Scrapbooking: Creating Unique Photo Gifts
If you’re like most scrapbookers, you’ve probably amassed a large collection of patterned papers and embellishments. Put those extra supplies to good use by creating unique photo gifts for your friends and family. Photo gifts make great presents for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, baby showers, and other special occasions.
Personalized Coffee Mug
If you’re looking for a simple and inexpensive gift idea, consider designing a personalized coffee mug.
Supplies:
- Coffee mug with removable insert
- Patterned paper
- Photos of your choice
- Stickers, rubber stamps, or other flat embellishments
- Adhesive
Instructions:
- Unscrew the top of your mug to remove the current insert. Trace the shape on the patterned paper of your choice.
- Design a mini scrapbook layout that reflects the interests of your gift recipient. Stickers and rubber stamps are the best embellishments to use for this project, since bulky items will make the insert too big for your container.
- Insert the finished design back into the mug.
- Write a quick note to your gift recipient reminding him or her that the mug is waterproof, but not dishwasher safe.
Photo Wreath
A wreath is a thoughtful one-of-kind scrapbook photo gift idea. You can create a photo wreath with a seasonal theme or design a general wreath that the recipient can enjoy throughout the year.
Supplies:
- Plain wreath
- Ribbon
- Assorted photos
- Patterned paper
- Adhesive
- Large circle or square paper punch
- Small anywhere hole punch
- Eyelets
Instructions:
- Use your circle or square paper punch to crop your photos to the correct size.
- Adhere the photos to the patterned paper or cardstock of your choice.
- Use your anywhere hole punch to punch a small hole in the top of your photo embellishment.
- Add an eyelet for reinforcement.
- Thread ribbon through the hole, then tie the photo to your wreath.
- Repeat steps 1-5 as necessary to decorate the entire wreath.
Photo Cube
A grown up version of the wooden blocks children love to play with, photo cubes make great decorations that can complement almost any style of home décor. They’re also much more fun to display than traditional picture frames!
Supplies:
- Plain wooden blocks
- Patterned papers in coordinating designs
- Family photos
- Rub on words and/or small designs
- Paper trimmer
- Decoupage adhesive
- Foam paintbrush
- Brayer
- Fine grit sandpaper
Instructions:
- Measure and trim your patterned paper so you have one piece for each side of your block. The paper should be approximately 1/8 inch larger than the dimensions of your block.
- Apply paper to your block with the foam paintbrush and decoupage adhesive. Use the brayer to smooth out any air bubbles.
- Let dry for about 10 minutes.
- Smooth out rough edges with fine grit sandpaper.
- Repeat steps 1-4 as needed until all sides of the block are covered.
- Adhere photos to your block.
- Add rub ons for embellishment.
- If desired, coat the entire block with a thin layer of decoupage adhesive for added durability.
