Rubik's Cube Photo Album

I am actually poaching this next project from my mother-in-law. She made one of these for all of us at Christmas and they are just so amazing that I had to share.

The best part is that I almost always see a Rubik's Cube on the toy aisle of Restore for no more than $ 2. Not to mention that you can also pick up a cooling rack or drying tray that you will need for this project while you are there for as little as $. 50 each. And I have been able to snag a good deal on photo paper on occasion.  I really wouldn't be shocked if I found the resin needed on the craft aisle either. So stop by your local Restore and see how very inexpensive this project can be.

What you will need :

2 part clear resin

Rubik's Cube

Photo paper

A cookie cooling rack (or doaming tray found at craft store )

Disposable plastic cup

Plastic spoons

Super glue

1. Remove the existing stickers from cube. There are many different ways to accomplish this from using goo-gone to mayonnaise.

2. Choose your photos. Since this was a surprise, my mother-in-law pilfered pictures from our Facebook Albums. The quantity and size of pictures you will need depends on the amount of cubes. This one had 4 on each side and a total of 24 pictures were needed. A standard rubik's cube will have 9 cubes per side and a total of 54 pictures will be needed. I found this website that offers a free template download for the 4 block cube and a they also offer a download for the 9 cube as well.

3. Cut your pictures and lay out on doaming tray about an inch apart. (This site actually provides a very detailed 2 part instructional video for this project as well)

3. Mix your resin according to directions on label. Take time and read about avoiding bubbles and how to get the bubbles out of your mix.

4. Spoon out about half a spoon full of resin and place the tip of the spoon over the center of the picture and let the resin run off. Once you have covered all the photos, get down to eye level and see if you need to add a few drops to any photos that are not perfectly covered.

5. Place dust cover over your tray and wait 10 mins. After the 10 minutes have passed, remove the cover and check for bubbles that may have rose to the surface. Either use the spoon tip or a toothpick to carefully remove the bubbles without scooping away the resin.

6. Replace dust cover and let dry for the amount of time listed on the resin instructions.

7. Glue your photos to the blocks. 

8. Proudly display your crafty work of genius or wow and amaze someone with a very special gift.

More Fun Projects Turning Ugly Stuff into Awesomeness...

Do you have a light fixture that looks like it came right out of a 60's scene from Austin Powers?  Does the sight of this light make you walk around in the dark rather than having to see it lit up? Then it may be time to go to Restore and find a replacement among the amazing selection of new and used light fixtures and ceiling fans because I am going to show you how to change that horrendous monstrosity into something you can love and proudly display.

Planter:

First you will need to measure a out about how long you will want your planter to hang. Using picture hanging wire, double your measurement and cut it to length. Center the around and wrap around the lip of the opening 2 or 3 times using either your finger, a pencil, or other object as a spacer between the globe and wire. Make sure your spacer is not too large that the wire will slip over the lip, you'll just need enough room to stick wire though it later. Next, twist your wires together tightly all the way to the ends.( you may want to use pliers for this) Now slip about 3 inches of wire end through the ring you made on  the opposite side. Pull you end up and twist it around itself securely. (You can also get tiny wire clamps at your local hardware store for around $1 that will screw down and make a tight grip if you are in doubt of your twisting skills)

You now should have what I describe as a basket handle for the globe.  Be creative: I used an old and broken beaded necklace as a drape around my clear glass one to add a little bohemian look. I painted a frosted one with a copper metallic spray paint and  and sprinkled copper glitter on it. The possibilities are endless. Fill it with water to use as a fresh flower vase or fill with a bit of rock or shredded Styrofoam to use as drainage and cover with soil and make it a planter. Or try using battery operated tea lights or Christmas lights inside as accent lighting.

Garden decor:
Look at the shape of the globe and try to imagine what the shape reminds you of. I saw an owl with this one.

I used acrylic paint and scrapbooking photo accessories to create this little guy. 

Spooky Squid: (or Squib as my 4 year old son says)
Paint your globe with glow in the dark spray paint and if you want sprinkle a little glitter while the paint dries. Using fishing line make your basket handle described above going over the globe and not it's opening and knots versus twisting. But this time once you finish, make another one going the opposite direction so you have a place in the middle where the 2 "handles" meet. Flip it over and hot glue ribbon or wire that has been cut to a desired length to create tentacles. Use an "s" hook or curtain shower ring on the fishing line to hang your sea creature from.

These are just a few simple and fun ideas that I have done but the possibilities are endless!