Silhouette Step-by-Step

{H's sweet little silhouette. I love the way his turned out}.

I've really wanted to do a DIY of my children's silhouettes for quite some time now, but I wanted to do a unique spin on the traditional, black-and white paper cut variety. When I saw this D*S article, I knew it was the one for me. This project was so quick and so simple that I even let my four-year-old help. If you want to make a silhouette painting of your own, here's what you'll need: blank canvas, two colors of paint (I used acrylic), one full sheet label, foam paintbrush and/or foam paint roller, and a photo of your subject (in profile, obviously).

Here are the steps:

1. Paint the canvas. This is the color that you want the actual silhouette to be

2. Print the photo on the label sheet

3. Cut out the silhouette. (I traced the outline of the head so I had a clear cutting line).

4. When the canvas is dry, stick the photo label on the canvas. (Make sure the edges stick really well so your silhouette is really well defined.)

5. Paint over top of it with the second color. (The color you want framing the silhouette) HINT: work fast on this step. If the label gets too wet, it will start to slide around. I painted with a foam brush first to spread the paint, then smoothed it out with a foam roller.

6. Remove the label

7. Wait for the canvas to dry. Touch up any blobby areas with a fine-tipped brush.

8. Hang up your new artwork.

9. Enjoy all the compliments you receive on your brilliant creative abilities.

So the final project didn't turn out exactly as I'd planned. My original intention was to have all four of our profile portraits hanging in the entryway. After I got them all done, B and I decided that the kids had much cuter profiles that we do...so we just used theirs. Plus, mine was in yellow, B's was in green and hanging side by side it looked like a tribute to the Oakland A's. {We're fans, mind you. But not the kind that would be adorning our home in green and yellow}.

Step 1: Paint the canvas. I painted mine white, because I wanted the inside to be white.

Step 4: Stick the label to the canvas.

H. was really excited to stand still for his photo. :)

Step 9. Enjoy your new artwork.

Work In Progress

I've been sick all weekend, so while I'm getting my butt in gear for the week, here's a quick peek at my most current project. I got my inspiration from this post. I'll be back tomorrow with a look at the finished project and my how-to photos.

Too Cute for Words

I don't have words adequate to describe how much I love these tiny dresses from Etsy shop all the numbers. Pretty sure that top one is going to haunt me for days and weeks to come.

Mantle Style

The top project on my list right now is decorating the mantle. I love the idea of a collection of items grouped together on the mantle. Here are some of my favorites:

I will certainly be using this idea come summer when all my roses are blooming. (The stipulation being that I don't kill them in the meantime).

I really, really love the fresh clean look of assorted clear jars and the colorful blooms.

{via Design*Sponge}

Vintage bottles look like a work of art when grouped together.

{via Country Home}

Three amaryllis together look so lovely with the rest of the tone on tone decor.

{via flickr}

I love the eclectic grouping of frames and plates--since it's all in black and white it works together so well.

{via flickr}

We'll see how mine comes together. My goal is to have it done by the end of next week. I feel an inspiration board coming on.

What's on your mantle right now?

Put Some Spring in your Bling

I'm back, and a little delirious, as evidenced by that awesomely cheesy post title. I'm so sorry for running out on you last week. But now I'm back and re-energized, thanks to a really, really great girls weekend in the City with some of the closest friends I've ever had. We haven't seen each other for a year and a half. So as you can imagine there was plenty to catch up on and more laughter than I thought humanly possible.

Despite the rain, it's starting to look like spring is around the corner--thanks to the surprise daffodils blooming in my yard and the gorgeous new spring collections popping up in stores. Here are a few new jewelry items I've been preoccupied with lately. Hope you had a good weekend!

Clockwise from top left: cara couture bracelet, banana republic earrings, juicy couture ring, lauren bracelet, kate spade earrings.