Last week, I posted about the DIY Father’s Day photo collage I created.  I wanted to do something a little different than just framing it for my husband, so I decided to mount it to a wood block.  It’s an easy project that looks impressive, and I’ll walk you through the steps to create your own DIY wood photo block below.  Here’s a sneak peek of the finished block!

Prepping the Wood Block

First, I started with a 4″ x 6″ cut of wood, but use whatever size of photo you plan to mount.  Lightly sand the edges and surfaces and then wipe it down.

I decided to paint it black, and I just used a spray paint I already had on hand.  I love spray paints that have the primer built in!  Feel free to coordinate the paint color with the photo you’ll be mounting, or you could even stain the wood.

I applied 3 light coats of spray paint, waiting just a few minutes in between each coat.  I didn’t bother painting the side laying face-down on the cardboard, since I knew the photo would cover that whole side up.

Here it is after drying for a day.  Remember – the other side is just the raw wood (unpainted).

With a piece of very fine grit sandpaper, I lightly sanded all of the edges and corners to give it a little more character (totally optional!).

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Applying the Photo to the Block

I love Mod Podge!  It’s seriously one of my favorite crafting supplies because it has so many uses.  In this project, it serves as both a glue and a sealer.

Using a foam brush, I applied Modge Podge evenly across the entire unpainted side of the wood block.  Then I placed the photo on it and made sure it was lined up with the edges of the block.  When I was happy with the placement, I put a heavy book on top of it to ensure the photo dried flat on the block.

After letting that dry for about 30 minutes, I applied a thin layer of Modge Podge on top of the photo with the foam brush.  I used long strokes going all the way across the photo, and I was careful to not get it on the wood sides.  [The spray paint was semi-gloss and the Modge Podge was matte, so they have different finishes.]  Not only does this give the photo a cool texture, but it also protects the photo from fingerprints.

After the first coat of Modge Podge dried for about 30 minutes, I applied a second thin coat on top of it.  Below is a photo of the block after it dried, and I captured some glare on it so you can see the texture it created.

You could also apply some decorative/scrapbook paper to the back and/or sides of the block using Modge Podge to give it a really custom look.

Loving the DIY Wood Photo Block

Here’s the finished wood photo block.  Doesn’t it look great?  I love that the wood is thick enough to stand on its own.  It has the look of a canvas, but it’s much heavier and sturdier.

And here it is on my husband’s bedside table.  It’s the perfect size!

I can think of so many uses for this project, whether for gifts or for adding to your home decor.  This would look great in bigger sizes too, and you could even apply a printable quote instead of a photo.  What will you display with a wood photo block?