Today I have a simple little project that I recently completed for my parents.
They celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary on Friday. Don’t my parents look young?!?
This is a photo transfer that anyone, with the right materials, could easily accomplish.
Materials:
- Scrap piece of wood (my sister put an addition on her house, so that’s where mine came from)
- Photo photo-copied onto regular printer paper
- Omni-Gel 8-Ounce Transfer Medium
- Modge podge
- Paintbrush
- Washcloth
Steps:
1: Coat the piece of wood with transfer gel.
2. place photo-copied picture face-down into the gel. Press down and make sure that all air bubble are out. Allow to dry for several hours.
3. Once gel is completely dry, place a wet wash cloth over the paper and allow it to soak through. Then, using the pads of your fingers, start rubbing off the paper. And keep rubbing! It takes a while to get all the paper off. In the end I used a toothbrush to get the last scraps of paper off.
4. Finally when all the paper is removed, seal with mod podge and embellish as you choose.
Easy, right?!?
And now, more importantly, a word or two about my parents. The fact that they have endured each other for 34 years alone stands as a testament to their relationship. But, beyond that, what I have always known about my parents is that they live their relationship out in the open. They love, fight, pray, laugh and struggle out loud. As a kid I never doubted that my parents passionately cared about each other…and that sometimes it was hard to be around the other person. What they presented to us growing up was a very real image of what marriage is.
Now that I am married I am very thankful for that example. Marriage is fun…but it is also a struggle, especially when you start throwing in kids and job-stress and all the other things we deal with as adults. Most importantly, my parents taught through example that it is okay to fight, as along as there is forgiveness and comprise at the end of each fight. That is how they have lived their lives together, and how they continue to live today. I truly have had a wonderful example. Thanks mom and dad!
My parents this summer with all of their grandchildren
Also, my mom had a blog she is very devoted to: Family Soul Story.
Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful week,
Nancy
PS–Check out these other photo transfer projects:
If it’s your first time visiting Small Things, I’d love for you to connect with me in some way! 
I was wondering if this can be done with a regular inkjet printer or do the prints have to be done with a laser printer? Thanks
Unfortunately you do have to print on a laser printer or the ink will smear (believe me, I’ve tried ;))! Best of luck. I usually just head to the library and pay .$10 be copy. It’s well worth it!
Love too try this but what is transfer gel? I live in Sydney Australia and never heard of it? Please help. Thank you
Will this work with a color copy? To make a color photo?
Sorry this is late, but better late then never. Thanks so much for sharing with last weeks with Wednesday’s Adorned From Above. The link party is open now for this week.
Debi Bolocofsky
http://www.adornedfromabove.com
Neat story! I love the gift you gave your parents. It’s very unique and lovely. Thanks so much for linking up with Making Space Mondays. I hope we see you back again next week! -Tabitha
Nancy – I can’t wait to try this! I’ll be featuring your technique tomorrow!!
What a great project and congrats to your parents on 34 years! Mine just celebrated 47 years. I would love it if you would share this on Tout It Tuesday. http://www.claimingourspace.com/2012/08/tout-it-tuesday-19.html
I’ll add my compliments as well. I don’t consider myself a crafty person, but I would consider doing this project…..very cool, Nancy!
This is the coolest! Great job! Thanks so much for linking this up to our Weekend Wonders party! We hope to see you back again on Thursday 🙂 Have a great week!
Discovered your blog via Debt Free Mommy. Love this craft idea!
I’m your newest follower and look forward to reading more from you. Hope you’ll drop by my blog and say hello some time 🙂
Angela @ atypicalenglishhome.blogspot.com
So much easier then I ever thought it would be. I’m going to have to try it out, I have a few pieces of wood hanging around. Your comments about your parents are so beautiful, your parents remind me of mine. Thanks so much for linking to my Our Favorite Things Link Party.
Thanks for this–you leave the best comments!
That is so cool! As someone who celebrated anniversary #36 in May, your parents look much like we did when we wed. So nice of you to do this for them.
Janet
So cute! Great thinking!
Great way to celebrate 34 years….
My daughter did this in her class last year for mother’s day and it’s so adorable! I was planning on doing this with a picture of my son but didn’t know how. Thanks for the tutorial!
Happy to help!
I bet your parents loved this gift. Very cool! Thanks so much for linking up with us this week @ Keep Calm & Link Up! We’re thrilled you joined us :o)
very cool.. i had thought about doing this just yesterday in fact! i would love for you to come link this, or any other post you’d like to up to my weekend link party http://lovenotesbylauryn.blogspot.com/2012/08/spread-love-link-party-20.html
hope to see you there!
have a great weekend!
{love} lauryn @ lovenotesbylauryn.blogspot.com
Thanks for the invite. I will plan on linking up in the future!
This is great! Absolutely love it! Thanks for linking up to the Pomp Party! Pinning!
I had never heard of transfer gel either. Where did you pick it up? Newest follower! Would love if you dropped in at my blog! 🙂
~Amy~
Thanks for stopping by. You can find transfer gel at any craft store–i got mine at Michael’s. It is by the glue/modge podge.
good luck, and if you transfer photos i’d love to see what you come up with!
Nancy
What a simple project and great gift! I love how it turned out. Where or in what store department do you find the transfer gel? Thanks for the great idea – I’m a new follower 🙂
Thanks for stopping by. You can find transfer gel at any craft store–i got mine at Michael’s. It is by the glue/modge podge.
good luck, and if you transfer photos i’d love to see what you come up with!
Nancy
Just followed your blog and nominated you for the Liebster Blog award, visite my site for the details. Awesome post…enjoyed your blog….NeeCee at pine creek stylw
I love this idea! I want to try to do it, I hope it’ll turn out as well as yours did!! My mom would love to see a pic of her grandkids on wood plaque!
Wanted to stop by and thank you so much for linking up at the Creative Headquarters Blog Hop! I’m following you now on GFC! Hope to see you next week!
Barbara @ Chase the Star
http://chase-thestar.blogspot.com
I love it! I have to try this. Such a great idea. I have a great aunt celebrating an anniversary and birthday soon and this would be perfect. Thanks so much for sharing at whimsy Wednesdays.
Thanks for linking to Take-A-Look Tuesday – – you were featured today!!
–Mandy, http://www.SugarBeeCrafts.com
Love it! and it looks so easy.. I gotta try it! Thank you for the follow too. I am following back now as well. Have an excellent day!
Love this project. What is transfer gel and where do I get it. TIA
Thanks for stopping by. You can find transfer gel at any craft store–i got mine at Michael’s. It is by the glue/modge podge.
good luck, and if you transfer photos i’d love to see what you come up with!
Nancy
Very beautiful picture of your parents, and great transfer technique, thank you for sharing it, I’ll try it at home.
If you do try it, I’d love to see what you come up with!
Thanks for stopping by,
Nancy
Such a cute idea! I’ll have to try it
I really want to try this! thanks
I’m a new follower! This is such a lovely idea!
Nancy, What a cute project! I bet your parent’s just loved it. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and taking the time to comment. Thanks for following along too. Now I’m your newest follower. Have a lovely day! ~ Jamie
Great to have you here!