How to Capture Tiny Newborn Features

Newborn Picture Collage

 

I know bringing home a new baby is a busy time, but this is definitely something to remember to do shortly after baby is born!  Babies grow so quickly.  In what seems like a moment's time those tiny fingers and toes don't seem so small anymore.  A collection of photos of baby's tiny parts is just the way to remember how small you're little one actually was! 

 

How to Capture Those Parts

 

I knew that I wanted to make a collage containing nine pictures of my son.  I thought about the various things I would like to include in my collage.  His feet, hands, ears, nose, lips, belly button, hair, and eyes were all priorities.  Those pictures would fill up eight spots on my collage.  For the ninth spot I chose a picture of his profile, which I thought was precious because it included the parts of his face and his tiny hand. 

 

Step 1: Take the Photos

 

In order to create a collage I took close-up photographs of the previously mentioned parts.

 

Step 2: Convert to Black & White

 

Using the photo editing software that comes with your camera or any other software that you are familiar with, change the photograph to black and white.

 

Step 3: Crop the Pictures

 

I chose to make my collage on Shutterfly.  It was not too expensive, and it was easy to create.  When you add the pictures to the collage Shutterfly automatically crops it to the size that will fit in the allotted space.  If you chose to make your collage on your own using Photoshop or another program, you will need to crop the picture to the appropriate size.  

 

Check out the photographs that I took and the steps that I went through to utilize the pictures in my collage.

 

Ear

Eye

Nose

Hair

Hands/Fingers

Profile

Lips

Belly Button

Feet

 

 

The Print of the Collage

 

On Shutterfly I selected an 11X14" collage.  I inserted each of the photographs into the nine spots on the collage.  The final collage was printed on photo paper and sent to me.  The picture above is a copy of what the final collage looked like.

 

Framed Collage

I then framed the collage in a white frame with a white matte and placed it on a shelf in my son's room.  You can see the final product in the pictures above!

How to Make an Old Window into a Picture Frame

 

For my sister-in-law's bridal shower, my mom wanted to make her a special gift containing pictures of my sister-in-law and my brother.  My mom decided to make an old window into a picture frame.  Here's how she did it...

 

Steps to Make an Old Window into a Picture Frame

 

Step 1: Get an Old Wooden Window

 

You can find old windows at flea markets, yard sales, or antique stores.  We found the one above at a flea market for five dollars!  Make sure that the window you purchase is in good condition.  Be aware of any rotting wood that might be starting to occur in the old window.

 

Step 2: Apply Painter's Tape to the Glass

 

Apply painter's tape around the edges of the glass that are touching the wood.  This will protect the glass when you are sanding, as well as painting the wooden parts of the window.

 

Step 3: Sand the Window

 

To ensure a smooth finish, sand any old paint or rough spots off of the wooden parts of the window.  Make sure that you apply painter's tape to the glass.  If the sand paper touches the glass, it will leave marks in the glass.  After sanding, wipe the window clean.

 

Step 4: Apply Primer

 

Use a primer on the wooden parts of the window to make sure that any old stain does not bleed through.  This will also help to prevent rotting of the wood.  Remove the painter's tape immediately after applying the primer. 

 

Step 5: Apply Paint



Reapply painter's tape, then paint the wood a color of your choice.  We chose to paint our window frame black.  After painting, remove the painter's tape immediately.  After the paint dried we distressed the edges of the frame to give it a more rustic look.  If you choose to distress your frame, use a fine grit sandpaper on the edges of the frame.  This will strip some of the paint away, leaving the unfinished wood to show through, thus giving it a country/antique finish.

 

Step 6: Get a Plexiglass Acrylic Sheet

 

Get a Plexiglass Acrylic Sheet from a local hardware store.  You will need to have this piece of plexiglass cut to a size that will cover the back of your window frame. 

 

Step 7: Add Pictures to the Plexiglass Acrylic Sheet

 

Using double stick tape, place the pictures onto the plexiglass.  Make sure that the pictures are positioned exactly how you would like them to look when you place the plexiglass behind the window. 

Step 8: Attach the Plexiglass Acrylic Sheet to the Window

Drill several small holes around the outside edges of the plexiglass.  Place the plexiglass on the back of the window (check to make sure that the pictures are lined up perfectly within the window panes).  Drill tiny screws into the holes that you previously made in the plexiglass.  This will secure the plexi-glass to the window.  Be careful not to insert the screw too far, or you might crack the plexiglass.

Step 9: Add a Quote

 

 

At the top of the frame we added a quote that says, "All because two people fell in love."  This quote is made out of white vinyl, which was cut on a Cricut machine.

 

The Completed Window Picture Frame

Baby Bride and Bungalow's Crafty Products

Never heard of Baby Bride and Bungalow?  Well, it's about time that you did!  My friend Christy, interior designer turned Entrepreneur, started a small creative business, and she can make just about anything.  Her creations are chic, trendy, and super cool!  Christy specializes in invitations and printed products, but she has several other items as well.  The following are some of the things that she has made for me.  You can find her store on Etsy at www.babybrideandbungalow.com. 

Baby Silhouette Keepsake

 

I asked Christy, of Baby Bride and Bungalow, to make something special for my brother and sister-in-law containing my niece's silhouette and hand prints and footprints.  I took a profile picture, stamped my niece's tiny hands and feet on a piece of paper, and then Christy went to work.  The artwork above is what she created.  It turned out beautifully!  My sister-in-law even cried when I gave it to her, she was so touched!

Framed Poem

My brother wrote a poem for my sister-in-law and niece that he wanted to give to them for Christmas.  He wanted to have it printed so that it could be displayed in his house.  Rather than type the poem himself on Microsoft Word, he got it done Baby Bride and Bungalow style!  Christy typed poem using a lovely font and then enhanced it by by adding graphics that corresponded with the message of the poem as a washout in the background.  She then had poem printed and framed it.  The frame that she chose matches the one used in the Baby Silhouette Keepsake pictured above. 

Alphabet Canvas Wall Art

Before my son was born, my friends surprised me with a sprinkle (a small shower for your second child).  Christy made this 16" x 20" alphabet canvas wall art for me.  It is so adorable and looks great in my son's bedroom!  It would make a perfect addition to any child's bedroom or toy room.

Wooden Letter "G"

I wanted to purchase a large wooden "G" to place on a shelf in my son's bedroom.  I was shopping all around for the perfect wooden letter, when Christy said that she could make one for me.  I even got to pick the font style!  The letter is about 24" tall and is made out of solid wood.  I painted it blue and distressed it by sanding the edges.