Showcase Your Souvenirs

Woman s Day

By Kirsten Fields


Super Souvenir Ideas

Why stash your vacation memories in a shoebox when you can show them off artfully? Try these creative suggestions for decorating your home with trip trinkets. Photo credits: Alexandra Rowley; prop styling by Karin Olsen




















Keepsake Jars

MATERIALS

· Glue stick

· Photograph

· Thick paper or posterboard

· Scissors

· Clear wide-mouth containers (such as mason or pickle jars)

· Rocks or sand

· Three-dimensional objects

1. Glue the photograph onto the paper and allow it to dry. Trim around the edges of the picture as desired, leaving an inch of paper at the bottom.
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2. Fill the bottom of the jar with rocks or sand. Insert the photograph into the rocks or sand, bending or folding the excess paper at the bottom to help it stand up.

3.

Add other objects as desired.





Map-Matted Photos

MATERIALS

· Picture frame

· Map

· Pencil

· Scissors

· Photograph

· Double-stick tape

1. Remove the backing and glass from the frame.

2. Unfold the map and place the frame's glass on top of it, adjusting the placement until you're happy. Trace around the outside edges of the glass and cut out the rectangular or square shape.

3. Center your photo on the map and attach it with double-stick tape.
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4.

Replace the glass, map and backing into the frame.




Decoupaged Trinket Tray

MATERIALS

· Clear glass tray (such as an 8" round tray, $7.16; BehrenbergGlass.com)

· Pencil

· 2 sheets of thick white paper

· Scissors

· Paper souvenirs (ticket stubs, brochures, business cards)

· Double-sided tape

· Sponge brush

· Matte decoupage glue

1. Flip the tray over; use the pencil to trace the edge onto the paper, adding ½" all around. Repeat with the second sheet of paper. Cut out the 2 circles.

2. Arrange a collage of souvenirs on top of one of the circles, using its shape as your guide. Use the double-sided tape to adhere the pieces to the circle.

3. Photocopy the collage on a laser copier (don't use an ink-jet printer, as the colors will run when you apply glue in Step 4). Cut out the collage so it matches your tray's dimensions with an additional ½" all around.

4. Turn the tray upside down and use the brush to coat the back evenly with glue. Center the photocopied page facedown on the tray. Working from the center of the tray, smooth the paper down, pressing out any air bubbles as you go. Trim any excess paper around the tray's edge and seal with more glue. Allow it to dry for at least 1 hour.
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5.

Repeat Step 4, using the second paper circle as a backing for the collage. Allow it to dry.




Menu Dishtowels

MATERIALS

· Restaurant menu or placemat

· Iron-on ink-jet transfer paper

· Scissors

· Cotton kitchen towels

· Iron

1. Scan your menu into your computer (if you don't have a scanner, go to a copy center). Use photo editing software to size the picture so it's no larger than 8½" × 11" and flip it so that the image is reversed. Print image onto iron-on paper.

2. Cut out the design, keeping tight to its edges. Center it facedown on the towel and use a dry iron to adhere it. Allow it to cool, then remove the backing.

Didn't collect enough knickknacks on your trip to fill the jar? Add a few craft-or dollar-store finds. Sketch your route onto the map to remember where you've traveled.


Original article appeared on WomansDay.com.

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