Scrabble Memory Collage Easel
Use A Scrabble Gameboard to Make a Family Memory
A unique collage using an old Scrabble board shows off family memories in a new way.
Are you looking for a way to show off old family photos? Do you have an old Scrabble game board lying around? Making this memory collage/easel is a fun way to display photos and tidbits of family information. It would also make a fun project to work on with a child as a family heritage project. If you add the trays to the bottom of the collage, you can use them to prop up current family photos or update the collage with new additions to the family.
Supplies
- an old Scrabble game (Scrabble games can be purchased for a few dollars at a thrift store)
- family photos
- wooden shims or other small flat pieces of wood
- silicone glue
- decoupage medium
- a polyurethane or acrylic varnish
- an acrylic spray finish
- antiquing medium
- crackle medium
- gold paint
Instructions
- Place the Scrabble game board face down on a clean work surface. Use silicone glue to glue at least two shims across the fold on the back of the game board. Allow to dry for the amount of time recommended by the manufacturer of the adhesive. This provides a stable work surface for decoupaging down the pictures.
- Select the photos you wish to use on the collage. Resize them to the dimensions you want, print them, and cut them out.
- Create the collage layout using images and tiles. Use the tiles to create words and names associated with the theme of your board.
- Remove tiles and set aside. Adhere images to the board using decoupage medium.
- Coat the images with several coats of decoupage medium. Allow the collage to dry between coats.
- Coat the images with two coats of acrylic or polyurethane finish.
- Apply a coat of crackle finish to the board. Allow to dry.
- Apply another clear coat of either the acrylic or polyurethane finish. Allow to dry.
- Using a dry rag or brush, rub gold paint into the cracks. Make sure to rub away excess paint from the rest of the collage.
- Coat with several coats of either decoupage medium or the acrylic/polyurethane finish.
- Apply several coats of antiquing finish until you achieve your desired age.
- Apply more decoupage medium or more of the acrylic or polyurethane finish. Continue to build up layers until the cracks are filled and the surface is smooth.
- Sand until the board is smooth and has a nice luster.
- Using the silicone glue, glue down the tiles. Glue trays to the bottom of the collage if you wish to use it as an easel.
- Finish with a coat or two of a spray finish.
Helpful Hints and Other Suggestions
It is a nice touch to make sure the words you use all come from one set of Scrabble tiles. Use the blanks if necessary it lends a fun and authentic touch to the collage.
This collage is equally nice without the antiquing and crackle finishes. If the collage is created without those finishes, it would not be necessary to use more than one or two coats of a top coat in acrylic or polyurethane to protect the pictures and finished with a few coats of acrylic spray finish.
For another creative way to use old family photos, try making a Mini-Memory Collage.
