Thursday, April 30, 2015

Family Room Pictures on a Budget

For quite a while, I've been looking for a new picture, or art piece for the family room.  
The wall and sofa are off center, and some what of a "challenge" to find something to fit the space. 
I hadn't found anything, and then Hubbs remembered he had some unused LP album frames, which I could use if I wanted to make something. 

Please excuse the black cord on the floor...it's my laptop cord which I forgot to move.
I started thinking of things to frame...pretty scrapbook paper, stencils, etc., but I decided to take photos around the yard...images of things that were "organic".
I took a lot of pics, and finally decided on these:

Mahonia seeds...near the shed.

Here's a closeup of the "matting". I made it with paper burlap that I found in the craft section at Walmart. 

The frame backing/liner was white and the burlap fairly coarse, so I used a brown wrapping paper under the burlap so it would be all brown...not brown and white "checked".
I cut both pieces about 1.5 inches larger all around the back/liner, folded the edges up, and taped them down. 


This is an old log in the back garden.

I mounted each photo to a foam core square using double stick tape.

Japanese Painted Fern in a concrete pot by the back steps.

Rusty slats from an old whiskey barrel planter.


Celtic design in the center of the bird bath in the pine island.

Lichens on a boulder by the driveway.

The project cost almost nothing since I already had the frames and foam core, and the photo paper was free when I bought printer ink.
The paper burlap was on sale for $3.50 and the brown paper for underneath was about $4.00..oh, and $1. for a roll of double stick tape.
So, the project cost just under $10 for six pictures.  

I have to tell you I had lots of help from Hubbs.  
He's good with math, and figured out the frame spacing, and then hung them so they'd be level. He also cut the foam core squares for the photos... all that stuff I have no patience doing. And, bless his little pea pickin' heart, he even cleaned up the mess I made from cutting the burlap. 
Well, we're having a yard sale tomorrow, so I guess I'd better get busy. 
Wish us luck.
xo Babs


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11 comments:

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

What a fabulous idea. Ilove it.

Stacey said...

That's a great idea and means so much more to you than something purchased.

Pat said...

Babs,
LOVE your Gallery wall, dear friend!!!
I am quite smitten with the idea of using "Art" from your lovely Gardens!!!
Thanks for sharing your resources and the finished wall!!!
Much $uccess with your Garage $ale. . .think there might be one in our near future, also!!!
Fondly,
Pat

Kelly said...

That's such a good idea! I love how that turned out. I like that you were able to use pics of your own of things that have meaning to you. You have one of a kind artwork now! Good luck with your garage sale tomorrow. The weather should be perfect for it!

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

Very creative- great idea taking your own pictures for this project. I like how they turned out. I've never heard of the paper burlap before. I always recruit Dan to hang my pictures or there would be too many holes! Have fun with the garage sale. :-)

Lady of the Manor said...

Great idea and beautiful photography!!!

Ann @ Corner of Plaid and Paisley said...

Wow, your gallery looks great! how nice to do all that for only $10!! You go girl!

AnnMarie aka Vintage Junkie aka NaNa said...

How creative! Never have seen the burlap paper...good ole' Walmart has everything! Your wall looks great!

The Charm of Home said...

That looks great Barb!

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Love this idea of using photos of things from your garden! You chose some really unique ones. Love the matting and wow, what a bargain! Hope the yard sale went well. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann

Karen @ karensuponthehill said...

What a great idea! They are just gorgeous!
Thanks for sharing!
Karen