• Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Services
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Meal Plan
  • Shop
    • Shop Now
    • Cart
    • Checkout
    • Return Policy
    • My Account
  • Food
  • Family
  • Finances
  • Fundamentals
You are here: Home / Fundamentals / Homemade Photo Gift (For The Un-Crafty)

by Jessica Smartt  12 Comments

Homemade Photo Gift (For The Un-Crafty)

Need a frugal Christmas gift? I have a great little craft for you today!

But wait!!!! Come back!! If you don’t bleed sparkles and glitter or needlepoint in your sleep, have no fear! Anyone can do this!

How do I know that? Oh, because I’m the most un-artsy mom God ever made. If you don’t believe me, look at my living room. I can cook. I can blog, I can remain calm when someone throws up on me (which truly is a skill to be noted). But crafts? And decorating? And scrap-booking? Oh, stop! Just stop.

Y’all, if I say this is easy, it’s easy. And it turned out great!

Here’s what you need for your photo gift:

  • a piece of wood, in a nice shape (we found inexpensive ones at Hobby Lobby)
  • all-purpose acrylic paint
  • sponge brushes
  • matte-finish Mod Podge (I think of this as a fancy-shmancy Elmer’s glue.)
  • a printed picture  (I used a 4 x 6)
  • sandpaper (optional)
  • a mounting bracket

Here’s how you do it:

1

First, find a group of friends. Everything is cheaper in bulk, and it’s just way more fun to do crafts with others. My cousin (who is the artsy one) rounded up all the supplies for us ahead of time. Then we each picked out a frame.

Then we chose our paint color. My cousin pointed out that I should probably go with a color that was actually in my picture, instead of the hot pink and purple I was drawn to. Go figure.

3

Then paint your frame. If you tend to be a bit messy (ahem) you may want to lay down some newspaper or plastic tablecloth prior.

Once it’s painted, you have to wait. If you’re doing this alone, go do laundry, or something else boring like sweeping the kitchen for the 86th time today. But, of course if you’re with your friends, you can just go have some appetizers.

I think you know which is the right answer.

Okay, once the paint is dry, you may want to “antique” it. Don’t worry, I didn’t really know how to do this, either. Apparently it means you rub the edges with some fine sandpaper.

6

I got really good at it. See how fast I’m moving? Crazy, I know.

Now it’s time to place your picture on the frame. Dab your sponge in Mod Podge and use it like glue on the back of the picture, then arrange.

7

After that, you’re going to do a thin layer of Mod Podge over the picture and the frame in horizontal strokes. In case you’re like me and have a heart attack because you think you’re ruining your picture, relax! It dries clear!

8

These are the mounting brackets we used. They have a sharp point, so you can just push them into the back of your picture once it’s all dry. No hammers needed!

Viola! Your picture gift is completed! Wasn’t that easy!? Here’s my finished product! (Aren’t they cute?)

finished product

 See…I told you it was easy.

Share this:

  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X

Other Posts You Might Like

About Jessica Smartt

Jessica Smartt is a former teacher who lives in beautiful North Carolina. She blogs at www.smarttereachday.com where she pokes fun at the everyday challenges of motherhood, shares all her amazing allergy-friendly recipes, and rejoices that God still loves her no matter what phobia she has recently developed. She is blessed beyond belief with two Smartt little boys and a husband who can fix anything.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the content above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I may receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Comment Policy: I love reading your thoughts and input on what you read here. I'm sure we'll disagree sometimes and that's okay! In those cases, do what's right for you and yours. As with any form of communication, only post comments that move the discussion in a positive direction.

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

Comments

  1. Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes says

    December 19, 2013 at 9:28 am

    I love this idea – and how easy it is! I’m such an uncrafter so I appreciate posts like this 🙂 THnaks so much for linking up to Freedom Fridays – I’ve pinned this!

    Reply
  2. Sarah Coller says

    December 16, 2013 at 9:17 am

    Great, simple idea! Thanks!

    Reply
  3. Cynthia L says

    December 14, 2013 at 5:37 pm

    Your frame turned out great! Can’t even tell you’re “not a crafter.” This would make a fun girls’ night project. Thank you for linking to the In and Out of the Kitchen Link Party. Hope to see you next week.

    Reply
  4. Elizabeth @ DogFur&Dandelions says

    December 12, 2013 at 10:02 am

    What a fun idea! Found you at Thrive@Home this morning. Have a blessed day!

    Reply
  5. Julie K says

    December 4, 2013 at 9:30 am

    Hi – I have done this on bathroom tiles. it works great you just cut the picture to fit the little square tiles. or use a big 5 x 7 photo and put on a bigger tile.

    Reply
  6. Mary says

    December 2, 2013 at 11:12 pm

    So cute!

    Reply
  7. Nikki Thornton says

    December 2, 2013 at 12:08 pm

    I love Modge Podge! Coolest stuff ever. ( :

    Reply
    • Jessica Smartt says

      December 2, 2013 at 5:49 pm

      It is! And so fun to say 🙂

      Reply
  8. Elizabeth Meadows says

    December 2, 2013 at 9:32 am

    Great idea and so simple even I could do it. The Grandparents are going to LOVE getting these for Christmas. Thank you so much for posting this!

    Reply
    • Jessica Smartt says

      December 2, 2013 at 5:49 pm

      I’m so glad! Yes, so simple! 🙂

      Reply
  9. PATRICIA says

    December 2, 2013 at 8:43 am

    Another idea on the last minute list! Thank you! Easy peazy! (mmm appetizers)

    Reply
    • Jessica Smartt says

      December 2, 2013 at 5:48 pm

      It is so easy! And mine turned out great! If mine looked great, ANYONE’S can look great 😉

      Reply


Hello! I’m Stacy!

I believe God created you to be the hero of your home. You CAN manage your home instead of it managing you. That’s why I empower women with simple solutions for their homemaking needs – because if it’s not easy, you won’t do it. {Read More…}

As Featured on the Dave Ramsey Show

Stuff You Really Should Check Out

home management course

© 2025 Myers Family Brands LLC · All Rights Reserved. · Privacy Policy

 

Loading Comments...