LOTS of cute and free printables.

Printable L.D.S. Articles of Faith Cards at Simply Fresh Designs

 and free black and white Temple prints at Lil' Luna.

Supplies

2 x 8 board cut into a square (7 1/4" x 7 1/4" x 2)

Electric Sander and Sandpaper

Hot Glue Gun

1 1/4" Binder Clip

Paint and Foam Brush

Distress Ink (Dark Walnut)

Mod Podge

Scrapbook Paper 1-two sided sheet or 2 coordinating papers

Ribbon, jute, etc.

Embellishment for the clip

 Want to make one?  Here's how you do it:

1. The blocks measure 7 1/4" x 7 1/4" x 2".  They are cut from a 2x8.  I know, confusing right?  When you look for a board, set it on the floor, pick up one end of it and then put your eyes right up to the board to look down it to see if it's straight.  You will probably need to dig through the boards to find the best ones.  I used pine because it's cheap.

2. Sand the block with an electric sander to take off the rough edges. Wipe down with a damp paper towel.

3. Paint the block and let dry.  I bought a sample of black paint at Lowe's for $3 and I love how it went on.  I thought it was so much better than craft paint.  The Lowe's employee mixed it with extra black because I wasn't going to prime the board--worked like a charm!

4. When the paint is dry sand the edges and corners to take off some of the black paint.  Wipe down with a damp paper towel

5. Cut out the scrapbook paper just smaller than the block.  The top piece should measure @ 6 5/8" x 5"  and the bottom piece should be cut at @ 6 5/8" x 2".

6. Run a distressing ink pad around the edges of the paper.  I found it worked well to smear the ink into the paper with my finger before it dried.

7. With a foam brush, brush the Mod Podge onto the front of the block.  Press the scrapbook paper on and press the paper down with your fingers to remove any air bubbles.  Let dry.

8. Brush a layer of Mod Podge onto the top of your paper.  After it's applied, run a dry brush across it in the opposite direction of the brush lines to create a mat effect.  You can also scrunch up a plastic sack and gently dab the glue with it to give it a canvas look.  Let Dry.

My sister had the ingenious idea to use a ribbon to glue the clip on.  I was trying to think of a way to attach the clip so there wouldn't be concerns that it might pop off after a few uses (I hate it when things like that happen, I never seem to get around to fixing them) and also so I didn't have to pay for a tube of expensive glue.  When I called her, she had the perfect solution, just run the ribbon through it!

9. Run your ribbon through a 1" binder clip, fold the ends under, pull the two ends together and hot glue in the center back top of the block.  The top of the clip should be even with the top of the wood.  This allows you to pull the clip away from the board to switch out the photos.

 

10. Hot glue an embellishment onto the front of the clip if you'd like.  The firetruck is a button from a scrapbooking store, it came in a package of 6 different vehicles for $2.49.

11. Use some ribbon, jute, fabric, whatever you like to hide paper seam and wrap it around the block, overlapping it by 1" in the back.  Hot glue in place.  The white ribbon, pictured above, was Mod Podged on, it worked really well.

12. Clip on your favorite family photo, recipe, quote, whatever you like.

The ladies at my church will be making these photo blocks at our Craft Night next week, so I'll be busy for the next few days getting everything all ready to go.  It should be fun!

I searched around for some inspiration, looking for things that I liked about other photo blocks, before making these.  Check out the posts below for some great ideas!

Today's Fabulous Finds...

 Make Your Own Wood Block Photo Frames / Note Holders {Simple Picture Displays} 

at Under the Table and Dreaming

Easy Photo Blocks and Tiles

at Little Birdie Secrets

Count Your Blessings Board

at Lil' Luna

Photo Block Tutorial

at Shanty 2 Chic

Wood Photo Blocks

Free print at Poppies at Play

Linking up here:

The Idea Room  I Heart Naptime  Under the Table and Dreaming  Funky Junk Interiors  Just A Girl

Tator Tots and Jello  Creations by Kara  My Repurposed Life  The Shabby Nest

'Lil Luna  Fingerprints on the Fridge   Finding Fabulous