Design a photographic family tree by taking sepia and black and white photographs and turning them into a collage. Cut out the shape of a large tree onto particleboard or a 1/4-inch piece of wood. Place a saw tooth picture hanger on the back, so you can hang it once it is completed. Place photographic cutouts onto the tree, overlapping some images as you go along. For added depth and interest, place photocopies of old letters, birth announcements and newspaper clippings from long ago onto the tree. Coat it with varnish and hang it on your wall as a pictorial display of your family history.
A child’s collage may feature images from a child’s favorite storybook or cartoon character. However, if your child is into a certain sport or hobby, you also may utilize those images to form a personalized collage to hang in your child’s room. For example, if your child is fascinated by transportation, decorate your child’s nightstand, dresser and headboard with stickers, photos, magazine pictures and fabric or wrapping paper cutouts that display cars, planes, trucks, boats and helicopters. Varnish over them, and you end up with functional artwork your child will adore.
Whether you live in a Victorian home or merely love the antiquated look the Victorian style exudes, there are a number of ways to design a collage that evokes the Victorian era. Take an antique trunk, desk, chair or hat box (for smaller collages), and cover it with old postcards, postage stamps, lace and dried flowers. Around these, place Victorian imagery, such as men in waistcoats and top hats, women in long, flowing dresses and large hats, cherubs and roses. Once the varnish dries, you can display your collage by placing antiques, such as old dolls, radios or glassware, on top of your Victorian collage furniture.
Cut out a large heart from particleboard or a 1/4-inch piece of wood. Affix a saw tooth picture hanger on the back of the heart. Take photos of you and your sweetheart and cut them out, scattering them over the heart. After gluing them down, apply imagery consisting of hearts, white doves, red roses and wedding rings (if appropriate). Be sure to include snippets of love poems for added depth. Add more personal touches by including bits of love letters between you and your significant other. Coat with varnish and hang on your wall.