Letter Gallery Knock Off

I've fallen in love with the "Letter Gallery" portraits. I just couldn't justify spending $130
(ON SALE) for something I could create myself.

So I did some searching online and found this fun website where you can spell with picture letters. It's simple to use. Just type in what you'd like to spell, then click "Spell". They will come up with random picture letters from Flickr. If you are unhappy with the results they found for you, simply click on each letter until you're happy with the results.
They will provide you with a blog code if you'd like to import it into your blog.

I actually took it a step further because I wanted a higher quality photo to enlarge. I found the code to the original source by looking in the "Blogging code" section {you'll see something like this} http://www.flickr.com/photos/63943575@N00/3753496094. Copy the copy and paste into a new browser. You'll be able to find the original source of the photo. I emailed the photographer for permission to copy and print. Most photographers are just fine with you copying the picture as long as you're not reproducing it or profiting from it in any way. But it's always best to ask.

I measured the inner dimensions of my frame and popped those sizes into photoshop. Then I designed the canvas including the letter pictures and our names.

If you are interested in purchasing a professional "Letter Gallery Portrait" you can find one
HERE.

Silhouette Tile Sign

4" tiles
White Vinyl lettering Words: Love, Cherish, Adore (If you need this please contact me)
Adhesive Glitter paper
Pre-cut Silhouette
Epoxy Resin
Paint
Popsicle Stick
Soup can
Straw

• For my silhouette I took a side shot of each of my children. I know there are easier ways to do this...but I have other uses for the silhouette. So I used my pen tool in photoshop and traced around the silhouette actually turning it into a custom shape. Then I re sized the silhouette to fit the tile.

• Print and cut the silhouette.

• Cut, sand, and paint a piece of wood to fit your tiles. ( Mine ended up being 6" x 15")

• Trace your tile onto the glitter paper. You'll need one cut per tile.

• Since the glitter paper was already adhesive, I just pressed it down onto the tile.
  

• Sand the excess glitter paper (I used a belt sander) off the tile.

• Use a heavy duty glue to adhere the silhouette onto the glitter paper. (I used mod podge at first, but it didn't adhere to the glitter very well.)
  

• Make SURE the silhouette is glued well and the corners don't stick up.

• Mix your epoxy resign according to package directions. Usually it's a two part mixture. (You wont need much mixed)
  

• Prop your tiles up on a can of soup.

• Slowly drizzle about a teaspoon amount of resign on each tile. Start spreading it around with a Popsicle stick. Add more resign as needed. It won't need very much.
  

• As the resign starts to dry it will spread. If you put too much on it will run off the sides of the tile. You'll need to make sure to run a Popsicle stick underneath the tile to scrape the excess resign. DO NOT leave any amount of resign on the bottom of the tile.)

• Slowly blow through the straw to pop the tiny bubbles on the tile.

• Once again check to make sure the resign isn't on the bottom or sides of the tile.
  

• After 24 hours you can glue the tile to the board and add your vinyl lettering.
  

***If you make this I'd love to see how yours turn out.****

Corner Bookmark

This is the first "Try A Tutorial Tuesday"!! Yea!!!
What is "Try A Tutorial Tuesday" you ask? It's where you:

1. Try a craft tutorial
2. Site and give links as where to find the original tutorial
3. Tell us how you put your own spin on the tutorial

*You may not re-post the tutorial on your blog. They have done all the work and you can re-direct your readers to their blog. Let them know they've been featured! They'll love it I'm sure!
If you feel you have changed the project so dramatically and you've altered it enough that you feel it no longer resembles theirs...{use at your discretion.}
then you can t post the tutorial on your blog.

• I found this tutorial posted on the ever so crafty "Chocolate On My Cranium" where you can find her tutorial on how to make a Corner Bookmark.

• If it weren't for her picture tutorial I think I'd have been a little confused. But because of her fabulous step by step pictures I was able to figure it out.

• I basically followed her directions, except I used a double sided scrapbook paper. So I didn't need to glue a contrasting paper to the bottom. She used a beautiful stamp on her triangle, but mine is basic and plain. I felt the word "Read." said it all.

*If you were featured, be sure to grab a button

Valentines Mini Mailbox

Mini Mailbox (I got mine in the dollar section at target)
2 pieces of contrasting scrapbooking paper (one needs to be a 12 x 12)
Ribbon
Stickers
Mod Podge
Scissors
"You've got mail" computer print out
Antiquing Ink

• Cut a 12 x 12 scrapbooking paper into a 4" x 12" strip.

• Antique the edges of the paper (if desired)

• Measure the paper around the mailbox and lightly sketch onto you paper where the mailbox flag will be.

• Cut a U-shape out of the paper
  
  

• Take the ends off the mailbox.

• Quickly mod podge the paper to the mailbox. (The paper will overlap just a little on the bottom)

• Trace the mailbox end on the coordinating paper. Do this for both ends. Cut out the paper. Ink the edges.
  

• Mod podge the paper to the mailbox ends.
  

• Print "You've got mail" in your photo editing software or word program.
  

• Glue or mod podge the "You've got mail" print onto the mailbox ends.
  

• Add additional ribbon, stickers and embellishments to add to your beautiful masterpiece!

My daughter made little envelopes to fit inside the mini mailbox. She's been leaving us daily valentines! What a sweety!

Valentines Day Tile Picture

*My project I did using a digital scrapbooking kit
{Credits: "A Year Of Memories.February" By: Dani Mogstad & Shawna Clingerman}


Tile Projects Included in your download

Items Needed:
6" x 8" Tile (found at Home Depot or Lowes for a few bucks)
Pre-Printed digital scrapbooked picture
(Or you can use a picture and regular scrapbooking paper)
Mod Podge
Sponge Brush
Sandpaper

Optional:
Acrylic Texturing Gel
Plastic Grocery Bag

Step 1: Hopefully you're familiar with a photo editing program to use the download. Just simply drag and drop your picture behind the pre-made template included in the download. It was made to fit a 8 x 6 tile. Then you can drag and drop your photo to a 8 x 10 template for printing.

Step 2: Print your photo
(I print mine at Sams club. The colors have less of a chance of bleeding when adding the mod podge when using professional photo paper.)

{ If using photo and scrapbooking paper, gather supplies.}

Step 3: Trim excess photo paper to fit 8 x 6 tile.

Step 4: Quickly brush mod podge onto the tile. Firmly press your picture onto the tile. Let it dry.
{If it bubbles, wait a few minutes then press the picture down}

Step 5: Once the photo tile is dry sand the excess paper off the edges. I LOVE the look it gives. It looks as though the picture is flush with the tile.

{Idea: add distressing ink around the edges for an antiqued look}
Optional:
Dip a small corner of a crumpled plastic bag into the Acrylic Texturing Gel. Dab the gel onto the tile until you get the desired look. Let dry overnight.

DOWNLOAD LINKS