Shanty Photo Art

So with 7 days to go I finished my LAST Christmas gift today... WOOHOO:)!  I am usually so last minute and find myself at Walgreen's on Christmas Eve picking up at least 2 that I forgot but this year I finally had my act together.  All of the siblings draw names for Christmas and I picked my youngest sister.  Her request this year was framed pics of my kids... easy enough.  But... I wanted to "shanty" it up a bit.  Here is what I did...

I started by getting my supplies.  I found some super shanty 4X6, 5X7, and 8X10 frames at the Dollar Tree.

I also used this great applique from Do It Yourself Chic!  I love it!!

And... a super cute but much in need of a makeover large frame.

I started by giving all of my pieces a few good coats of our favorite... Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch in Canyon Black.

While that was drying I started on the next step.  I originally planned on covering the cardboard with burlap but this frame had a plastic piece rather than glass so I just decided to cover it instead.  I sprayed the plastic with spray adhesive.

I then cut the extras off and left a couple inches to work with.

My hot glue gun came to town at this point.  I was done in almost no time!  I started by gluing my extras to the opposite side of the plastic.

When I was done it looked like this...

I then put the covered plastic back into the now black frame and it looked a bit like this...

Awww... Already soooo much better don't you think:)!

The next step was to arrange and glue all my frames and my applique.  I eyeballed them and placed them where I wanted them and then used the hot glue again to attach each frame to the burlap.

And when I was finished it looked like this...

Almost finished...  My final step was to add my little clippies.  I found these at Walmart at around $1 for 2... woohoo again:)

I used my hot glue again to attach a clip to the center of each frame.

Now for my favorite part... the adding of the kiddos!  I printed out some b&w's at Walmart and clipped them up.  I LOVE how it turned out! I wanted to give her something that she could easily change out and maybe someday put pics of her own kids... hint, hint Leash;)  I also love the mix of the burlap, metal and fancy black.  It just makes me smile.  Now... I must make myself give it up:)  That is the hardest part!  So guys... What do you think??

The applique made the piece in my opinion!  You have to go check them out.  They are cheap, easy to work with and she has LOTS to choose from! Just click the link below to check DIY Chic out!!

Also... Thank you guys so much for my birthday wishes!!!  Each one of them makes me smile and I love reading them.  We will announce a winner of the giveaway in the next couple days so you still have time to comment.

AND:)!

Don't forget about our shindig coming up on January 7th!  We want to see EVERYTHING you have done without your hubby's help!  Can't wait! It will be so fun!  You can grab our button on our sidebar to add it to your blog.  Thanks so much!!

~Whitney