DIY | Picture Filled Initial

As always with my crafts, I see these things on Pinterest and think "yea I can do that". What I tend to forget is how big of a perfectionist I am and that I have to let that go when creating things or trying them out for the first time. I had to keep reminding myself with this project especially but you will see what I'm talking about when I point it out. hehe

Items for your DIY Picture Filled Initial

Initial letter: I found this one at Hobby Lobby for $6.99 and it was 40% off... the husband was happy.

Pictures: Because I just have to be different, I ordered mine from walmart online. When you sign up, they give you 25 free so I got about 60 pictures for like 7 dollars in an hour time frame.

Paper cutter: I had to have this because I'm a child and can't cut in a straight line.

Scissors: For the little things that your cutting board can't help with

Modge Podge: I used the Matte finish one although I still havent figured out the difference between it and the glossy....

Paint brushes: For the wood stain I used a regular bristle paint brush, but for the modge podge I used the sponge brushes. I just like them best for the

Wood stain: I used minwax wood finish Red Oak 215...Don't get it at Michaels. Go to walmart. It was $4.99 at walmart and $11 at Michaels. No thanks.

Gloves: Trust me and use gloves. I even put on a long sleeve shirt half way through because my left arm looked like I had chicken pox.

 

The Steps to your finished product:

Step 1: I took the big initial and the wood stain outside (per the husbands request) and started to stain it. I started with the outside edges and then worked my way to the top. I put on a light coat to cover it, let it sit for about 25 minutes, then took a cloth and wiped all the excess stain off. (the stain can told me to). I decided to let mine dry over night because I met my mom and sister for some shopping. haha.

Step 2: Sort out your pictures and decide on how you are going to place them. I had trouble with this because my initial thought was to do engagement pictures on one side and wedding pictures on the other but I just couldn't make it work that way so they all got mixed together on our letter.

Step 3: Begin cutting and placing your pictures. This got a little tedious because of my OCD and my desire for everything to be even. One of the reasons I stained the picture was in case there were blank spots and there will be. Just take a break and let it all go. hehe

Step 4: When all of your pictures are placed on there, and you are happy with the arrangement, take off a few at a time, add modge podge, and then place them on top of your modge podge. Don't use too much modge podge because you pictures will wrinkle. Just a light coat will do.  As you are placing them, hold them in place for like 5 seconds to make sure that they stick. Continue until all of your pictures are glued to the letter.

Step 5: Give it about 5 minutes to just sit there, then take a bigger sponge brush and lightly go over all the pictures with careful, even strokes. You want to make sure there are not big globs of the podge (yes I gave it a nickname) on any of your pictures so that it tries flat with no wrinkles.

Step 6: Let dry for about 10 minutes and you have a beautiful picture initial. YAY You!

 

 

 

Original Pin:

Source: riddlepe20.newsvine.com via Ashley on Pinterest