Grandmom, my husband’s grandmother, recently turned 95 and had a birthday bash. She is an amazing woman with great stories to tell. Grandmom still corresponds with dozens of family and friends via mail. We love getting letters and cards from her. For her milestone birthday, I used Mod Podge to create large photo wood numbers that also doubled as decor for her party.
{Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post}
Supplies:
- Two 16 inch baltic birch wooden numbers from Craft Cuts
- Mod Podge in gloss finish
- Folk Art Multi-surface Acrylic Paint in pure black
- foam brushes
- X-ACTO knife
- black and white photos
- self healing mat (I used my Creative Memories mat)
This project requires some prep work. First I had to find photos of Grandmom from throughout her life. My mother-in-law supplied me with a lot of photos. Some of the photos were already digital but there were many were scanned. I also had photos from all the times we have visited with her since before I was married. I edited and converted the pictures to black and white using Photoshop. Don’t worry if you don’t know how to use Photoshop. Most photo printing websites have the option to edit the photo and change it to black and white online before printing. Second, I ordered my wooden numbers from Craft Cuts two weeks before I needed them. This allowed time for the custom creation of my numbers and shipping. The options for my numbers were:
- Font: Arial Black
- Height: 16 inches
- Thickness: 1/2 inch
I chose the font for the numbers because of its wide width. The wider the font, the more photos I can add to it. The letters arrived securely package and ready to be painted. I didn’t have to do any additional sanding.
My kids wanted to help make the gift. They used foam brushes and painted the wood with black acrylic paint.
They take their work seriously as you can see from the look of concentration on their faces. The paint was quick to dry but I didn’t use the painted numbers until a few days later.
I decided to put the photos taken earlier in Grandmom’s life on the 9 and the later photos on the 5. I laid the photos out on each number, took a photo and then printed the photo out in 8.5×11 size. I referenced the printout later when adhering the photos to the wood numbers.
I removed the photos and started working with the Mod Podge. Mod Podge was generously applied with a foam brush underneath each photo as adhesive. The printout of the laid out design in the top left of the photo below.
After all the photos are placed, I turned the number over and place it on a self healing mat. An X-ACTO knife was used to cut the photos along the edge of the numbers.
When all the photos were trimmed, I used a foam brush to paint a top coat of Mod Podge over the photos. I applied a second coat of Mod Podge after the first coat dried.
My kids and I weren’t able to travel out of state with my husband for Grandmom’s birthday party so I took a picture of the the kids holding her photo wood numbers for him to take with him.
If you are looking for more birthday party decor or gift ideas, check out my 40th birthday photo collage.
The photo wood numbers look great on a shelf or table for the birthday party decor.
You could add hardware on the back and hang them on the wall. Create these photo wood numbers for other occasions like anniversaries or use wooden letters for creative photo decor in your home. Happy crafting.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. That means if you order through the links I receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting Simply Kelly Designs.
Hi Kelly,
Does it matter what type of mod podge? You mentioned glossy, could satin work? I have never used this product but doing the same project here.
Thanks,
Kim
I have only used mod podge a few times so I am not sure. There are many different kinds.
Hi Kelly, I ordered a wooden number 7 and want to do a collage for son’s graduation party. With sports color photos. I only have a couple of days any advice?
Hi Jane. That sounds like a great idea for a graduation party. I would definitely layout the pictures on the number ahead of time so you know if you have enough pictures. Good luck!
Do you know how long it takes for the paint to to dry on wood.
Did you print these at home, (on an inkjet) or have them done at a photo place?
I had them printed but you could definitely print them at home.
Hi I love this idea and have looked everywhere to see if I could use printed copies of pictures. I am not in anyway an artsy person so I don’t know what mod podge would do to the copies.
Thanks for any advice. Donna
Hi Donna. Yes, you can use printed copies as well. I think that is how most people do it. I just like using pictures. Good luck with your project.
Hi Kelly
We are celebrating my father in laws 90th this year with a big party at a fine banquet house and these numbers will look amazing as a centerpiece on the dessert table.
I can’t wait to make it….numbers are ordered and I am in process of selecting pictures to have printed.
Question: Matte or glossy?? Does it make a difference?
Thank you so very much for sharing for this amazing tutorial!
You are welcome Jenny! I think this project will make a great centerpiece. I used matte photos. Not sure if it matters.
hi Kelly! Quick question do you think it would look tacky with colored photos? Do you think I should choose the letter a thicker width in order for the, to be steady free standing? I don’t have a ton of time but hopefully I could get this project done. I have no idea what to buy for an 80 year old that has everything. Thanks for the awesome idea. Leslie
Hi Leslie. You can try laying out colored photos to see what you think. I did it in black and white because a lot of the older pictures were black and white. If you look on the craft cuts site, they have different numbers that are meant to be free standing. The ones I made have to be hung or leaned against something. Good luck!
Did you use actual photographs or copies/prints? I love this idea & want to make these for family, but won’t have enough pics & don’t want to lose all my originals.
Thank you!
Laurie
Hi Laurie. I used real photos. The non-digital ones were scanned and then printed. I did not use any original photos.
Thank you! I can’t wait to try this. I’m now addicted to that wood site! 🙂
This is such a nice keepsake idea! It’s so great that your kids helped to create it too.
I did a similar thing for my mom and grandma a few years ago when my granpda passed away, but I did his name and “dad”–everyone loves them so much! It’s a cute way to show off pictures without frames. I love that your kids are so crafty…I have a feeling mine will be forced to be, too 🙂 Also, happy 95th birthday to your husband’s grandmother!
Thanks Brittany! Your project sounds like a wonderful way to remember your grandpa.