Hey There! This post is long over due! Back in August I made this cute DIY picture block made out of wood for my Mimi’s birthday. This is an easy DIY gift idea!

When I was little my mom bought a plastic picture block and put pictures of all my grandparents in it. Each side had a picture of one of my grands on it. Yes, I had that many grandparents and great-grandparents! I always thought it was so cool and wanted my Mimi to have one with her great-grandkids on it. I decided to take it up a notch and make one out of wood. The best part, it cost me less than  $10 make!

Isn’t it cute? Well of course it is. All of those cuties on there are my babies. 😉 I know, I know, PROUD MOM!!!

Here is how I made it:

I bought 3 packages of craft wood squares at Hobby Lobby. You can get them for around $1.99 and 2 come in a package. You will need 6 total(3 packages). They have different sizes, so you the option to make them any size you want. You could use wood scraps if you wanted to but it would make your block heavier. These are super thin and great for this type of project.

I used Gorilla Wood Glue and glued all 4 sides together to make a box. I then measured the top and bottom to determine if I needed to trim the pieces to fit. I marked where I needed to trim them and cut them down.(Sorry I don’t have a picture)

Once the glue was dry, I stained the block with Rustoleum’s Dark Walnut. You could use paint as well!

After the stain dried I lightly sanded the edges to give it a worn look. 

I used 4 different pictures for each side. Before I printed the pictures I added my kiddos names to each picture and we love you on the group picture. I used Photoshop.  If you don’t have Photoshop you could download Gimp. Best part is its FREE! You could use other programs as well if you have them.

I used Mod Podge with the antique matte finish to apply the pictures to the sides.

 On the top I added scrapbook paper with a heart I cut out with my Circut. On the bottom I wrote her a handwritten message with a silver sharpie. You could always use pictures on the top and bottom instead.

My Mimi loved it and I loved seeing her face light up when she opened it. She lives a few hours away and we don’t get to see her much.  She is the loveliest lady I know and her strength amazes me everyday!

Now, I say It cost me less than $10. The only thing I had to buy was the wood.  I already had the glue, stain, Modge Podge, and sand paper. I printed the pictures at home on thick glossy paper. If you don’t have all those things the cost would be more. 

~Christen