MarytheKaytheBlog

Farmers have Invaded my Kitchen!

I don't mean to alarm you...but farmers have invaded my kitchen.

Want to see what I mean?

My husband and daughters are starting a brand new gardening project tonight!  This summer our urban sports camp is going to sport a mighty fine vegetable garden.  Dave found some wonderful heirloom seeds from the nearby Baker Creek Seed Company, and has gotten some good advice from our local College of the Ozarks Landscaping Department.  He's hoping to supply our camp kitchens this summer with some home-grown vegetables--like lettuce, watermelon, tomatoes, spinach, peppers, chives, and basil.  We have lots of other hopes for our garden, too, including getting the inner-city campers involved!

But, for tonight, in this first week of March, there are farmers in my kitchen planting tiny seeds in some dark fertile soil.

Just like life, huh?  Sometimes you have to plan far in advance...planting tiny seeds along the way, lovingly watering and caring...and waiting for results that we won't get to enjoy for quite some time.

What have you been planting and cultivating lately?

Making Silhouettes (an oldie but goodie)

Since the management is being lazy this week and hanging out with all her family...we thought it would be fun to re-post some past posts.  Last Christmas I made silhouettes of the cousin kids in our family.  Just in case your family is still together...HURRY! and go take all the kids' pictures.  Because--seriously--is there anything sweeter than a silhouette?

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I know that I kind of whined recently about how much I had to do to finish a huge Christmas craft project.  I couldn't tell you at the time what that project was, because I still had to give it.

Well, this weekend and last weekend, I was able to give these gifts--to my mother-in-law, and to my mom.  I gave them both framed silhouettes of their grandkids.  I sure hope you don't think I'm tooting my own horn, because when you see the finished product...well, you'll see they are certainly not perfect!  But, every tiny little cut with my scissors was done with love.  And I'm proud of them!

So--you wanna see them?

I.  Can't.  Hear.  Youuuuu!!

Seriously?  Just show the dang silhouettes, already.

Okay, okay, simmer down.  Here they are.

 

Please ooh and aah.  I know it's shameless to ask... 
 
Want to know how I made them?  Well, I sure hope so--cause I'm showing you either way!!  And, I am pretty positive, in much greater detail and chattiness than you need.  But, who wants a bland tutorial when you can have a CHATTY! one?  You do?  Well, see ya later, grumpy person.  For all you nice people, here is how I made them, step by step.

(OR...Click Here to read what I learned about mothering, by cutting silhouettes!)

Step 1 - Take a picture of your cutie pie(s).  Have him/her stand sideways in a well lit area in front of a wall, chin parallel to the floor, with closed-mouth slight smile.  (Open-mouth smiles look funny when cut out...in my experience.)  Make sure his/her head takes up almost 50% of the viewfinder frame.  Helpful hint:  I realized when I started cutting out the silhouettes, that the neck was easier to cut out when the cutie pie was wearing a t-shirt, and not a collared shirt/sweater.

 
 Step 2 - Download photo onto computer, and print out onto card stock.  I printed both black and white and color...both worked fine for me.  You may need to re-size the photos a bit--especially if you are doing more than 1.  You'll want your silhouettes to be similar size. 

 Step 3 - Using very small scissors, carefully cut out card stock photos.   I actually bought a new pair at Michael's to do my project.  Small, sharp scissors are KEY to achieving a crisp edge on your silhouette.  At this point, you will determine if there are any details you want to include--stray hairs you want cut out, or eyelashes to include... 

 
 Step 4 - Place cut-out card stock  onto black card stock, and carefully trace with a sharpened pencil.  You'll want to decide which direction you want the silhouette to face before tracing.  Finished side is the back-side of your tracing.

Step 5 - Using very small scissors, carefully cut out black silhouette.  Cut exactly on the pencil line.  Make very tiny adjustments, if needed.

 
 Step 6 - Pick out frames.  I thought the square ones were a perfect size for my project!  And...bought them using coupons I printed off from Michael's--score!

Step 7 - Cut white card stock to fit the desired frame, and paste black silhouette in the middle.  I used a double-sided scrapbook tape around entire perimeter of my silhouettes, to ensure a uniform seal.

 
 Step 8 - For added whimsy, I had my daughters and their cousins sign below their silhouettes (Actually, I had them sign the faint rulered-pencil line first, and then I pasted down the silhouette.  This ain't my first rodeo, ya know!)

 
 Step 9 - Frame it, baby!  Didn't they turn out?!  I have to say, I am a little proud.  I have wanted to try my hand at silhouettes for so long, and to have them turn out was very satisfying.  I will admit that they were tedious work.  But, certainly achievable--especially if I took my time!

Step 10 - Hang those puppies, er, silhouettes on the wall!  Helpful hint:  Please do not attempt if you and your mom and sister are exhausted from a busy weekend.  Your brain will not be able to figure out the math measurements for fitting 7 frames into a wall space.  And, please, dear soul, do not attempt to hang them in a straight row.  Nearly impossible for human perfectionists.  Instead, stagger them.  Staggering is a beautiful attribute in the world of framing.  Can I get an amen?

These are hanging in the Kids' Room at my parent's house.  I didn't get a picture at my mother-in-law's house--sorry!!   Already, the cousins have enjoyed spotting each other, comparing signatures and upper lips.  (It's a family thing.)

I am SURE there are silhouette pros out there that are cringing at my efforts--and my tutorial.  For you silhouette smarties--are there helpful hints I am forgetting?  I am definitely a Trial and Error Girl, and this project was no exception!  C'mon--any helpful hinters out there?  Have you ever tried silhouettes?

And while you're at the helpful hinting, I might as well ask...  My next big project with silhouettes is to enlarge them (our 2 daughters') at least 200% and put them on 16"x 20" canvases over our Master bedroom bed.  Remember, a looooong time ago (nearly a year) I was lamenting over what to hang over the bed?  Well, welcome to MarytheKay World:  Where many projects sit unfinished, for lack of decisiveness. 

So, suggestions?  Do I have them printed at at copy shop onto black card stock (colored card stock??)....or onto vinyl at a sign shop?  And then, do I Modge Podge onto the canvas?  Brush some color onto the canvas, or leave it white?

Goodness, with this many decisions, it may be another year before I get around to it! 

Handmade Christmas Gift Idea: Photo Placemats

I have to tell you--this is one of my FAVORITE gifts I have ever given my parents.  This gift takes care of my favorite Christmas gift requirements:  It was fairly easy to do, it's a sentimental gift, and it was inexpensive. 

(If you have been around here for long, you might remember that I did post about this last year.  I want to re-post it again just in case you missed it...and because I love ya so much--because this is really a FUN GIFT for a family member!  I have updated last year's post just a bit...)

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 About 7 Christmases ago, I made some very simple Christmas photo placemats for my parents.  They are simply our old family pictures--Christmas and otherwise--

placed on red paper,     color copied,     and laminated at a copy shop. 

I love this handmade gift idea mostly because it PRESERVES our family's history, and our Christmas traditions for our kids.  These placemats have become such a fun tradition for the Christmas meals at my parents' house.  All the grandkids love seeing the old pictures, and hearing the stories that accompany many of the funny pictures.

HOW TO MAKE THEM:

Gather pictures.  I made 4 different placemat designs, on 11"x 17" (ledger size--the largest that copy shop could laminate) red paper.  Over Thanksgiving, my sister and I gathered a whole bunch of family pictures.  Many of them were pictures of past Christmases, but some were simply old pics of extended family members.  We tried to find pictures that were funny, or that told a story.  I ended up using about 12-13 pictures per placemat--so I had a total of 50 pictures that I took to the copy shop (along with a roll of Scotch tape).

At the copy shop.  At the copy shop, I purchased 4 pieces of 11" x 17" red paper, and began arranging the pics.  I attached the pics onto the paper only temporarily--just using Scotch tape on the back of the pics.  Once I had the pics arranged, the copy shop made 3 color copies of each of the 4 designs, and laminated all 12 placemats.  Ta-Da--that's it!!!

The end, that's it!  As you can see, these placemats are nothing fancy.  But, the pictures on them are priceless--to our family.  Each picture tells a different story, shows a different family tradition, reminds us of a beloved family member we miss...  Every time our family has a meal with these placemats, we end up telling some of the old stories. 

Beautiful, on any table.  Oh, and just so you know...My mom still sets a beautiful Christmas table.  Even though these placemats seem "casual," they look really great, even on a more formal table (on top of a tablecloth, or on a bare table).

Wanna see 'em all?

On this one, I love Uncle Harry pointing at me (when I took the picture 30 years ago).  I also love prim and proper Aunt Mae with my dad (bottom left).  The one of my grandaddy kissing my forehead at the airport is priceless to me.  And my mom at the piano in her white go go boots--Sassy!  (oh she will hate this comment!!)  And the girl in the 3 matching jogging suit girls...click here to read all about it!

When using these placemats, we usually laugh about my dad's blue robe...that appeared in many years' Christmas pics.  Sadly, the blue robe has been retired.  There's one of my Gram (bottom middle) at her house, and one with my brother holding one of my Gram's famous Christmas morning fried quail (YUM...middle right).  And the one of my Grammy and Grandaddy in the middle always makes me smile.

There are also pics of the grandkids--who were SO little 7 years ago!  There are the little cuties (now tall and handsome) Drew and Brady (upper left) and Claire, still without much hair (oh I rhyme!  top middle)  I SO WISH the pictures were clearer here--so you could see my very distinguished older brother with a record number of olives in his mouth (middle left).  And my Aunt LaNell, who has the BEST laugh, with our sweet neighbor Miss Patty (bottom right)  That very well may be the only picture we have of our dear Miss Patty...

This one...I cropped a little...I am not sure my parents were ready for their WWW smooch premiere.  However, on the placemat, the kiss picture is just CUTE and totally appropriate for our family.  I love the one with my little sister--with our 1980s big hair--on our Christmas garland stairway (bottom middle).  Ah, and there's my sweet little blond girl Becca Boo!  (bottom right)

If you make these for your parents or in-laws, or even for your own home--I hope they bring your family as much enjoyment--and giggles--as they have brought ours!  If I can get my act together, I do hope to add a couple of new placemats this year...with some of the younger grandkids not yet born 7 years ago!
I'd also really love to tackle this project for my husband's side of the family...but shhh, don't tell!!!

What's YOUR favorite gift you've ever given--or made?

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Pre-Thanksgiving Linky Dinks

Well, would ya look at that--it's the WEEKEND!!  Here are a few links to entertain you, as you kick back and relax...

 

Man, Jamie's done it again.  Her words cut through the crap, and zing straight to the heart.  Here's one sentence that did just that for me in her post One Jesus, "But if you really want to get crazy, let's talk about what your average weeknight looks like, because the Sunday morning Jesus-fest bores me."    The Very Worst Missionary

 

Okay, okay, I know that I read People.com more than I read the national news.  So, when I say this, please understand that I don't have a very educated grasp.  But, the Occupy movements bug me.  I felt like Occupy Whatever put into words what it is that bugs me.   My Message to You

 

And...on a lighter note...because that's where I'd much rather reside *grin*...Organizer eye candy alert!!  Boxes, bins, and baskets-OH MY!   Delightful Order

 

Need some Thanksgiving inspiration?  How about a fun baking project with your kids?  This Puff Pastry Cornucopia would be darling on your Thanksgiving buffet!  This would be a  FUN and EASY Christmas decoration craft project to create over Thanksgiving weekend.  Love.    CleverlyInspired

 

I just LOVE checking out what's on peoples' Black Friday shopping lists.  I think I just added that immersion blender to my Christmas list...  What's on YOUR list?  Serenity Now

 

Another weekend craft idea?  Christmas ornament wreath - swoon.  I'd even like to make a smaller version, for gifts.    House of Hepworths

 

 That's all, folks.  I sure hope your weekend is wonderful.  I'll see you back here on Monday, when I have some Thanksgiving-ish fun planned!!

What were some interesting links that YOU'VE discovered this week?

My Favorite Finds on Pinterest Lately

 Has the Pinterest craze bug bitten you yet?  Well, why not?

(What IS Pinterest?  Megan at SortaCrunchy blog wrote a great tutorial.  Read, and find out about this little gem of a site!)

You should go right now and sign up.  I'll wait on ya!  Then, you should go follow ME on Pinterest.  I'll follow you back!

I thought it would be fun to show you (especially you non-Pinterest lads and ladies) some of my favorite finds lately.  There are TONS of  wonderful ideas on Pinterest.  These are actually ones that I would do, or use.

(Note:  Click on the link below each picture to find out more...or to re-pin to your own Pinterest board!)

 Necklace Holder - towel rack and shower hooks 

 What a brilliant way to hang a picture!

 

 Ooh!  This just makes my fingers itch to find an old toy, and some glossy spray paint! 

  I just LOVE these Candy Corn Pumpkins!!

 

 One of my favorite things about Fall?  Pumpkin bread!  I really want to try these EASY pumpkin muffins!

 

 My thoughts, exactly!!! 

 

 And this?  This just made me GIGGLE. 

What have YOU found on Pinterest lately, that you actually WILL USE? 

Or, what have you tried that was successful?

Happy weekend, ya'll!  See you good folks back here on Monday!

Painting and Possums

Well, how's that for a title?  I kind of like it, myself.

Oh, and just to let you know...I know the animal name is spelled "opossum."  But, around these parts, we call 'em possums.  Or better yet:  VARMIT.  (By the way, do classy people ever utter the word "varmit"...or just formerly classy girls trapped in redneck country too long?  Suddenly, I am feeling very insecure about using that word.  Not that I'm at all insecure about using the word "possum."  Just the word "varmit.")

But, I'm getting ahead of myself.  I'd better tell you about the painting part first, or you will pay no attention at all once I start talking possums.

And, I really WANT you to pay attention to the painting part.  Because I worked my fingers to the bone painting all of the furniture on my front porch this weekend.  Okay, I didn't literally work my fingers to the bone...but it sure does give me some satisfaction saying so.

Oh, how I wish I had taken a "before" picture.  Aren't all bloggers legally bound to take pictures of every single thing that happens in their family's lives?  Somehow, I got too excited about the dozen spray paint cans, and forgot to take a picture before I started. 

Just imagine here...white furniture that had gotten dingy and faded...

And after a dozen cans of white spray paint, look how pretty and fresh everything looks!

 Now, I know you probably do not care about my freshly-painted furniture.  But, since I worked a LOT of hours lugging that furniture to my driveway and killing off 2 pointer fingers on spray paint cans, I figured I would MAKE you look at it!  So, LOOK, would ya???  Ooh-ing and Ahh-ing would be good, too.

Also, here's a helpful hint for ya.  And this will make subjecting you to my furniture picture WORTH IT ALL.  Be careful when using a stubborn can of spray paint that splatters, and you're too tired to get another can so you continue using it.  Did you know that spray paint can splatter up onto your glasses?  Yep, it sure can.  Now, I cannot tell you how to get the splatters off.  You'll have to Google that for yourself.  While you're at it, please send me the link.

 Oh, all right.  I know the only reason you folks are still here is for the "possum" part.  But, thanks for sticking around to see my painting masterpieces first.

 

So, this weekend my husband took both our daughters to a very cool Field Day at the Proving Grounds, put on by our very famous (in the deer world) friend.  Both daughters had a wonderful time shooting .22 targets and archery targets, and just hanging out with their dad in the woods.

Dave called me as he and Rebecca were driving home on Saturday, and told me, "Rebecca got 2 opossums and 1 red fox."   Our call got disconnected, and I was pretty puzzled by how Rebecca had been able to shoot 3 animals.  I knew lots of people were at the Field Day, and I couldn't imagine how Rebecca could have safely shot 3 animals.

Heck, I'm such a city girl, I don't even know if it's legal to shoot opossums and red fox.

When Rebecca got home, she was ALL SMILES.  She pulled out from behind her back the 3 pelts she had traded.

*For you city folk, "pelts" are animal furs that have been professionally prepared and tanned.*

 Oh yes--here she is--a very proud owner of 2 POSSUMS and a RED FOX.

 These animals, formerly known as opossums, will now hitherto be called by me POSSUMS at this house.

Because, in case you cannot see this, people--these are REAL LIFE POSSUM PUPPETS.  That both of my daughters think are soft and cuddly and cute.

Yes, yes, I know.  We are FANCY people over here. 

You would have thought us even FANCIER if you had heard me tell Rebecca at lunch today--AT A RESTAURANT--"Rebecca, please take the possum off the middle of the table!"
 

Seriously.  Sometimes I wonder what kind of world I have wandered into.  However, what can I expect?  I fell in love with my husband while skunk hunting...

Getting Crafty: Scrabble in the Kitchen

In my recent Totally Eye Candy Linky Dinks, I linked up Oh So Chichi's Scrabble Tile Decor craft project.   I knew from the moment I saw Jaime's adorable--and easy--way to use Scrabble tiles as a kitchen decoration, I HAD to try it!

I knew just the shelf that needed a little more whimsy...

I thought I could get rid of the red candle there in the middle of the shelf, and replace it with the Scrabble tiles.

I used a pint canning jar to hold the extra letters.  You know how I love these glass jars!  Oh look...the Scrabble tiles are nearly camouflaged with my nifty early 1980s butcher block laminate.  Groovy. 
 

It's time for some COLOR!!  And we all know what color I'm going to choose, now don't we?

Duh.  RED.  (It is my signature color, you know.  Name that movie)

I just used basic craft paint, and painted it with a sponge brush right onto the raw wood.  It took me about 30 seconds to paint it.  IGG (Instant Gratification Girl) really loves projects like these that take less than 5 minutes! 

Well--what do you think?  Want to see it closer-up?

Isn't that SO FUN?  Just this weekend, since we had some guests over (remember...the 70 guests for breakfast?), I changed the letters to "Welcome."  I don't know if anyone else noticed it...but it sure made me happy.

After it was all done, I did feel like the red paint needed a little something extra.  Possibly a little more depth?  To add some depth/definition, I used some white craft paint, and dry brushed it on top of the red--to give it a more aged/weathered look.

What do you think?  Which one do you like better?  The difference is only subtle...and I'm not sure the pictures do them justice.

I also wonder if some black paint dry-brushed on would look better?  Help??  What do you think?  (You can double-click to see a larger picture.)

Do you have a spot in your kitchen for a little whimsy?  I love the idea of being able to put up words appropriate to the occasion, don't you? 

I will admit...the shelf isn't finished.  It still is lacking something...I just don't know what yet.  Any ideas??

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Vacation Craft!!! Creating Seashell Frames

Hey, I know it's dorky to post this whole picture...but I really wanted to show you how MUCH I love our shell frame.  It sits in a spot of honor on my favorite hutch!  I smile every time I pass by, and see the fun beach picture in the cool frame!

 I love this craft for 3 reasons:

1)  It gives my kids a constructive project - on a rainy vacation day, or when they just need some "down-time."

2)  Our family has a useful souvenir to take home--that reminds us of our fun trip for years to come!

3)  Once you're home and unpacking, and find that huge sack of seashells your kids collected and just couldn't bear to leave behind...You can USE those shells for a constructive craft project!  (And, stealthy Mama can find a "good, safe place" to "store" all the leftover shells.  You are picturing my "air quotes," aren't you?)

 
Sadly, I cannot take credit for this craft.  Once again, it was my brilliant sister-in-law who came up with it.  In our family, Aunt Gina is our Craft Lady!  Every holiday, we always look forward to the newest craft project she teaches us!  (HEY CRAFT LADEEEE--whatcha got fer us this year?)

Aunt Gina taught us the seashell frame craft about 5 Spring Breaks ago, when our family traveled to Rosemary Beach, Florida.  One afternoon, when the kids really needed some down-time and some structure (aka, they were probably cranky and fighting), we grabbed our buckets and set out to find the prettiest shells to decorate our picture frames.  (Gina had already planned ahead, and bought plain wooden frames and craft glue at the local Walmart for everyone.) 

Everyone found the prettiest/best/most unusual/weirdest shells.  (You know--when the kids say 1,000 times--"Hey look at THIS ONE!  This one is really...*insert word here*"  And we all know, as responsible adults, we are to answer, "Ohhh, yes.  Yes it is!")

After finding those prettiest/best/most unusual/better than yours/weirdest shells, the kids had fun sorting them all out on the table.  And once again, as responsible adults, we oohed and aahhed appropriately.  We had the kids arrange them on their frames before gluing.  Once they started gluing them in place, we did help the younger ones a little.

Amazingly, the frames ALL turned out really great!  The kids were really proud of their vacation creations!

But then...dun dun dunnnnnnnn...we had to get all dressed up for our family beach picture.  You know--so we'd have something to put IN the frame.  How do you get a big family with several little kids to smile all at the same time?  Heck, how do you get a big family to stand still all at the same time?

Yeah, I have no help for that.  But, whatever you do, snap a family beach pic of some sort and slide it into the shell frame. 

 
STOP. THE. PRESSES!!!!!!

I'm sorry.  But, I just HAVE to point out my wittle bitty bald baby.  My goodness, I miss that sweet little bald head...that I thought she would never grow a full head of hair!!  Do you see my sweet little bald Sara Beth? (I'm sure she'll LOVE me for this later)  My dad is holding her.  Sorry about the picture quality.  Looks like some moisture has gotten into the frame over the years...

Yeah, and we're squinting into the sun.  We're not professional pitture takers, ya know.

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How to Create a Pretty Dessert Table

Okay, so the alternate title for this post should read: 

"Watch your friend create a pretty dessert table!!"

I can only take a teensy bit of credit for the pretty dessert table I am about to show you.  My friend Jenn designed it, and made us enlisted the help of a couple of friends, so that we could honor a dear friend on her 40th birthday.

Oh look!  There's Jenn now...  Everybody say, "Hi, Jenn!"

 

But, let me back up just a bit.  Here's our BEFORE picture...the blank canvas upon which Jenn worked her dessert table magic:

Okay, so never mind those wrinkles.  They kind of gave (OCD) me a stomach-ache before we set everything up.  But, I have to say--I did not notice them one bit once everything was in place.  (yeah, yeah, yeah, so they were right...just this once...)

Notice how everything is symmetrical?  Jenn said an important element in dessert table design is symmetry and balance.   
 
 Oh, and I LOVE this idea--custom flower vases!  Created using a sheet of scrapbook paper, trimmed to size, and slipped inside a clear vase.

 
It worried (OCD) me that by using paper inside the vase, we wouldn't be able to add water, and the flowers would wilt before the evening party.

Well, Au contraire, mon frère-take a look at this genius idea!!

Are you READY to see the finished product?

 

May I present to you...Jenn's Pretty Dessert Table!!

 

Didn't she do an amazing job?  We used the color palette of the invitation--lavender, mint green, and added in some pale pink onto a background of white and crystal--to create this clean and pretty look. 

Here are some of the elements--and my favorite parts--of the dessert table:

Top Left:  A frosting dipping station!  The birthday girl's favorite thing...frosting!  We paired 3 frostings--strawberry, buttercream, and cream cheese--with mini pretzel sticks for a delicious sweet/salty snack!

Top Right:  Mini cupcake tower!  We placed a cupcake stand on a clear cake stand, and filled it with mini carrot cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, vanilla cupcakes with strawberry frosting, and vanilla cupcakes with buttercream frosting.  Nothing says FUN dessert table like mini cupcakes!

Bottom Left:  Favorite candies!  We used the birthday girl's 2 favorite candies--Hot Tamales and Junior Mints--and filled 2 large vases to the very top. 

Bottom Right:   Favorite snacks!  We added in 2 of the birthday girl's favorite snacks--kettlecorn popcorn (we bought Popcorn Indiana's yummy brand at Walmart) and glazed sugar cookies (thank you, Kim M.!)

 

Oh--and one of the most darling parts of the dessert table...we created labels for everything (we? she? What's the difference...), using lavender and mint green scrapbook paper, and an adorable font!  (sorry, I did not get a very good picture!)

Want to see the pretty table again? 
 

Pretty table, pretty Jenn!!  

(Oh man, I sure wish I had another sugar cookie...they were DIVINE!!!)

 

(Here's the P.S. part...)

Okay, and for the sake of full disclosure, I need to tell you that my dessert table setting-up friends...well, they did not like my idea of using tulle ribbon to help decorate the table.  Now, in my (humble) opinion, tulle makes EVERYTHING prettier.  Wouldn't you, dear readers, AGREE with me? 

Wouldn't you?

Well, instead of pouting...I took ACTION.  I figured I would SHOW THEM!!  While they were working in the other room--not using my tulle--I decided to decorate the kitchen...just a bit.

Because...tulle makes everything prettier, right?

 
It's a crying shame that decorators everywhere don't use my services.  I sure could pretty up America with a little tulle... 

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Unveiling my Christmas Craft Project - Silhouettes!!

I know that I kind of whined recently about how much I had to do to finish a huge Christmas craft project.  I couldn't tell you at the time what that project was, because I still had to give it.

Well, this weekend and last weekend, I was able to give these gifts--to my mother-in-law, and to my mom.  I gave them both framed silhouettes of their grandkids.  I sure hope you don't think I'm tooting my own horn, because when you see the finished product...well, you'll see they are certainly not perfect!  But, every tiny little cut with my scissors was done with love.  And I'm proud of them!

So--you wanna see them?

I.  Can't.  Hear.  Youuuuu!!

Seriously?  Just show the dang silhouettes, already.

Okay, okay, simmer down.  Here they are.

 

Please ooh and aah.  I know it's shameless to ask... 
 
Want to know how I made them?  Well, I sure hope so--cause I'm showing you either way!!  And, I am pretty positive, in much greater detail and chattiness than you need.  But, who wants a bland tutorial when you can have a CHATTY! one?  You do?  Well, see ya later, grumpy person.  For all you nice people, here is how I made them, step by step.

(OR...Click Here to read what I learned about mothering, by cutting silhouettes!)

Step 1 - Take a picture of your cutie pie(s).  Have him/her stand sideways in a well lit area in front of a wall, chin parallel to the floor, with closed-mouth slight smile.  (Open-mouth smiles look funny when cut out...in my experience.)  Make sure his/her head takes up almost 50% of the viewfinder frame.  Helpful hint:  I realized when I started cutting out the silhouettes, that the neck was easier to cut out when the cutie pie was wearing a t-shirt, and not a collared shirt/sweater.

 
 Step 2 - Download photo onto computer, and print out onto card stock.  I printed both black and white and color...both worked fine for me.  You may need to re-size the photos a bit--especially if you are doing more than 1.  You'll want your silhouettes to be similar size. 

 Step 3 - Using very small scissors, carefully cut out card stock photos.   I actually bought a new pair at Michael's to do my project.  Small, sharp scissors are KEY to achieving a crisp edge on your silhouette.  At this point, you will determine if there are any details you want to include--stray hairs you want cut out, or eyelashes to include... 

 
 Step 4 - Place cut-out card stock  onto black card stock, and carefully trace with a sharpened pencil.  You'll want to decide which direction you want the silhouette to face before tracing.  Finished side is the back-side of your tracing.

Step 5 - Using very small scissors, carefully cut out black silhouette.  Cut exactly on the pencil line.  Make very tiny adjustments, if needed.

 
 Step 6 - Pick out frames.  I thought the square ones were a perfect size for my project!  And...bought them using coupons I printed off from Michael's--score!

Step 7 - Cut white card stock to fit the desired frame, and paste black silhouette in the middle.  I used a double-sided scrapbook tape around entire perimeter of my silhouettes, to ensure a uniform seal.

 
 Step 8 - For added whimsy, I had my daughters and their cousins sign below their silhouettes (Actually, I had them sign the faint rulered-pencil line first, and then I pasted down the silhouette.  This ain't my first rodeo, ya know!)

 
 Step 9 - Frame it, baby!  Didn't they turn out?!  I have to say, I am a little proud.  I have wanted to try my hand at silhouettes for so long, and to have them turn out was verysatisfying.  I will admit that they were tedious work.  But, certainly achievable--especially if I took my time!

Step 10 - Hang those puppies, er, silhouettes on the wall!  Helpful hint:  Please do not attempt if you and your mom and sister are exhausted from a busy weekend.  Your brain will not be able to figure out the math measurements for fitting 7 frames into a wall space.  And, please, dear soul, do not attempt to hang them in a straight row.  Nearly impossible for human perfectionists.  Instead, stagger them.  Staggering is a beautiful attribute in the world of framing.  Can I get an amen?

These are hanging in the Kids' Room at my parent's house.  I didn't get a picture at my mother-in-law's house--sorry!!   Already, the cousins have enjoyed spotting each other, comparing signatures and upper lips.  (It's a family thing.)

I am SURE there are silhouette pros out there that are cringing at my efforts--and my tutorial.  For you silhouette smarties--are there helpful hints I am forgetting?  I am definitely a Trial and Error Girl, and this project was no exception!  C'mon--any helpful hinters out there?  Have you ever tried silhouettes?

And while you're at the helpful hinting, I might as well ask...  My next big project with silhouettes is to enlarge them (our 2 daughters') at least 200% and put them on 16"x 20" canvases over our Master bedroom bed.  Remember, a looooong time ago (nearly a year) I was lamenting over what to hang over the bed?  Well, welcome to MarytheKay World:  Where many projects sit unfinished, for lack of decisiveness. 

So, suggestions?  Do I have them printed at at copy shop onto black card stock (colored card stock??)....or onto vinyl at a sign shop?  And then, do I Modge Podge onto the canvas?  Brush some color onto the canvas, or leave it white?

Goodness, with this many decisions, it may be another year before I get around to it! 

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