DIY School Picture Collage

When I was a child, school started the week after Labor Day and we got out by Memorial Day. Summer seemed to last forever. And, I loved it! Now, school seems to start earlier every year. I don't know about the rest of the country, but the kids here in Georgia are already back in school. In my county, they already have a week of school under their belt!

Plus, when I was in school, there was only one picture day a year. Now there's a Fall picture day and a Spring picture day. So before you know it the kids will be fretting over what to wear for picture day! This project is a fun way to make those posed school pictures a little more unique.

Start by printing out the school picture. If you have an ink jet printer, the color may be altered. For this project, I don't mind that. If you don't want the color altered, have a copy made at an office supply store using a laser printer. If there is writing in the picture, print it out in reverse or the writing will end up backwards.

Generously cover a wooden panel with gel medium. You can find the wooden panels next to the canvas at your art supply store.

Lay the printed picture ink side down on the gel covered panel. Gently rub the paper to make sure it adheres to the panel.

Now...walk away!

This is the hardest part of the project. Allow the paper to cure for 24 hours. Once the waiting game is over, use a damp rag and gently start to rub the paper away from the panel.

Use a damp rag and wash on acrylic paint to the front of the panel around the picture.

I added wood stain to the sides of the panel. You could use the same paint you added to the front or use another color.

Now for the embellishments! Glue Scrabble tiles onto a Scrabble tile tray to spell out the child's name.

Glue the tray onto the panel.

You could center the tray but I glued the tray off center because I planned to add pencils to the right side of the panel.

I added a broken ruler across the top.

I filled the gap with a pretty cardboard flower with beads that I got at the craft store.

This is a fun project that the kids can get involved with. Start a gallery wall and see how their artwork changes as they change!

Linking To:

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