Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Picture Perfect


A few years ago I attended Holiday Mart in Indianapolis. There I found a booth that sold framed picture letters that spell out a word of your choice. You pick the letter photos from their selection and they frame it for you in a simple black frame with a black mat. I had seen pre-framed words like 'FAMILY', 'CREATE' and 'LOVE' at Target or Bed, Bath & Beyond and special order on-line. What I found so appealing about the photos at this particular booth was that they had a box of photo letters taken in and around Indianapolis. I decided to splurge and get a frame with our last name for my in-laws (aka The People Who Have Everything). Thrilled that I could use the Colts horseshoe for the 'U' so my FIL would be represented! I had the pictures installed in a 5-slot matted frame for the low price of $150!!! Say What??! *Uuuuum, No, I did not forget the decimal point!*

Boy! did I want one of those for myself but I would never hear the end of it from Handy Hubby : ) if I bought 2! I loved the idea sooooo much that I thought to myself - as I know many of you do too - "I bet I could make my own". Now, I'm not a professional photog but I am a girl with a camera and I do know my ABC's. How hard could it be? What I discovered is how FUN it could be!! Now I see 'letters' everywhere *sometimes even sitting in church - sorry God!*. I made several frames for the people we drew names for that Christmas. What fun we had thinking about each family, their interests, places that are relevant and significant for them.


I've taken pictures at church and have come up with 'FAITH' and 'LOVE' frames. The 'FAITH' frame I donated to the church auction titled "I Spy 'FAITH' at ***". (do you think God forgave me for my wandering mind?)




The 'LOVE' frame I have given as baby/baptism gifts because the 'O' came from the baptismal font.










My daughter & I each made one for our French-speaking friends. We used the same word 'AMIE' *'female friend' in French* but her letters were picked for a 16 yr old girl.






And mine were picked for a high school French teacher who is my shopping/ lunch buddy.

I have the pictures printed up in sepia or black & white depending on the color of the mat. Sepia prints against a white mat can create a dirty look. What I learned is you can see the 'letters' better when you remove the color. Pictures with high contrast work best. And I've learned that some people are letter purists and think that taking pictures of actual letters is cheating...


Here is a frame I put together that represents my little family. Each letter is the first letter in each of our names. The first 'S' is for Handy Hubby : ) who always says "Our door is always open, just knock first..." 'E' is for me. Home is where my heart is *see the bird's nest?*. 'C' is for my son who is away at college most of the time, so his letter is to remind him that any distance can be bridged with a phone call *or text, whatever*. 'A' is for my daughter who spends a lot of time at church. For me and my house, we will serve the Lord. & 'S' is for my younger daughter. The picture is of the sidewalk in front of her school. Her letter is a reminder that I'm glad we are traveling on life's journey together. So, although our pictures are simple, they are meaningful to me!

Because each frame was highly personalized, I decided the original $150 price tag was justified because it generated lots of special gifts! And with Father's Day right around the corner YOU have just enough time to get out there with your camera and come up with something special for the Dad's in your life : ) I would LOVE for you to share your creations with me!!

ps sorry about the pictures - I'm crafty, not computer savvy...


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Blessings!!

MLE

15 comments:

♥Jennette♥ said...

Such a great idea!

I am a new follower from Tag along Tuesday! Hope you follow as well. Have a great day.
Jennette
Smart and Trendy Moms
http://www.smartandtrendymoms.com/

Tara @ Tara Being Tara said...

I LOVE these! I first discovered this idea at a craft fair a few years ago, and you could order one with your last name on it for the small price of a few hundred bucks. Did you just start seeing letters everywhere once you started looking for them??

Just Trying To Save Money said...

Very Cute!!

Hi, following from Tuesday Tag!!

www.justtryingtosavemoney.com

Sunshine of Seven said...

I love your letter pictures! The girls & I are doing one for Father's day!

Thanks for stopping by my blog:)

Lyndsey said...

Awesome! I've been wanting to do this since I first saw one, but it's been on my "someday" list. I think somedy will have to be sooner rather than later since you make it look so easy. I'm a new follower from Someday crafts linky

Ott, A. said...

Thanks for stoppin' by for a Latte'. The letter pictures and very fun and very creative! So glad I found you blog and can be your newest follower. I read your post about the checkered flag. I'm a bears fan and my husband is a Packers fan, so we fly a colts flag to be neutral. :)

Cindy said...

I love your letter pictures. I think I will go and try it! Wish me luck.

The Autocrat: Haley said...

Wow!! Those look fabulous!!! Great job!

Morgan//Nuts and Bows said...

These are too cool! You are an awesome photographer!

~Morgan

Meet Virginia!
Meet Virginia!!
Meet Virginia!!!

Elizabeth said...

I've seen this kind of stuff before and I always think that the person behind it must have such a wonderful eye to see letters in what others think are just 'things'...they are just beautiful, anyone should be very happy to one in their home.

Melissa Miller said...

Hi Emily,
Wow! Those were really expensive. I love the letter pictures! They came out so pretty!
I would love to try it too.

Thanks for coming by for a sweet visit. I do remember you and your gorgeous bench and tables. So nice! Come by anytime okay!

Have a wonderfully blessed day. ~Melissa :)

Becca Bertotti said...

Hi Emily, WOW(!), these are great !! I love what you've done ... so creative and your photography is beautiful !! Your friends will be lucky to receive them as gifts !! And, thank you so much for stopping by and leaving me such a kind note about my master bedroom redo !! Take care, Becca

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

What a perfect idea....I LOVE all of them...and your personal ones MORE than the 150 dollar number.

Warm blessings,
Spencer

The Pennington Point said...

I have seen these and wondered if I could do it myself. I am so glad you figured it our for me...too much trouble. But yours are wonderful. It takes a creative mind to see letters in everyday things. Lisa~

Helen said...

Hi Emily! You now have me looking for letters everywhere. I love the personal touch in decorating and these certainly have that along with all the love you put into each one!