Scrapbook WAHM

Digital photography has enhanced our ability to capture memorable moments in so many ways. It allows us to take as many shots as we need to get the perfect one without having to worry about running out of film. It makes it easy to crop and touch up our photos. And it provides opportunities to create beautiful crafts featuring our favorite photos.

From the age-old technique of decoupage to creating digital scrapbooks, making things out of beloved photographs never goes out of fashion. We can create cherished keepsakes for ourselves, and we can make unforgettable gifts for our friends and loved ones. Here are some crafts you can create using your favorite pictures.

* Photo t-shirt - An item of clothing that features photos of those we care about is easy to make. There are several printing programs that you can install on your computer to design and print iron-ons. Once you’ve created your masterpiece, you can print it onto iron-on paper and transfer it to a t-shirt or other piece of clothing. Add some fabric paint, studs or rhinestones, and you’ve got a one-of-a-kind garment.

* Collage jewelry box - Jazz up a plain jewelry box with photos of yourself and your loved ones. Just crop some favorite shots, adhere them as you like with Mod Podge, and let dry. Add embellishments or paint designs between pictures, and once everything is dry and as you like it, coat the whole thing with Mod Podge.

* Photo calendar - Everyone uses calendars, so why not create a family calendar to give as a holiday gift? You can create one digitally using your favorite printing program and print multiple copies to give to all of your family members. Or if you like scrapbooking, you could use your scrapping skills to make beautifully embellished and unique calendars.

* Photo quilt - Handmade quilts make wonderful gifts, and when you add cherished photos, they become even more special. You can create iron-ons using the computer for this purpose, but they tend to make the fabric stiff. If you prefer your quilting fabric to be soft, you can buy special paper-backed fabric that you can run through your printer to make quilting squares. There are also products you can use to treat your own fabric to use for printing if you like.

* Photo clock - Making a personalized photo clock is very easy. All you need is a clock movement, an old CD, photos and other decorations, and Mod Podge or glue. You use the CD as the clock face, decorating it as you please. You can whip these up in no time, so they make great holiday gifts.

Using photos is a great way to make personalized items for yourself or to give as gifts. The things you can make are limited only by your imagination. With a digital camera, computer, and photo printer, you can add photos to almost anything.