You are a real ace.

Hello friends!!  I’m pretty excited about this post, because it is (1) easy, (2) inexpensive (3) quick and (4) a craft that men will genuinely enjoy.  I don’t know about everyone else, but I struggle to find a craft that the men in my life are clearly impressed with.
I am blessed to have this amazing group of friends.  There are five couples, and we try to get together once a month for dinner and games.  This craft began on January 28, the day of one our good friend’s birthday.  We were having a dinner/game night that evening in celebration.  Originally, I planned on buying him a poker set, but literally every store I went to was sold out.  I was quickly running out of time, so I decided to buy a pack of cards and try to quickly brainstorm something fun to do with them. 
Which brings us to the craft.
What you will need…

• friends
• pictures of said friends (I utilized the wonderful tool of facebook for this one)
• printer and printer program
• scissors
• modge podge (or some other type of glue…  But this is what I had on hand)
• paintbrush
• a pack of cards

Step ONE. 
Select photos of friends.  It worked out really nicely that we have a group of 10 friends.  I used 2 copies of the birthday boy and his lovely wife, and one of everyone else.  I found it easier to find them all online (facebook), save them to the same file folder on my computer, crop them accordingly.  I found that I cropped mine a little too close, as the faces were a little too big for the cards.  But oh well, they ended working just fine.  I was tried to find the most ridiculous photos possible, because these boys clearly enjoy making funny faces.
Step TWO.
Print the photos.  I used Microsoft Office Picture Manager.  Open the folder of the pictures in Microsoft Office Picture Manager, select all of the photos (use ctrl + click for each photo) and select File then Print.  In Microsoft Office Picture Manager, it allows you to select a variety of different printing dimensions.  I used the “contact sheet” option that allows you to print 35 itty bitty pictures on one sheet.  I am sure that other picture programs offer similar options if you do not have MOPM!
Step THREE.
Cut out the photos!  Tried to stay as close as possible to the face, I found that if you’re cutting out photos of your lovely female friends, it is best to include their hair as well, or they might look a little boyish.  I printed two copies of each person, just in case I made some mistakes (and I needed two of the birthday boy and wife)


Step FOUR.
Assign each person to a King or Queen.  The birthday boy and wife were assigned to the aces.  I used a sponge paintbrush to brush on a thin layer of modge podge to the playing card.  Then, I placed the face cut out onto the card.  Allowed the layer of glue to COMPELTELY dry and then brushed on another light layer on top.  Again, allowed to dry.
  



Step FIVE. 
Pack them up, slap on a nice message, throw on a ribbon and your personalized, crafter-tested, boy-approved gift is ready to be given. 

Enjoyed making them, enjoyed giving them.  Might consider making a pack for all of my friends, maybe themed pictures.  Perfect craft for any man in your life or when you’re in need of a fun gift but in  pinch for time and money!

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