February 10, 2012

Subway Art Frame Tutorial


On Tuesday, I shared this project with Marilyn and her readers at The Artsy Girl Connection as part of a fun series she put together for Valentine's called Crafty Lil Hearts! Go check out Marilyn's super creative site and be inspired by the awesome Valentine projects and stories shown during her series. It'll continue on until Valentine's Day, so go join the fun!




To me, Valentine's Day is the perfect holiday for the handmade gift. Nothing says I love you like taking the time to create something sweet and sentimental for your nearest and dearest. My hubby and I don't buy each other Valentine gifts. Instead, we do sweet things, cook something special or give thoughtful, handmade cards and gifts.

This year, I decided to make my hubby a Subway Art style picture frame, listing every city the two of us have lived (both separate and together!). And, then I added a sentiment that could not be any truer: Home Is Wherever You Are. I finished the project with an old picture of us in the first city we lived together as marrieds. A sweet and sentimental gift for my hubby, don't you think?


I started this project with a discounted $0.99 frame, which I gave a quick coat of Pewter Ring paint from a Behr sample jar. Behr's Pewter Ring just so happens to be the color of our entry way, guest bathroom, dining room and living room. Yes, we like gray. After the frame was dry, I rough up the edges a bit with some sandpaper. Just enough to give it a slightly worn quality.


Using my silhouette,  I cut out the names of our cities from black vinyl, making sure to vary the fonts and sizes. I decided to leave two areas blank to handwrite our names and "home sweet home" in my own script. Just another personal touch! I kept the font and colors simple and without a lot of fluff. Since, you know, it is for my husband. 



Of course, he can decide where to put his new frame, but I think it looks pretty great as part of this gallery wall in our living room. It's extra at home among pictures from some of our favorite trips together.


I think my husband will like this sweet and sentimental Valentine gift, don't you?




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11 comments:

  1. This is beautiful! I love the black and white picture with the grey frame .... it's just so classy and sophisticated!

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  2. Thanks for linking up with us today! I would have never known you made this.. This is soo cool! Seems right up Lil' Sis' alley! Again, thanks for stopping by.

    -your Newest followers

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  3. Emily, how wonderful it looks and I know your husband will love it and feel so honored that you made this for him. Have I missed the post where you told how difficult your Silhouette is to use or how easy it is to use? I know you have created wonderful items by having it. Love all that I've seen! Happy Valentine's Day to you and Mr. 52! ;)

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  4. Super cute. Good job! I don't think I could make one that would look that good!

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  5. I think I need to get a silhouette.

    ~Bliss~

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  6. Awww.. this is so cute friend! I love it.. I bet your hubby will too! I need to use my Silhouette! Its sitting in a box next to me.. so sad.

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  7. Oh my goodness, I LOVE this. What a great way to upgrade a frame. And such a CUTE picture. So fun...and meaningful. :)
    Karah

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  8. Hi! I found this post from the Two Yellow Birds Decor Link Party. I LOVE this frame!! I have a Silhouette and I am so going to do this! Thank you for sharing!

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  9. This is so cute!!! I love it! Thanks for the great idea! Thanks for sharing this as well at Thursday's Temptation.
    Jill

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  10. I love the idea <3 Thank you for sharing! I also love to give handmade gifts in the special day like Valentine's Day.
    instagram online

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