That’s right, I’m on blogcation. What is blogcation you ask? Just a word I made up (more than likely I’m not the first person ever to think of this clever term). I’m spending the week loving on my family and enjoying these last pieces of summer! I’ve searched the archives for some of my favorite posts to date to share with you all this week! Some of you are new and so these will be exciting and fresh – to others perhaps a review.
Today’s recycled post is from January and is one of my favorite DIY projects! If you haven’t given it a try, please go for it this week!
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Okay, okay so I am passionate about photography. That much is true if you know anything about me. Images of my boys cover my walls and take up more space than anything else on my hard drive. Plain and simple – I love taking, sharing, and printing photos. After all, they are the things we will look back upon with glistening eyes when our babies are grown and gone, right?
In the coming months I will be talking a lot about photography – tips and tricks, things I have learned over the years. There will be many an article on creative ways to engage your little ones, as well as the importance of backing up and printing. Today however, I am writing about a super fun and easy way to literally make your photos stand out.
Supplies needed
- Foam board - You can purchase this at Michaels or any other craft store. I have even seen it for sale at Target. It comes sized 20 x 30 and is typically no more than a few dollars a sheet. I get mine in white, but i know it is available in many other colors as well.
- Craft knife – There are many kinds out there. If you have an exacto lying around that will work just fine. A word of warning though, be sure your blade is up to par, if it is even slightly dull you will end up with a less than seamless edge. No fun.
- Rotary mat & acrylic ruler- If you are a seamstress chances are you have one of these hanging around. I am a huge fan of Fiskars. Their 24×36 self healing mat and 6×24 acrylic ruler are faves of mine.
- Adhesive - Adhesive is quite important to this project! A friend who made some foam mounted prints recently used an adhesive foam board. I went with a non-adhesive and used some double sided sticky tape I had left here from a previous scrap project.
- Photo(s) - An obvious one. I am a lover of black & whites, so most of my enlargements are converted. I actually had the photos for this project printed at Costco. I went with 12×18s and picked them up in just an hour!
- Easel – This is an optional one of course, but it is my preferred way to display a foam mounted print. I love the classic look to this beauty found at Joann Fabric for only $4.99.
The fun stuff
Alrighty now, turn on some Norah Jones and light a yummy candle. Plop yourself down on the floor with all of your supplies. It is really very simple.
- Adhere your photo to the foam board. Get all of your edges and do your best to get a smooth finish with the least amount of “bubbles” as possible.
- Cut your project out. With a firm hand and a lot of pressure, hold your acrylic ruler down on the edge of the photo and using one swift cut, start at the top and make your way down.
- Hold it high and smile. You might even want to do a happy dance. What a gorgeous little piece of art you just made!
- Keep in mind… foam board can be tricky to work with if you aren’t careful. Like mentioned above, try your best to make only one cut per side. The more times you lift and start again the choppier it will be. You want as seamless a cut as possible. Now, set your new eye candy atop the adorable easel you got and proudly show it off to anyone who will look!
How do you display your favorite images? Have you ever tried mounting on foam board? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
