Family Silhouette

 I made this a few weeks ago but couldn't post it until I gave it to my mommy for her birthday.

It took me a couple of attempts to get it right so here is what I learned:

To make the stencil I used several pictures I already had and the pictures others had posted on their facebook so I did't have to spoil the surprise and tell them what I was doing, BUT it is defiantly easier to make if the picture is taken with the sun behind the subject. 

First I made the a stencil. There are two ways to do this:

OPTION ONE(print and cut)

Print the pictures out on freezer paper and use a exacto-knife to cut it out. I found this trick on It's a Daisy Day.

OPTION TWO (use Cricut, and Make the cut to cut he stencil out for you)

Open the photos in photoshop to make a silhouette from each image. Then make one image with all the silhouettes just as you want them to be cut.

Use Make the Cut software to trace the image and cut out the image out of freezer paper (wax side down).

Cut the fabric to the size of the frame by using the glass as a guide. (I used some extra burlap I had)

Lay the stencil on the fabric and iron it on.

It was easier to get the placement of the center pieces by ironing on the big piece around. After it was ironed on, pull off the large piece and leave the small pieces on the fabric.

Then paint all the exposed fabric.

 **the first time I painted I let it get too wet and the paint bled into the covered areas. If you use a spray paint, do several light even coats and let dry in-between.***

When it's dry, remove the paper and put it in the frame.

 I also think this would make an adorable little pillow!

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