Snow Days Project {Picture Clock}

Living in Huntsville, you don't see many snow "days".  Actually, we don't see much snow.  Occasionally, we'll get a 2 hour delay going in to work or get to leave a little early, but never in my over 4 years of employment have I gotten a full day.  This year we got 8 inches of snow dumped on us and are now in icy conditions.  We have had 2 days off of work.  How crazy is that???  It gave me the opportunity to work on this awesome picture clock that I have been dying to do. 

Here is what you need for this project:

16x16 photo (The pic was 16x16 then saved and printed as a 16x20- giving it white edges around it)

16x16 backing (I used plywood- 3/4 inch thick. It's heavy though so you may want to look for something lighter weight)
Drill

Mod Podge (I used the Matte kind)

Sponge Brush
Paint to match or accent the photo
Paint Brush
Clock pieces
Cutter Bee or X-Acto Knife

I chose one of our engagement pictures and asked Katie to put the clock numbers (you can add 3-D type numbers instead of having them put on it) and the name stamp on it for me.  Hopefully, when I get my new computer I can put Photoshop Elements on it, so then I can do that type of stuff myself.  Until then, I'm thankful for friends who can help.  : )  You could also use Picnik, which is a free internet site for the editing of the pictures.  I had it printed at Sam's Club since they had the best price for that size photo ($5.96+tax).

I used a piece of plywood 3/4 inch thick for this clock.  It's a bit heavy to hang though, so I recommend finding something lighter weight.  The clock pieces required it to be 3/4" thick though.  We went ahead and drilled the hole where the clock pieces would need to go. 

After you cut the edges off the photo, you will probably find that it is a little shorter than the board.  I recommend painting the edges either a color to match your photo or one to accent it.  I also would recommend using acrylic paint, but we were stuck in the house (at my parent's) and all my acrylic paint was at my house.  So, we used what we had Behr wall paint.  haha...

Once the edges are good and dry, "paint" a good layer of Mod Podge on the board.  Carefully lay your picture on top of this.  After you have completed this, put an even layer of Mod Podge on top of the picture.  Make sure it even gets on the wooden edges.  This will help seal it down.  Don't be alarmed by the fact that it has a white layer.  This will dry clear.  It takes an hour or so to get good and dry.

Once it was dry, I then took my Cutter Bee knife and carefully punched a hole through the center.  I would also recommend using the Stampin' Up Paper Piercer. (It might go through a little easier.)  Go very slowly as you cut through the picture so as not to tear it.  I purchased my clock pieces at Hobby Lobby (really inexpensive- $5.99 plus you can use a 40% off coupon).  Follow the directions on the back of the clock to put the clock pieces on.  Then just add your battery!  Now you have a functional clock!!!

I can't wait to hang this on the wall after we get married (and figure out where we are living)!!!