Easy Instagram Photo Ornaments

Easy Instagram Photo Ornaments

I said I would never do it.  “There’s no way I’m creating another social media account” I said.  Between my family, my job, and the blog, I’ve got too much to keep up with.

Then I ate my words, gave in and started an account on Instagram.  Now I’m hooked!  It’s such a quick and fun way to document daily life in photos (by the way if you’re on Instagram follow me here!)

The awesome thing about Instagram is it provides tons of great photos to use for crafts, home decor and gifts!

Last year I made these adorable Instagram ornaments.  I gave most of them away as gifts to the grandparents and they were a huge hit!  I liked them so much I kept one for myself.

Easy Instagram Photo Ornaments Supplies:

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• Mod Podge in matte finish
• black acrylic paint
• 4×4 Instagram photo prints
• 4.5 inch square craft wood
• small foam roller and a foam brush
• Sharpie paint pen in fine or extra fine point (I used a medium point sharpie that I already owned and found that too big)
• decorative ribbon
• craft glue or a glue gun

How To Make Easy Instagram Photo Ornaments:

Paint the wood blocks with a thin layer in the color of your choice.  I chose black since it helps the photos be the center of attention.  (and because I already had it on hand!)

Paint the entire back side and edges of the wood pieces and then set them on wax paper to dry.

Once the paint is dry, turn the wood pieces over and paint the edge of the front just enough to cover the space the photos wouldn’t reach  (as pictured below)

Ensure the paint is completely dry before doing the next steps.  You don’t want the paint to bleed on to your photos!  I waited about an hour for all the painted surfaces to completely dry.

Using the flat foam brush, spread a thin layer of Mod Podge on top of wood block to “glue” the photo on to the wood.  Gently press the photo on to the wood ensuring photo is straight.  

Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge with the flat foam brush over the whole photo all the way to the edge of the wood.

You want to have enough Mod Podge on top to make the photo look slightly milky but not opaque, like this:

Next take the DRY foam roller and slowly roll it over the Mod Podge to create a matte texture over the photo.  If there are bubbles that appear after rolling, you have too much Mod Podge on the surface.  If that’s the case, wipe off some of the excess and then roll again with the dry roller.

By the way, isn’t it cool how the roller creates that texture over the photo?  

Next, let the project dry completely on wax paper.

After the ornaments dry, decorate with the metallic sharpie and glue on the ribbon.  

Now you’ve got a beautiful ornament that also makes the perfect gift!

This fun project was shared at: Tutorials and Tips, Think and Make Thursday, Craft Frenzy Friday, Tidy Mom, Family Fun Friday, The Christmas Link Up, Link Party Palooza, Weekend Wind Down, and Project Inspire{d}