Father's Day Crafts: How to Make a Photo Paper Weight

I recommend saving this Father's Day craft project for kids at least 9 to 10 years of age or older. Younger children can accomplish this easy craft, but may need some supervision.

To Make a Photo Paper Weight for Father's Day You Will Need:

1 photo of any image you wish

Trip to Kinko's or color copy

Wax paper

Polymer medium

Paintbrush

Rounded or smooth stone (any size you wish)

Tape

The first step is to scan your photo into the copier and print it out. You can also simply have it color copied at Kinko's on regular old paper.

Now, tear out a sheet of wax paper that is at least as large as your photo. You need to set your photocopied picture face up on the wax paper.

Use some tape to hold it in place. Any type of tape you have laying around the house will work.

Now, break out yoru polymer medium. You need a small paintbrush, about one inch, to paint the polymer medium onto the front of the photocopied image. One simple coat and then let this stuff dry. Tip: paint on the polymer medium in one direction. Do not change directions while painting. This will be important later.

Drying should take about an hour depending on the humidity.

Once the first coat is dry you need to add another coat of polymer medium. You should paint this second coat on in a completely different direction. Again, allow this to dry. This should again take about an hour or so.

Now, you need to repeat this polymer medium painting process at least 7 times. It must dry in between each coat you apply to the photocopied image. This is one of the main reasons this is a much better Father's Day craft project for older kids.

Once the finally coat goes on you need to let the painted image rest for 24 hours.

Now, fill the sink up with luke warm water about an hour before you are ready to start again. This will allow it to reach room temperature.

Place the painted image down in the sink. The picture will need to rest in the water for about 3 hours. You can easily do this in the tub or even a shallow pan to keep you craft project out of the way.

Now, take your wet photo and lay it face down on a clean flat surface. You need to remove the paper from the back of the image. This can be accomplished by simply wetting your hands and rubbing the back of the paper away. Rewet your hands at needed and continue until the entire back paper is gone.

Now, leave the picture to dry again. Completely.

Now, while the photo is drying again you can paint yoru stone out in a white paint. This white paint is necessary, unless you have a light colored stone.

Now, all the kids need to do is take some more polymer medium and paint the photocopied image again. Apply the image to the dry stone. Press into place and allow it to dry!

This process will make any photo look like part of the smooth stone and is well worth the effort!!