Need a new photo gift idea for Christmas? How about a DIY Photo Desk Organizer?
DIY Photo Desk Organizer
This organizer will hold three pens and has a photo or holiday message on each side.
Supplies:
- Plaid Folk Art Paint
- White card stock
- Printer
- Matte Mod Podge
- Drill and 1/2 inch Paddle Bit
- Any embellishments
- Light grain sandpaper
- Small sponge
- 4×4 wooden block (purchase at AC Moore or Michaels)
Begin by finding the middle of the block. Mark this with a pencil.
Next, measure and mark the top of the block for the holes. I drilled three holes, each about an inch apart. Measure with a pencil where to drill the holes. Measure twice and cut once!
Using a paddle bit, carefully drill the holes over the pencil marks. The wood is thin, so be careful!
Use sandpaper around the holes to smooth out any rough areas.
Break out the Plaid Folk Art paint. I made one block in red and one in a lovely gold. Paint the entire box. I did three coats of paint (I let them each dry individually before continuing with another coat). Let all coats dry completely.
Print off the photos in black and white. Be sure to use cardstock, not photo paper. I tried to use photo paper at first, but even after drying overnight, the ink smeared when I attempted to apply the Mod Podge. The photos on the cardstock did not smear with normal Mod Podge application. Let the photos dry completely. I printed 3 1/2 by 5 photos.
Trim the photos down to around a 3″ by 3″ size. Play around with the size to get the ideal size for your block and photo.
Begin with one side of the block. Apply a layer of Mod Podge. Smooth one of the photos over the Mod Podge. Use the Mod Podge Professional Brayer to secure the photo. Let this dry, then carefully apply a layer of Mod Podge over the photo with a sponge (pay attention to secure the outside edges of the photo). Let dry carefully.
Continue the same steps around each side of the block. Or change it up with an embellishment. I tried a Mod Podge Podgeable gift tag shape for one side (and included the year) on the red block. On the gold block, I cut out a vinyl year and placed it at the bottom of the block.
It Happens in a Blink: The timeframe for this project is about one hour, not including drying time for paint.
Letting the little ones help: This is primarily an adult DIY project.
I’m also loving these DIY Gifts for $20 or less from some of my favorite bloggers!
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- Kirsten’s Glittery Utensil Gift Set
- Sky’s Simple Fleece Face Guards
- Marilyn’s Individual Peppermint Solid Sugar Scrubs
- Kara’s DIY Necklace Holder
- Kadie’s Easy Crochet’s Hot Pads
- Nancy’s DIY Wedding Photo Canvas Print
That is super cute!
Those turned out great!
So fun! I’d love for you to share this or any of your great ideas at the link party going on now (and every Saturday – Tuesday)at ‘Or so she says …’ http://www.oneshetwoshe.com
What a great idea! I actually have four of these in my drawer as I type this!
I love how this came out!
Such a cute project!
so cute!! would make a great gift for my mum and dad! pinned!!
This is GREAT! My husband would LOVE to get something like this to put on his desk at work! 😀
This are fabulous! I love the personal touch the photos add. 🙂
Wow, these would make great grandparent gifts! I love this type of craft – super functional and so much potential for creativity too!
I love it! What a great gift idea, Melanie!
I once bought all the materials to do a photo cube using mod podge – never got around to it —- sigh. THIS however having a purpose, now that may motivate me!
I agree with the comments above – – you hit the ball out of the park with this one in terms of achieving function ANd beauty. Well done!
This is super cute. I need to make one for my desk at school! Thanks for the great tutorial!!
Thanks for stopping by!
This is such a cute idea! I’m thinking my husband would love this for his desk at work.