Eightymillion

A DIY craft and photography blog. Dogs included.

DIY Monogram Photo Collage

Here’s a fun, easy, and inexpensive DIY project that you can make for anyone.  I mailed my last Christmas package mid January (don’t judge), so that means I can share the “how-to” with you here on the blog.
Hobby Lobby has all of my favorite papers, embellishments, and tools on sale all the time.  And that’s good when your crafting on a budget.  This project only cost me $1. to make.  That’s not a typo.  Keep reading and I’ll tell you how to make your own monogram photo collage. 
Supplies Needed:

*Chipboard Letter (This one measures 7 3/4″)
*Various sizes of photographs
*Mod Podge
*Spray paint
*Foam brush
*Scissors
*X-acto knife
*Fingernail filer (metal ones work best)
Hobby Lobby always has these chipboard letters on sale for 50%.  With the discount you only pay $1.  The spray paint I had on hand, but this particular brand was from Walmart and I believe it costs a little over a $1. You don’t have to use a name brand for this project.

When I first made these monogram collages I attached black cardstock paper to the backs.  Spray painting them is so much easier! Remove the price tag from the back, place down a barrier in between your work table and the letter, and then apply one layer of spray paint.  Make sure that you hold the can about 6 to 7 inches away from the letter.  That’ll prevent the paint from creating puddles on the chipboard.  Use any color you like.  I choose black because the photos are in black and white.  Let it dry for about 30 minutes.
Do you have an account with Walgreens online photo lab?  I use them all the time.  If you signed up for the promotional emails they send out frequently then pay attention to them.  Every now and then you’ll get one for a free collage.  Watch the dates that they are valid.  Their offers are usually only good for three days or one day only.  The black and white collage above was obtained through one of their free offers.  You can upload 20 photos.  The range of sizes are perfect for this project.
While your waiting for the spray paint to dry, cut out all of the photos and lay them on your crafting table.
Arrange them in the order you want them to be attached to the letter.  I alternated depending on the age in each.
I always use double faced tape for my adhesive.  You can also use Mod Podge for this part.  Attach the photos to your letter so that all of the chipboard is covered.  You will find that overlapping them is helpful. I attached the larger images first and then utilized the smaller ones to fill in the spaces.  When the whole letter is covered I take an x-acto knife to trim off the excess and then use a fingernail file to smooth the edges.
If you used Mod Podge as your adhesive, let it dry for about 30 minutes to an hour before doing this next step.  I used the double faced tape so I’m ready to move on.
Using a foam brush apply a layer of Mod Podge to the entire letter.  Gloss or matte, whichever you prefer. After the first coat is dry I added one more layer.
When it’s completely dry I flipped it over to sign and date it.  
All done!  I’ve made six of these so far for gifts to my nieces and nephews.  A nice keepsake for the parents as well.  Get creative with this idea.  You could also use the last initial for your family and incorporate family photos.
Until the next project…

DIY Inspiration: Outdoor Patio Idea

I look at my yard as an extension of my house.  Complete with all the comforts on what’s inside. Here’s a simple DIY project I put together in less than 10 minutes. 
Along with the comfort comes the maintenance.  Adam purchased a brand new grill last week.  I wanted to come up with an idea to not have to move it off the lawn every time the grass was cut.  It was such a hassle to do last year.
I love patio bricks.  All the creative shapes and colors.  I went for the simple look here.  Picked out twelve of them and placed them in a square. 
They were laid in the grass right after I mowed it.  If you want you could remove some of it to help them settle into the ground a little more.  I figure over the years they’ll do just that along with help from the weight of the grill.
I left enough space that the lawn mower can move comfortably around each side.  And it works like a charm.
Pretty easy!  And it costs less than $25.

A Simple (DIY) Gardening Tip

I found another great use for an IKEA shopping bag.  It’s works great when your collecting rubbish around the yard.
I’ve been busy cleaning out the flower beds and random leaves that were left over from last Fall.  The handles make it easy to carry around the yard and then to the burn pile.
I will definitely be getting another bag on my next visit.

DIY Inspiration: Make Your Own Band T-Shirt (For Concerts)

I’ve taken my creative ideas to a whole new level.  A handmade t-shirt designed by me!  And yes, I did wear this to the show last September.  Which reminds me, I never shared my pics, did I?  I promise a post this week.
Back to the shirt!  I went to see Motley Crue and KISS at Alpine Valley with a group of friends.  Knowing I was going to purchase a band shirt from the merchandise booth didn’t help me decide on what to wear to the show.  I really wished I had all of those in which I purchased from previous shows that I attended back in the 90’s.  I had looked around locally for one with no luck.  Online venue were selling out.  What’s a girl to do?
Make my own t-shirt!

Here’s what you need:
*Black t-shirt (I got mine at Michaels craft store for $2.00-it was on sale)
*White fabric spray paint (Michaels again.  Used a coupon so it cost me $6.)
*Stencils (I already had these on hand, but check your local Dollar Stores)
*Masking tape
**You may use any color you wish.  I’m just sharing what I used for this project.
The How To:
First wash the t-shirt.  This was my first time using fabric spray paint, so I followed the directions as stated. 
Using the ironing board I spread the t-shirt out flat.  Any flat surface will work.  I have a couple of t-shirts that have the stripes on the sleeves, so I thought I would create my own with this one.  I used six pieces of masking tape on each sleeve.  Three on the front and three on the back.  I simply eyeballed it when it comes to lining the tape up.  I don’t worry about perfection with stuff like this.  So, you may use a ruler if you want to make sure the stripes are evenly spaced.
I picked out the stencils that I needed to spell out the band name.  Using the masking tape I placed them on the front of the shirt where I thought they looked okay.  Repeat, I’m not picky with accurate placing.    

I applied the fabric paint to give it a blotchy look.  Make sure to shake the bottle well before using.  I let it dry overnight and then removed the masking tape. 
Both Motley Crue and KISS were using the hashtag #TheTour on Twitter, so I thought it was only proper to promote that on the back of the shirt.  I used a fabric pen for the wording. 
That’s it!  A simple project that cost me $6.  I was surprised at the quality of the t-shirt given the fact that I only paid $2. for it.  It’s still in great condition and I wear it a lot.
When you wash the t-shirt I recommend that you turn it inside out first.  And I only dry it for a couple of minutes in the dryer.  Enough to pull the wrinkles out.  
I have more shows planned this year.  Might just have to make another one.
Until the next word…
~Jennifer  

DIY: Smash Book Covers (Update-Completion)

This post is so overdue that I almost didn’t want to share it now.  Why?  Because I was up until 3AM on Christmas Eve finishing these three books.  And I’m still working on three more for my other niece and nephews who live out of town. {bad girl}  I told myself that it was too late to share because the holiday is over.
But, what made me decide to go ahead and share is that this is the type of project that you can make anytime of the year, not just Christmas.  Birthdays, Easter, Just Because, etc.  
They turned out awesome.  Exactly like I visioned them.
Book lovers please close your eyes for this part.  I found six old books at an antique store all the same size (somewhere close to 5 x 7).  I cut the front and back covers off leaving the pages attached to the spine.  They’ll get used later for some handmade cards.  The ring binder clips were purchased from Hobby Lobby.  Much cheaper than what the local office supply store was selling them for.  It pays to price check before buying. 
I love working with chipboard.  Any shape or color, I love it all.  It’s the first thing I look for when entering the craft store.  Even if I don’t need any.  
Spelling out my niece and nephews names I positioned the letters on the front covers.  Aubrie’s already had a design so no color was needed for hers.  For the boys I used spray inks.  Use an empty shoe box, it helps control the mess of ink from spreading on the counter.
Using hot glue and a few other coordinating chipboard shapes I put together the covers. Rubberstamps filled in the empty spaces (refer to the opening image).
Sorry, I forgot to take an image of the inside of the book covers.  You can see them in the photos below.  It’s real simple.  I covered the inside with a piece of patterned paper.  They were signed and dated on this portion.
Remember my earlier posts when I was doing the prep work for the pages?  Click here and here if you missed those.  Eight pages (of recycled boxes) is what I decided on for each book.  Front and back that makes 16.  Doesn’t seem like a lot at first, but trust me it’s enough for one book.  Truthfully, these books take time.  But in the end they are SO worth it.  An adorable keepsake they’ll have documenting a part of their life.
The rest of the book is up to you.  Be creative.  I was fortunate enough that my sister visited over the summer {sigh} so I was able to accumulate a lot of photographs of the kids.  Not sure what to use when putting the books together.  Some ideas are right here.  The possibilities are endless.  I’m simply sharing a sample of what I used.
My Dad used his drill to create the three holes that bind the pages together with the covers.  It worked awesome.  I held the book together tight and he lowered the drill press to put the holes in. Recommendation:  These books have three ring clips in each.  And that works great, but for the other three that I’m making four ring binder clips will be used.  It’ll give the book just a little bit more stability.  Again, three work, but I’m going to try four.  Ribbon is another option in place of the clips.
Along the edge of each sheet a strip of sticker paper about an inch wide was attached for extra reinforcement.  I’m speaking of the side that you will be drilling the holes into.  For Cooper’s book (above) The letter C (rubberstamp) was used for his name.  I alternated the C with other stamps.  You could also use patterned paper cut into one inch strips.  Again, be creative.
This was a good project for me because I was able to use all the scrapbook paper that I’ve been collecting over the years.  I say collecting because when a buy all the pretty paper I store it in a nice container for safe keeping.  Fellow craft geeks can relate with this statement.
Stickers?  I like to collect them as well.  Dig your stash out and use them throughout the pages.
I waited until the last minute to put them together.  Why?  Because I work better under pressure. Seriously, why do we wait until the last minute?  I have no answer. The photos were sitting on my table for months and all of the prep work was done as I posted each update. 
I’ll be working on the other three this weekend.  It’s fun making six of them because it allows me to try different techniques with each one.
Now that most of my nieces and nephews are using pencils and crayons perhaps I’ll make them journals using this same concept.  We’ll see what I come up with.  I’m still saving all of my boxes and my stash is quite large.  From time to time my sister sends me a box of her recycled boxes to add to the pile.  Most grateful for those as well.  Along with the boxes of Trader Joes cookies she includes in the package.
Leave me a comment below if you ever made a smash book.  Would love to hear what tools and supplies you used.

DIY Inspiration-The Polaroid Project: Part Two

Alright DIY Craft Geeks! This handmade project was FUN! I made them for four of my nieces and nephews. The older two already know their ABCs. If you missed part one click here.
When I was in the planning stage of this project I was going to out source the printing to a local store in town. The further along that I got I decided to put a little more work into it. It’s handmade so why not have it 100% “hand-made”~

I LOVE THESE PHOTO BOOKS! They are the same ones that I used in the recipe book tutorial I post earlier this week. Another added bonus of using them is that the photos will stay clean and protected. The photo albums can be purchased at Michaels and if you catch them on sale you’ll pay $1. per book.
I always make templates for every project. Makes it easier if I go back and make more later. In this case I’m creating four Polaroid ABC books so the templates are a great time saver.
I first measured a 4×6 piece of black cardstock. This is the base of each photo that will slide into the sleeves of the album. Next, I measured a white piece of glossy photo paper (to give it the shiny effect).
One additional piece of black cardstock was cut to give the Polaroid effect. I used double faced tape to attach everything. Didn’t want to use anything shiny like staples or brads that the kids could potentially pull off and put in their mouth.
Okay, that’s the time consuming part. Twenty six pieces of three different sizes of paper.
I used all of my photography to match each corresponding letter of the alphabet. After sizing each photo to fit into the space a sticker was added. Some photos were printed to big so I utilized Walgreens online print services and ordered wallet sizes for a few. For example you can see the photo of our family below. I couldn’t fit it in the space so I ordered wallet size version. Worked just fine. If you’re into graphics you can easily adjust each photo to be the same size. 
I used the same image that I shared with you in part one of this project for the book cover.  You can see the cover in the image above.  Adding some color cardstock and scalloped edges with the scissors.
I added the “is for…” myself.  
The album holds 36 photos so obviously I had extra openings.  After searching through my incredibly large supply of scrapbook paper I found one that went with the theme of the book.  I scanned the whole sheet and then cropped a 4×6 section to create the print.  I liked the shine of the gloss paper to accent well with the others.  Again, you can do whatever you want here.  
On the back cover I add my own little message for the recipients.
Hardy decided to hang out with me throughout the entire process of assembling the books.
It was a late night and included a lot of paper cutting.
But so worth the final product!

Make your own using photos that the child will recognize. Learning their ABCs will be so much fun.
Did you enjoy this project? Feel free to “pin” it and share the love.

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