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SPOILER ALERT! If you're the grandparent of the children in this photo, turn away from your computer screen now! If it's too late, will you please e-mail me what size you'd like? Yes, this is what the grandparents are getting for Christmas this year. And you won't believe how cheap and easy (and fun) they were to make!

Photo Block Tutorial

What you'll need:

*Block of wood--ours measure about 5.5"x5.5"
*Acrylic paint or spray paint
*Acrylic gel stain (optional)
*Fine sandpaper
*Distressing file (optional--can use sandpaper instead)
*Foam brushes (at least one wide brush)
*Mod Podge
*Photo that will fit on your block (IMPORTANT-ink jet printed photos will not work. Get a professional print with a matte or lustre finish-not glossy!)
*Patterned paper
*Ribbon
*Ribbon slide or other embellishment (optional)

1. Cut and route your blocks. Stacy bought a board at Home Depot and they graciously cut it for her for free (although she thinks they weren't supposed to). Then her husband routed the edges, but this isn't necessary if you don't have access to a router. You could also check craft stores for pre-cut and sanded wood blocks. Paint your blocks--do a nice job on the sides and back. The front doesn't matter much. Sand the edges for a shabby look. I applied a gel stain on top of the sanded edges to finish them.


2. Cut your photo to fit on top. I started with a 5" wide photo. Using a foam brush, apply a layer of Mod Podge to the back of the photo. Place on block and smooth down with the side of your hand. Allow to dry about 10 minutes.


3. Using a distressing file or fine sandpaper, lightly sand the edges in a downward motion to make the photo become one with your block. Be careful not to rip the edges!


4. With a wide foam brush, apply a thick line of Mod Podge.


Brush across in a horizontal direction to cover photo with Mod Podge.


Then, WITHOUT applying more Mod Podge, brush in a vertical motion. This will give your photo some texture, like it's printed on a canvas.


Allow to dry about 15 minutes.


5. Measure and cut a piece of patterned paper for the bottom of your block. Using more Mod Podge, adhere it to the block. I didn't apply Mod Podge to the top of the paper, but you could if you wanted.


6. Attach coordinating ribbon, ric rac, or other trim around middle where photo and paper meet. This will hide the line. I used Glue Dots to stick my ribbon on, but a double-sided tape like Tacky Tape would work as well. I also used ribbon slides from Stampin' Up!'s Hodge Podge Hardware set to dress mine up. Making Memories used to make these, too, but they're getting harder to find!






That's it--you're done! The great thing about these blocks is that they stand up on their own. Instant home decor, and cheaper than a photo frame!


An alternative to the wood block is a tile, as in the ceramic tiles you find in home improvement stores. Thanks to our friend Andrea Sorensen for this great idea! Use the same technique used in the photo block tutorial (minus the painting and sanding). These range in size, but we like the 6"x6" tile, the 8"x10" tile, and the 12"x12" tile. You will need a small easel to hold your tile.

This is the 6x6 tile.


This is an 8x10 tile.



Here are a few that Stacy made on 6x6 tiles. I love the embellishments she used in place of the ribbon slides. You could use anything in place of them--buttons, flowers, bows, metal embellishments, monogram letters, chipboard accents. . .



Merry Christmas, Mom & Dad!

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I found these simple wood frames at Michael's for $1 each and decided they would make a quick and easy Christmas decoration or gift. They are already sanded and ready to paint, so I just gave my frame a couple quick coats of acrylic paint on the back and edges only. Then I traced the frame on a piece of patterned paper and cut it out. I used my best crafting friend, Mod Podge, to adhere the paper to the frame. When it had dried, I used an Exacto knife and a cutting mat to clean up the edges. I lightly sanded the edges, too. Then another coat of Mod Podge on top. I added a little felt sticker from Making Memories and voila! Ready to display this year's Christmas card photo. You really can't get much easier or cheaper for a custom photo frame!

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A while ago you may have seen buzz on different blogs about a free digital photography class offered by Jessica Sprague. Our curiosity was piqued so we signed up. We thought it would be fun to expand our crafty skills and try something new.

Wow. That is all we have to say. The classes were amazing and we had so much fun going through them.Take a look at some of our projects.

Remember this picture?


Look at what Mandy was able to do with it. She softened it up and used it on this sign. Isn't it lovely?



Here's my attempt at softening up a photo.


Here is a picture that is distressed a little. I also added some text so it looks like a postcard.

Here is another fun technique. I really enjoyed "painting" the color back into this picture.


Mandy loved this one so much she had it printed on blank cards to send as birthday cards.

Whether you're a complete photography novice, or know a little something about photo editing, Jessica Sprague's classes are easy to follow and so inspiring. We {heart} Jessica!

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As I was pondering over what to get my hubby for Father’s Day, I came across a link to Big Huge Labs' Make Your Own Motivational Poster in my inbox. I had my Eureka! moment and quickly went to work on the perfect gift for my sweetie. A little something for him to take to the office.


Now, you may be wondering why I chose such a sassy gift. Well, if you knew my husband you would totally understand. He’s going to love this. He’s not one of those warm and fuzzy types. He’s the jokester or the tease. He gets crazy and loves it. This picture was actually taken during a ski outing with a friend (also a father). Yup, that’s my dear husband. He’s the one that found the perfect photo op—the large rock with the drop off in the back. Oh, and he couldn’t stand posing with his skis and smile either. He had to go all Superman.

I always grumble about how am I supposed to keep our children from killing themselves before they hit 13 if he does crazy things too? *gasp* I know, I know…I am such a killjoy. I’m so glad my hubby likes adventures. He’s such a great dad. He’s the one that takes them skiing every weekend or splashing through the icy cold river. I have to say I am a little less adventurous. My kids have a richer life because of their dad. He’s taught them to be brave, have fun, and enjoy life. He balances me out and I love that. So, I know a lot of you have tons of great pictures out there. Check out Big Huge Labs' free motivational poster maker. Make something fun for your man in your life. Make it sweet or sentimental or just plain silly. They’ll love it.

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Giveaway #11

It's our last day of giveaways--can you believe it? This has been such a fun week for us. We're already looking forward to May's giveaway week!

This giveaway features a totally awesome photographer in the Seattle/Puyallup, WA area. Heather Mann Photography is fresh, colorful, and playful. Heather is pretty awesome herself--she even lists a few reasons why on her "my story" page. We love that she can touch her tongue to her nose. She would be so fun to work with! She has a fun blog, too. Check out some of her amazing work.

Just leave us a comment telling us who you would have Heather photograph and you could win! Entries must be received by Wednesday, April 29 at 11:59 pm PST.

If you don't win but still think Heather is awesome, you can get a free 8x10 for any future session with Heather Mann Photography just by mentioning this giveaway!

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We have our winner for the Tots and Tails photography package giveaway! The prize package goes to. . .


Yea for Tamis! Please send us an e-mail with your contact info so we can get you in touch with Haley.

So what about the rest of you? Just going to sit around and mope because you didn't win? No you're not, because Tot and Tails was so flattered by all your sweet comments that she's offering our readers a fabulous package as well!

Little Birdie Package:
$150 for 2 hours, plus an 8x10, as well as the CD of your images.

Just mention you saw it on Little Birdie Secrets when you book your session. You will love working with Haley--she is a sweetie. Thanks for such a great deal, Haley!

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Eastside Seattle photographer Tots and Tails is offering our local readers a great giveaway! Check out her site, then leave us a comment by Friday at 11:59pm to be entered to win the following Easter photography package:

*2-hour session
*Copyrights to a high resolution CD of your images with original color proofs
*20 enhanced photos in either sepia, black and white, or antique finish
*Free 11x14

Here are a few of our favorites from the Tots and Tails gallery. We love all her maternity shots!

Easter pictures are so fun--I love having more than one reason to get my kids dressed up in their Easter duds. If you live in the Redmond/Kirkland/Woodinville area or are willing to travel, leave us a comment for a chance to win a beautiful family portrait package!

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Whenever I am in Jackson, Wyoming or Sedona, Arizona, I love to stop in and watch the old time photographers. You know the ones. They dress you up in vintage western wear and take your picture. Then a million dollars later you have a beautiful sepia toned picture of you and your loved ones that looks just like it was taken 100 years ago. Well, this past year I discovered a Japanese Time Machine that gives you the same results, but for free. No need to fly yourself to a popular tourist attraction. Take note all you scrappers and altered art artists out there. The Bakamatsu Koshashin Generator allows you to use your current digital photos and turn them into pictures that look 100 to 150 years old. (Don't forget to click on "English" in the top right corner if you can't read Japanese!)

I had to see for myself how the pictures turn out. I altered a picture of me and my kiddos in Seattle taken this last fall. Mandy’s son thought we were in ancient China when he saw the picture. Imagine what you can do with this. Get your little ones all dressed up in their cowboy costumes and take pictures. Run them through the Bakamatsu Koshashin Generator and voila! Your own vintage picture. Does your hubby have a car that he just loves and adores? Send a picture of his car through the generator. You can do so much with this site. If you do make some beautiful art with this, we would love to see it!

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Last week, the three Little Birdies had a fun night out. Photographer Erik Christensen needed models for his Seattle Photography Associates photo shoot, so after much arm twisting (ha) we volunteered. We thought it would be fun to be in on the creative aspect of photography. Photography is a fun hobby that requires quite the creative eye, so it counts as being somewhat crafty, right?

The other models were quite intimidated by our fabulous good looks! Thanks to When for opening up her great studio. It was fun playing with the wind machine, bubble machine and lights. Wow, did we feel like rock stars.

If any local photographers need a photo shoot studio or a fashion photographer please contact When. Click here for more info:

This link also includes a link to the model section of the group, so if you are not interested in photography, but want to model, you can check it out.

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