makezine.com: DIY Photo Block

DIY Photo Block

by Natalie Zee Drieu
February 02, 2007

For a fast and fun project, the DIY Photo Block Kit from Photojojo is a great way to make quick gifts for friends and loved ones. The kit comes with everything you need to make 2 photo blocks, so you can make one for yourself too! Each photo block perfectly fits a standard 4X6 sized photo.

This year for Valentine's Day, why not make it extra special and capture a favorite photo or memory by making a photo block. I chose this special photo of my grandmother from the 1940s to give as a gift to my dad, since it's his favorite photo of her.

Here's what comes inside the kit:

8 woodblocks
1 jar of glue
1 foam brush
1 piece of sandpaper
Instructions
1 peppermint candy (yum!)

Here's what you need:

1 4X6 photo
1 pencil
1 ruler
1 X-Acto knife or scissors

I also recommend getting a cutting mat to work on, which will help with measuring and cutting while protecting the surface of your table. They come in all sorts of sizes, and I happen to love the large mat that covers most of my table area. Puts me in that crafting mood!

To begin, take your photo face-down and line it up on your mat. This is when you will want to measure exactly, to make sure each part of the photo fits. Take one of the blocks, and position it kitty-corner to the top left of the photo to make sure it is aligned correctly. Make a small mark on the photo with your pencil where the block meets the photo at the right side and bottom. Next, use your ruler and align it along your marks as well as on your mat grid. This will help you get precise measurement. Use your pencil and draw the middle lines for the photo. Put the blocks on the photo and make sure it all aligns perfectly.

Now take your ruler and X-Acto knife and cut along your lines. I like using an X-Acto knife because it cuts a nice, clean, straight line. You can use scissors too if you are better with them.

If necessary, use the sandpaper to sand down the rough edges.

Take one of the block pieces, and use the foam brush to apply a thin coat of glue on it. Make sure you get the corners, but also make sure you don't get any glue on your fingers or else you'll be sure to get them on the photo.

Take your photo piece and lay it on your block, aligning it from the inside of the photo (i.e., if you are doing the top left piece, make sure the right and bottom right are flushed to the ends). This just makes sure every part of the photo will be flushed when you place the 4 blocks together. After you've completed one block, repeat the same for the next 3 blocks.

Here's the block finished, both flushed together and apart. The block can go just about anywhere -- on the bookshelf, coffee table, whatever you want. Wrap it up and give your gift with love!

Discussion

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Love this idea...
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Do you need a 4x6 that is basically like a portrait? It seems you would in order to make the 4 blocks even. I've ordered the kit and I'm having a difficult time choosing which photo to use. Any feedback would be helpful.
Posted by areid1981 on February 14, 2007 at 06:10:23 Pacific Time

Love this idea...
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I think a portrait or nature shot would work really well for these blocks. It doesn't have to be black and white. You can look at the photojojo.com site for more inspiration on photos to use.

You can always do a color (or even b&w) photo copy on your printer and cut it in 4 pieces to see how it looks. That is a great way to test it out before you actually slice up your nice photos.

- natalie

Posted by nataliezee on February 14, 2007 at 12:14:00 Pacific Time