DIY Silhouettes

 I have always liked the classic look of these profile silhouettes, and wanted to make some of my own. 

 They were super easy to put together, and I love how they look in our upstairs hallway.  

If you'd like to make some of your own, here are the supplies you'll need:

• Camera, computer, and printer
• Frames (you can use any size/shape/color)...I used these 5 X 7 frames from IKEA.
• Black card stock
• Card stock/scrapbook paper for background (I used paper with a very slight pattern...the girls have 1 pattern, the boys have a similar coordinating pattern)
• Wooden letters (I found mine at Hobby Lobby)
• Black paint
• Pen & Pencil
• Scissors

 To make them, all you need to do is...

1.) TAKE PICTURES:  Take profile pictures of your kids (preferably against a solid wall with no shadows).  The pictures don't need to be perfect by any means, just clear enough so that you have an easy profile to trace.  (TIP:  if you have girls, decide whether you want their hair up or down...my verdict is still out on which I like the best.)

2.) UPLOAD & PASTE:  Upload the pictures to your computer and then paste them into a Word document.

 3.) SIZE & PRINT:  Make them the size you want (I didn't have to re size mine at all....the size they defaulted to in Word was just right for the 5 X 7 openings in the frames I was using, yay!).  After you have them sized how you like, print them off on regular white computer paper (TIP: print in grey scale so you don't use any unnecessary ink!)

4.)  TRACE & CUT:  After they're printed, use a pen to carefully trace the outline you wish to use, making sure to be as detailed as you can.  Using sharp scissors, cut the profile out (TIP: be as detailed as possible....try to get any little eyelash/wisp of hair/curve in face/etc. that can be seen).

 5.)  TRACE & CUT AGAIN:  This time use a pencil, and trace the cut-out profile onto a black piece of card stock.  (TIP:  trace it facing the direction opposite of which you'd like it to face when it's framed).  And once again, carefully cut it out.

6.) MATTE & FRAME:  Glue the silhouette onto a piece of scrapbook paper that you've already cut out to fit in the frame opening.  (TIP:  glue the pencil side down, in case any pencil marks can still be seen).  Then center it into the frame as you would a photograph.
7.) ADD DETAILS if you'd like: I added the kids' initials (wooden letters I found at Hobby Lobby & painted black).  I used a hot glue gun to attach it straight to the glass on the front of the frame.

 This was a really fun project for me.  It was super easy, and I love how they turned out.

There are endless variations you could try....some ways to make it your own (and links to a few other examples):

• change up the frame - you can use a different shape (ie: oval or square), size, or color.  You could even use a canvas.
• change up the paper - I went with more of the traditional look, but I've seen silhouettes in other solid colors, against colorful patterned papers, like the apparently-popular chevron.
• add different details - you can include your kids' entire names, or monogram, or even include the age they are at the time the picture was taken.  you could add other things to the frames as well...with a hot glue gun, the options are endless.....=)
• use different mediums...paint or fabric instead of paper; canvas or wood instead of the traditional frame.