Black and White Photos

It's my favorite wall with some of my favorite people. Faces watching over me in my office.

Black and white pictures make a statement when grouped together, and yes, that is me in the lower left hand corner. 

Blessings,
Ele

 

Silhouette (2)

Silhouettes, such a lovely decor topic, that I just couldn't stop at one post. Yes, silhouettes have been around for centuries, and they can have a vintage classical feel, sometimes stuffy, but this next picture shows silhouettes with a modern, colorful twist. 

 

 

Black, white, and blue with splashes of vivid pink, orange, and one unexpected pop of red. Oh. how I love this. I can't tell for sure, but I imagine the black chaise in black velvet for luxurious texture.

 

Silhouettes can made by you for a personal touch, or can be purchased ready to stick, or hang on the wall.

Some basic instructions for making your own silhouette:

*Position child, cat, dog, etc. in profile position, in front of a white wall, (the finished silhouette will face in the opposite direction),
*Take photos , but make sure you are at the same eye level as your subject. You don't want it to look as if you are looking down or up at animal or child. Take several photos.
*Load camera photos to computer and print out an 8x10, or smaller size. You can enlarge photos on a copy machine if you want. Remember graininess of the picture does not matter. The actual picture will not be seen. 
*Use a LIGHT layer of spray glue and attach the back side of the actual picture to a heavy black card stock.
*With a sharp scissors, (smaller the better). Cut along the outline of the picture. Sometimes it helps to draw with a narrow Sharpee marker. Extend any eyelashes, or wisps of hair to add interest. 
*Turn picture over so the black card stock side is face up and check your cutting skills.
*Glue finished silhouette to a white (or even colored), background. Use a light layer of paper glue, or spray glue. 
*Frame, and if you are putting up more than two pictures add a little visual interest with dfferent frames, or frame widths. 

 

If you don't want to make your own silhouette, many styles are available from etsy. 

Remember stickers can easily be framed!

 

above pictures taken from

http://www.redcandy.co.uk

http://www.countryliving.com

http://www.decorartsnow.com

http://www.paperclips&playpens.com

 

 

Have a blessed end of the week,

Ele

 

Silhouettes

Just what is it that drives people to collect and decorate with silhouettes? Is it a hint of vintage fashion (my daughter), a little history, the mystery of a person, the beauty and purity of a black image against a white background (me), or caputuring the profile of someone dear to your heart.

 



Now, if you've never thought about creating and /or decorating with silhouettes just look at this picture from vastharrison.wordpress.com . Seriously, don't forget to breathe.

Why does this wall work? Oh, let me count the ways.

1. Three different main colors: In addition to the black and white the wall is painted a gorgeous blue.  Because silhouettes are 2 dimensional, this gives the wall a three dimensional look. 

2. Additional interest with an array neutral colors: The frames and matte boards are a mix of beige, white, black, green (yes dark green is neutral in this display), and gold (huge shout out for the gold!).

If all the frames matched it would be boring, boring, BORING. Did I say boring? The only time you want to match a wall of frames is if you are putting the pictures on a patterened wallpaper/paint technique and the wall would be too busy. 

3. Textural interest: All the frames are not shiny and smooth. This is a good thing, as Martha Steward would say. The gold frames add a swirly, chunky, ornate feel. 

4. A splash of something unexpected:  Did you notice..............
the yellow frame on the wall? This could have also been achieved with a little pop of color such as a pillow, on the bed, but this frame is pure genius. Kind of jealous it's not my design! 

5. Flow: The use of flow in this collection is superlative.  Look with those wonderful eyes of yours how they naturally move from the wall to the bed.

Now, don't be intimidated and think you have to think about all five of these points to hang up a wall with silhouette pictures. This could cause brain overload!

Here is a simple version created by my girl. Three thrift store fashion silhouettes angled on her wall. Unable to paint the walls, the look is a little two dimensional, but the roses (even though they are not on the wall) become part of the display and add a little color, texture, and dimension. The flow is created by hanging the pictures at an angle.  

 

Here are a couple of other walls decorated with silhouettes from sodarling.blogspot.com, and jamdogsgirl.blogspot.com.

 

Do you want to test yourself and play the 5 point game above?

 

Fireplace wall: 1) three colors are black, white, and blue. 2) additional neutrals with gold, white, creams, and patterns in blue 3) texture in chunky gold frame, wide and thin sleek frames, and the ornateness of the large blue frame. 4) unexpected is the purple hydrangea that is on the mantle (remember what is close by can also be considered part of the grouping). 5) the flow in this grouping is containted (surprise!). Everything is framed inside of the large blue frame.

 

Beige Hallway: 1) three colors  black , white, and coffee beige. 2) additional neutrals with gold, and various shades of cream used inside the frames. 3) texture in frames, sleek and chunky. 4) the unexpected is the colorful quilt hanging on the chair because it's close enough to be "part" of the wall display. 5) the flow goes from the floor to the ceiling!



 

When gathering a collection of silhouettes to hang on your wall there are several options such as: aquiring old,  creating new with online clip art, drawing actual people (like your kids), or buying silhouette stickers. Later this week I will provide you with some good links and techniques.

 

Until then, make it fabulous and classy.

Blessings, Ele 

 

Coco Channel, "A girl should be fabulous and classy."

Makover Chalkboard Style

It's one of those days. You know, the kind of day where you open the fridge, see the day old pizza, and are ecstatically thankful there are two pieces left. I am thankful for a lot of things today, and it was all inspired by the people who visited me at the Crafter's Barn yesterday. You know who you are (wink). I love seeing faithful customers, and oh, how you make me feel  loved.

Sometimes, I feel a little like a mother duck. I'm amazed that (you) are following me, and just when I think I'll look back and everyone will have gone to the pond on the other side, you are there!  You are wonderful people with beautiful souls. You amaze me, and are my inspiration.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.  

Which brings me to a very simple project: Chalkboard Style. Need something large to hang on a focal wall? Live in a rental and don't want to put a lot of holes in the wall? Don't want to spend a lot of money, or just want something really cute? Add a chalkboard. 

Here's what I did:
*went to the second hand store and found a hard cardboard 
  picture of a landscape without glass, but with a great detailed
  frame
*bought a can of spray chalkboard paint
*put a piece of painters plastic down outside
*put the picture on plastic and spray painted the daylight out of that
  picture (get it......turned it black, lol).
*Yes, I also painted the frame, but if the frame is a great color, or
  you want to spray paint the frame another color, you sure can. 
  Simply tape it off with painters tape, and cover with newspaper. 
*after the front is dry, flip over to the back and touch up the edges
 
Hint: It doesn't matter if there is a little texture or bumpiness on the picture/painting. The chalkboard paint will cover, and writing on it will work just fine!  Also, chalkboard spray paint works better for smaller areas, no brush marks.

Hanging up in my daughter's kitchen, chalkboard style!

I photoshopped the inside of the chalkboard, so I could write what I wanted, so the chalkboard looks grainier then it really is, but you get the idea.

Hope you all have a wonderful start to your week, and have many things to

 about!

 

Look for your blessings. They are there.

Thanks again, Ele

PS: My husband just walked in with crab from the grocery store (which I love, and he cooks!)......and I was being thankful for pizza. Who'd a thought? Candlelight and crab.................