Description: Create your own family photo tree to display your family pictures on, using one of two methods.
Key words: photo, family tree, memories, pictures, tree
Choosing Your Materials
For both trees, you will need three inch diameter wooden circles. You can usually find these at the craft store, with a hole drilled near an edge and a hanging cord attached. Additionally you will want scissors, crafter's acrylic paints, regular white glue, various fabric trimmings such as lace or rick-rack, polyurethane glaze, and a hot glue gun.
To make a branch tree, you will need to find a tree branch that you consider attractive. It should have as many smaller branches on it as you plan to hang photographs. You will also need a piece of 12 inch square (or round) 3/4 inch plywood, wood glue, a handsaw, and a drill.
To make a dowel tree, you will need one thick (at least one inch) dowel, several 1/4 inch dowels, one 12 inch square (or round) of 3/4 inch plywood, a handsaw, a drill, and wood glue.
To Make A Branch Tree
Clean the branch that you selected to remove any dirt, dust, or moss. Examine the bottom of the branch to determine its width. If necessary, use the handsaw to cut the branch so that you have a flat end. Drill an appropriate sized hole into the center of the plywood. Apply wood glue to the branch and push it into the hole in the plywood. Once the glue has set, decorate the tree with your family photo ornaments.
To Make A Dowel Tree
Using the handsaw, cut the one inch dowel down to 24 inches in height. Using a 1/4 inch drill bit, drill holes into the dowel at varying heights. How you arrange the holes is a matter of personal taste. Drill a hole into the plywood square or circle, apply wood glue to your dowel, and push it into the hole. Let the glue set.
Cut the 1/4 inch dowels to lengths ranging from around six inches to around ten inches. Cut a small notch into one end of each 1/4 inch dowel. Insert the dowels into the central rod, making certain to have the notched end on the outside (this is where your ornaments will sit), until you are pleased with the arrangement of the "branches". Once you are satisfied with your tree's appearance, remove each dowel, apply glue, and replace the dowel in its hole. Allow the glue to set. When the glue is dry, you can paint the tree. White is often a good choice, as it suits most home decors.
To Make Photo Ornaments
It is best if you not use the only copy you have of a photograph. If there is a picture you really want to use but have only one copy, use a computer scanner to scan it and then print it out on a photo quality scanner. If you don't have a scanner, many photo finishing locations can do this for you for a reasonable charge.
Once you have selected the photographs you wish to use, prepare them by trimming them to fit on the circle ornaments. You can cut them in shapes such as hearts or circles or squares, or you can trim the background out of the picture and just keep the person's image.
Prepare the wooden circle ornaments by painting them in the colors of your choice, let the paint dry, then glue the photographs onto the ornaments. You can do single-sided or double-sided ornaments, as you choose. After the glue has dried, you can dip the ornaments in polyurethane glaze if you would like a glossy finish. Once the polyurethane is dry, hot glue lace or rick-rack around the outer edges of the circle ornaments.
Hang the ornaments on the tree and display it on an end table or curio shelf.
