Hey Ladies!
Just wanted to quickly share with you a project that I completed for my fireplace mantle.
I have always wanted to have a picture of each of my boys placed above their Christmas stockings. But since I have been blogging, I have fallen in love with silhouettes. So I decided to make a silhouette of each of my sons for my mantle.
Here’s how I did it…
First I took a profile picture of each of my boys. It’s works best to have a white or light colored background.
Then I made a photo copy of it on my printer. I shrunk them to 75% to fit on my tile. You could make them as large or as small as you wanted to. I also made them a little darker so I could see the outline of their faces even better for when I needed to cut them out.
(Okay, I am laughing here…is it just me, or do these look like “mug shots”? Hee, hee…my four little criminals!)
Back to the tutorial…
Next, I cut the pictures apart and placed each one on a piece of black construction paper.
Then I used my scissors to cut around the outline of each child’s head and here’s what I got…
I love them already!
Then I took my white tiles that I had left over from my coaster project and covered them with a layer of Mod Podge. I used a sponge brush to apply the Mod Podge.
(The tiles can be purchased at Lowes or Home Depot for about 20 cents a piece, and the Mod Podge can be purchase at Wal-Mart or any craft store.)
I placed the silhouette on top of the Mod Podge and let it dry completely. (I did have to keep pressing the silhouette down to make sure it was sticking and didn’t bubble up.)
Then I placed a layer of Mod Podge on top of each silhouette and let it dry completely.
I was trying to come up with an easy way to make the tiles stand up by themselves on the mantle, and here is what I found…
Little metal picture frames from the Dollar General Store! They were 50 cents a piece, so I paid $2.00 for all of them. (Duh.)
I just hot glued them to the back of the tiles.
Perfect!
I was going to add a gingham bow to the top, but it was a little to “girly” for all my boys!
So for now, I am going to leave them plain.
Aren’t they sweet? Not the tiles….My Boys! :)
I’d like to do a little more with my mantle, but my decorating skills are lacking a little right now. Too much “other stuff” going on during the Christmas season.
But hey, simple is good, right?
(I got the lanterns at Goodwill a couple of years ago, but this is the first time I have used them. They were missing the glass pieces. I think I paid 4 or 5 dollars a piece for them at Goodwill. I got the glass globes at Hobby Lobby this week for $1.5o a piece.)
They look beautiful all lit up!
Well, that’s it!
I am linking this post to…
Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch,
Make it for Monday at Cottage Instincts,
DIY Day at A Soft Place to Land,
DIY Showoff Holiday Highlights,
Show and Tell, at Blue Cricket Designs, and
Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Chic Cottage.
Thanks for stopping by!
I love them! Thanks for the tutorial, I have been wanting to do some silhouettes of our boys but didn't know where to start…this helps a lot.
THAT is brilliant. I love it! I'm going to get busy and do one of my grandaughter for her mama. Love how it all looks on your "simple" mantel. Very nice.
Gwyn Rosser
The Pink Tractor
http://www.gwynrosser.blogspot.com
Another fabulous idea! Thank you for sharing how you did it. I love it!!!!
How creative and clever is that!!! You could even make these to leave out all year long. Thanks for the tutorial… I am keeping it on file :)
So cute!! I love it!
Love that idea. I've got to start now on my Christmas idea list for next year…I'm outta time! Your mantle looks beautiful–so classic. I had to laugh when I saw the mug shots…I mean profile shots, he he!
They look great, Traci! Simple is good–and these look wonderful!
And yes, little boys are sweet!
Traci,
I love your silhouettes for your boys stockings. They are simple, but sweet…the boys and the silhouettes. (smile) Your creative idea could be used to give as gifts to the grandparents as well.
BEAUTIFUL and so personal – I love the idea.
Sylvia
Love the way those turned out. I have been planning on doing some silhouette project whit my kids for Christmas, but I wasn't sure what yet. Turned out beautiful!
those are great, traci! i admit to a little chuckle when you said your decorating skills were lacking a little right now.
W-H-A-T-E-V-E-R! :-)
Morning, Traci. Oh, I love this. You are just too good! Those little mug shots are darling! :)
Your mantle looks lovely!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
That is adorable! Thanks for the tutorial! I may just have to make some silhouettes of my own.
did you put hooks on them? or did you just tuck the stocking under them?
Merry Christmas to you and your sweet family.
This is a great idea!
Blessings,
d
Very cute idea! Lots of great ideas from it!
That is a wonderful idea!!! I am going to try this with my little girl! Just lovely!
SO cute! Now I want to do these of my kids. They do kind of look like mug shots. Thanks for sharing.
Silhouettes are always fun and stylish and your stocking hangers turned out fantastic. Great job.
Traci,
I'd say that both the boys and the finished tiles look good! or even GREAT! Thanks for sharing your creative ideas, have you thought about writing a book????… Dee Dee
Girl, you just amaze me!!! Thanks for the inspiration. I so enjoy all your ideas:)
Blessings to you,
Melissa
Very classic, simple and elegant. Of course you are the queen of finding cool things at the dollar store. I love them.
tammy
Wow! I have always wondered how to do this. Now I know. Thank you!
Oh how cute and how creative. I love this.
Have a Blessed Week,
Sherry
Traci this is so special amd really turned out lovely! What a wonderful Holiday idea.
Thank you for visiting tonight and your kindness.
I always enjoy seeing a sweet comment from you.
Enjoy this blessed and joyous season!
~Warmly, ~Melissa :)
Super cute!! What an inexpensive & great treasure to always have.
Thanks for sharing,
Nicole
Love this idea!!
Wow, those are great – something I definitely would like to try when I have kids. :o)
Great job 7 thanks for stopping by World of Dennifer!
I've been wanting to do silhouettes of my for a while – now that I can see how easy it is,I have to do it! They look awesome!
Great Idea! you've got me thinking now!
TOO cute! What an awesome idea for stocking hangers. :D
Simple is perfect! These look great and you took something that some might think is difficult and made it seem so easy! I think the wreath, lanterns and these silhouette tiles are all you really need on your mantle.
Here is a perfect example of less is more…I ♥ your mantle.
These are so nice! You are so creative ~ and I'll bet the boys are very pleased that they occupy a special place on the mantel. Everything looks beautiful and Christmasy!
So cute! I love how they all look displayed and the photo holder trick is perfect! Thanks for linking!
Thanks for the tips on making silhouettes. The stocking holders look very nice!
Wonderful idea! Thanks so much for the tutorial!
Love your blog!
What a clever and cute idea!! Love it!!
These are adorable. Love them.
-Jill
Great idea! Wow four boys! I have to commend you for that alone. I have two boys and I can't imagine having double!
So cute and so original. This is new and refreshing! Thanks for sharing. Come check my transformation out & let me know what you think.
What a creative idea! I have never seen anybody do this but it is so clever and so cute! I just love silhouettes. Your boys are very handsome.