Picture This

One of my favorite things about getting my feet wet in the world of craft blogging is all the wonderful inspiration out there!  As I post about the things Little Crafter and I are making, I also look at all kinds of new, fresh ideas on other ladies' sites that just make me want to create even more!  The fabric letter I made for LC's room last week was inspired by Kate at The Gaines Gang (yes, I finally found her blog again when she left a sweet comment on yesterday's post!).  And over the weekend, I tackled another project inspired by a fellow blogger, Trina, whose blog A Love to Create is filled with beautiful ideas for everything from wall plaques and decorative plates to jewelry and kids' party themes.  As I was looking at Trina's projects, one in particular took my breath away.  She calls it her "I Can Do Hard Things" Plaque; it's a gorgeous gift for her friends to remind them that they can do anything with the help of the Heavenly Father.  I loved the way she took a photo and made it into a personal, handmade gift.  Of course, I wanted to try it right away myself, and I knew I had just the photo to use. 

This photo was taken during a "cookie date" at our local coffeeshop.  I took it myself, and was amazed at how cute it was!  Here it is in its original form. 

It was just begging to be enhanced, so I used my photo editor, Corel Paint Shop Pro X2, to fancy it up a little.  The empty upper corner was a perfect spot for some text...LC's even pointing to it, for goodness sake!  So I added the definition of love that I found at dictionary.com.  Then I applied the time machine effect because I didn't like the mix of colors; Little Crafter's orange shirt against that wall.  I loved the finished photo but hadn't bothered to do anything with it yet because I didn't know what to do other than print it until I saw Trina's plaque.    

Here's how I made it into a keepsake:

"LOVE" PLAQUE

Materials:

- wooden plaque, any size (this one is roughly 5x7)

- photo printed out to a similar size as the plaque

- acrylic paint

- paintbrush

- Mod Podge

- ribbon

 

STEP 1: Paint your wooden plaque and let it dry.  You really only have to paint the sides and edges where the photo won't cover...I forgot that and painted the whole thing.

 

STEP 2: Brush Mod Podge in the center of dry plaque and place your photo on top.  Then, brush Mod Podge over the entire surface.  If you've printed your own photo, make sure it isn't fresh off the printer or the ink may smear (yes, I learned that the hard way).  Trina used a roller rather than a paint brush for this step, which gives the finished product a different look; think paint on a canvas vs. paint on the wall.  I like the look of the roller a lot, but I was too impatient to go to Home Depot and get one...

 

OPTIONAL STEP: The photo I used is one I had enhanced and added text to on the computer already. If you're working with a plain photo, you may wish to add words.  Trina used a vinyl saying on hers, which you can find at craft stores or through companies like Stampin' Up and Close to My Heart.  You can do the same at this point and then mod podge over the entire thing again.

STEP 3: Tie a bow from coordinating ribbon and attach it with a low temp glue gun in the corner of your photo.  You may also want to add a ribbon hanger to the back.  I decided to stand my plaque up on my dresser rather than hanging it because it looked too small on the wall.  Next time, I'm going for a larger piece of wood.

Ta-da!  Here's the finished product, which is currently on my dresser making me smile every time I see it.  This project would work with any size wood, any color paint, any photo, and any ribbon.  You can customize it to match your room; I was thinking of doing a black and white photo with an orange or blue painted background and polka dot ribbon to go LC's room.  Even a color photo would be really cute preserved this way.  It's a simple, cheap, but gorgeous way to make your favorite photos a cherished handmade keepsake either for yourself or as a gift for someone you love.  Thanks again, Trina, for the inspiration.  You're making the world a more beautiful place.

Check out her work here.


Oh, and PS - While we're talking about pictures, I decided to enter the froggy boots photo in the contest I blogged about on Saturday.  Thanks for all your input!  I was so torn between this one and the one with the purple flowers, but the majority of you picked this one and I agree that it best fits the contest description.  So, here goes!

If you'd like to help us out and vote for the picture, go to JennaMichele Photography on Facebook, fan it, and then find LC's picture in the album called Spring Photo Contest.  To vote, just "like" the picture or leave a comment on it.  Thanks!

Have a beautiful day!

I shared this idea here: