When I say "Mama's gift", I mean my mama. Although, I will now be making some for me in the very, very near future.
You need:
-little cute canvases (4"x5") $3.99 at Michael's
-paint...and brush, of course
-scrapbook paper
(one dark color to be the silhouette color, the other non-distracting pattern to be the background)
-AND Mod-Podge
Paint edges of canvas making sure to go along top edges as well in case your cuts of paper don't hit the edges perfect. Also, I had brown paint originally, but found it didn't look good unless the paint matched the silhouette color...so I added some black to my brown to darken it. So much better.
See what I mean by going over the top edge. No need to do the middle, it'll be covered. I did 2-3 coats. If you actually wait a bit between coats it won't need as many. haha
Sorry.
Brush mod-podge on canvas, place background paper on canvas and coat again with mod-podge. Make sure to get side of painted canvas so the entire thing will have the same finish.
Now, print out some profile pics of the kids. I used Picasa to do this: I cropped with a 4x6 size getting the hair and nose very close to the left and right sides of the portrait crop. I then printed that crop in a 3.5x5 size. I know, doesn't make sense, but it worked perfectly to get the size just right. I also used fast normal printer setting to not use too much ink. The fast draft made it a little difficult to see the edges of lighter hair. Now, cut out your profile very slowly and carefully.
Get a white colored pencil, freshly sharpened ready. Turn silhouette paper over so front will be facing down. Depending upon what way you want the silhouette to face, place the cut profile down and carefully trace around the profile onto the backside of the silhouette scrapbook paper. Slowly and carefully cut out silhouette. Try to open your scissors fully prior to each cut for smoother cutting. Small snips leaves sharp edges.
Turn cut silhouette over and hold up to light. Check for any imperfections. I often had to snip a tiny tiny piece off the tip of the nose. Probably due to the sharp turn.
Now, mod-podge again on top of paper covered canvas. Place silhouette on top and mod-podge again. I then did two or three more layers, letting dry between coats.
Last thing!
Turn canvas over, measure 1/2" from sides and 1" from top and put a mark on each side at that position. Take a 24" piece of coordinating ribbon and knot the ends. Keeping in one piece, staple knots at your markings. Now, cut ribbon in half. I touched ends of ribbon to mod-podge to prevent fraying. Tie a bow that is centered well. That's it!
I'm doing more of these for a friend soon, so I'll try to post better step by step pics.
DON'T FORGET: for posterity, make sure to label the name and year on the back of the canvas. You want people to know who this is in the distant future.
Olivia was very excited to spot this Miley and Jake doll set on clearance at Target. Not sure if she got this for Lauren just because she wanted it, but Lauren was excited nonetheless.
And, since Lauren has been really into the American Girl adventure of Kit, who types up her own newspapers, I was able to find a great little typewriter from Freecycle for her (although it's cream, and not this adorable turquoise color):
