3 Easy Steps to Create Your Own Photo Artwork

Hey all! So remember my New Year's Resolutions? While I have been completing at least one project per month, the struggle is to share it with you all. One day I'll find a way to prioritize my time appropriately. Until then, it's looking like 2016 will be the year of playing catch up {and probably every year after that until I am an empty nester}. 

One of the 12 projects I resolved to complete this year was adding artwork to our home, specifically our dining room. The dining room is one of my favorite rooms in our home. It was the first room we painted, and the dining table was one of the first pieces of furniture we purchased. I also just love what a dining room represents; family, togetherness, holidays, food, food, food.... 

After searching for the perfect piece, or pieces, to fill that back wall and coming up with nothing, I decided to create my own artwork. 

Step 1: Take Picture
I wanted to use Alphabet art to spell "EAT" and have simple images of food related items in between. I used our flatware to create the letters for the larger frames and arranged them on our dining table for a nice wood background. I took this picture around 5pm on a sunny day. Our table is right next to a large window so I was able to take advantage of the natural light coming in {if unable to use natural light, try to use white light, or plan to bring light to the photo through editing}. 

For the images between the letters, I simply took a picture of a stack of our plates and bowls. I took these pictures right after I finished the letters, however they appear darker because I'm standing in front of the window. For these images, I wanted the background to appear almost black, through editing I was able to get that look {see next step}. 

You all know I love to personalize my spaces and this project seriously delights me. Being able to use our items makes the photos even more meaningful to me. 

Step 2: Edit the Photo
As you can see in the "E" image above, the image doesn't really pop or appear too exciting. In order to give the photos the effect and tone I was looking for, I edited them using picmonkey.com.

PicMonkey is a great editing site that I use anytime I edit a photo. It's a free site with the ability to upgrade to use additional features. I used a mixture of free and paid effects for my photos.

After messing around with the photo a bit, I ended up using four features and adjusted the settings to create the image that I wanted. I used the same edits for each image. 

The final product was edited using Dusk 53%, Intrepid 30% {53% for 12x12 prints}, Urbane 30%, and Sepia 65% fade. I also edited the sharpness and clarity of the photo in the basic edits pane. 

Step 3: Print and Frame
I used Shutterfly to print the large images. Shutterfly has discounts and deals constantly so even though the prints are larger and typically more expensive, I was able to get all five prints for under $65 {a savings of over $30}.

The frames are all from Ikea and were relatively inexpensive. I just love how large they are and how they perfectly fill that empty wall space. Layering the frames also made it possible for me to have 5 pieces on the wall. I hung each frame using the wire hanging tools included with the frames. For the square images, I cut the wire slightly longer to account for the space of the frame behind it. 

Here was my design plan for the frames. 

Ikea RIBBA Frames Rectangle / Square

You guys, I'm a little obsessed. I love, love, love how this turned out! It just brings the whole space together. It's such a great talking point too, especially when people notice the flatware and dishes they're using match the artwork on the wall!

Have you considered making your own artwork? Don't have matching flatware? Great! How cute would this be with mismatched knives and forks! It would be so fun to spell a family name like this as well. Once I figure out how to create an "S" I just may try it. 

Thanks for visiting!