A Special Christmas Present

Are you looking for a different Christmas present this year, one that is unique and will be cherished all year?

Then try this:

A collage, now before you hit the back button, just take a few minutes to see how this is made, then decide:

Go through your photo albums, and or those box of extra photographs you have hanging around. Pick lots of pictures, that would mean something to the recipient of your gift.

Lightly tape them to a blank piece of paper and photo copy them in black and white. You will need lots of photographs, so fit as many as you can on one page to keep the copying costs down.

Now find yourself a plain wood frame, that could frame a mirror. You determine the size, keeping in mind, the bigger the frame the more photographs you will need to copy.

Now, start cutting out your black and white copies, and mix them up on the table. Make yourself a glue, by mixing white glue with some water, just about 1/2 and 1/2, or purchase decoupage medium from the craft store. Starting with a small area at a time, paint your plain wood frame with some glue and also the back of any picture and glue it to the frame, then paint glue right over the picture, using a small foam brush and make sure to push out any air bubbles.

Start overlapping pictures and make sure to wrap around the edges of the frame, and fill in any small blank wood areas with plain white paper. Fit as many pictures as you can, overlapping as you go.

Once you have completely covered your frame with pictures, let it dry. Then give your frame at least 2 coats of water based varathane (if you use oil based varathane, it will yellow the white in the paper). Put your mirror in the frame, and there is your perfect Christmas gift this year!

Your loved one, will be reminded of good times, every time they look in the mirror, and if you put enough pictures on the frame, there will be endless fun finding new areas to look at every day. It also has a great black and white effect, which is not to busy or gaudy.

I have one in my bathroom, with many family members, my kids, and more. It is like a diary on the mirror. I get a kick out of it every time I brush my teeth!

You can make these any size, and these make great Christmas gifts, and are a great way to display old photographs. Better get started!