Simple DIY Silhouettes

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If you have been following my blog for a while, you might remember this project :) But since we are in the final shopping days for  Mom, I thought I would re-post it. The stores are be filled with everything from perfume to jewelry, but in my book, nothing tops a handmade gift. Even if you have to make it yourself!

With that being said, one of the best handmade gifts a mother can recieve this year has got to be a silhouette. Silhouettes are 'soooo in' right now. Surf the web or browse Pinterest, and you will find these vintage images are getting a modern make-over.

But without Photoshop or a degree in graphic design, these projects might look a bit intimidating at first. And yes-  I know people have been making silhouettes forever! But when I googled the process and read how to do it the ‘old fashioned way’, I was a bit perplexed. How do you get a child to hold-still that long?!

 So I decided to tackle the project in the way that made the most sense to me. No complicated editing. Just simple steps that will help you create a timeless piece of art. There are probably more efficient ways. But this worked for us.

 Here is what you will need:
-camera
-computer
-black card stock
-a pencil

 I had my girls sit still for a minute (turn on the tv to help!) and took a photo of their profile. Having a window or light source behind them seemed to help illuminate their little faces.

 Then I inserted the photos into a Word document and made each picture big enough to fill an 8.5 x11 document. I printed out the enlarged photos and then cut out each face.

And then I traced them on black card stock and cut those out.

To show them off, I decided to place them on a newspaper covered background. So I used mod podge to adhere the newsprint to a piece of cardboard. And then I used mod podge again to attach the silhouettes. I was happy with the finished framed project.  But I felt something was missing...

 So I added some hair bows :) Perfect.

Did you craft any special gifts this week? What are your plans for celebrating 'mom'? 

Happy Mother's Day!

You might also like my Crafty Frame and Free Mother's Day Printable! See it here.

Sharing my Silhouettes here: Too Much Time on My Hands, Home Stories A to Z , Tatertots and Jello, The 36th Avenue, Serenity Now, Under the Table and Dreaming,  Be Different, Act Normal , 
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