Silhouette Wall Collage

I have these large walls in my basement that were in need of some love.

I love collages, but every time I try it is an utter failure. I would stare at other's collages and wonder why do their's look good?! 

Here is what I figured out:

1. Balance. Get a few matching shape frames to weight the collage.

2. Create a center line. While some of the frames are ON the line there is still a symmetrical line.

3. Colors. Make a scheme.

4. Lay out your collage, then take pictures so you can see it in a new way. 

5.  Cut out paper to match your frames exactly so you can tape them on the wall and tweak as needed. This is the most important step. Less nail holes in the end. 

{too high, BUT the center lines are marked so tweaking was a breeze-ish}

     Ex. I measured, did math, and hung up all the little papers and when I took 4 steps back realized the WHOLE collage was way too high. While annoyed, at least there were no nail holes and 3 tweaks later it was at the perfect height.

6. Shop goodwill for frames. All of these frames were goodwill or garage sale. Who cares what the ugly picture inside is, look for shape and lines. Pictures can be ripped out and replaced. Cheap!

And while those aren't riveting ancedotes, maybe other people who are scared of collages or OCD may find this helpful.

This whole thing came about because I am in love with silhouettes. It borders on obsession. However, I don't want just any silhouette I want my family. So we took photos and I lovingly turned them into my favorite silhouettes.  

 

I really love how it all turned out and it is the first collage I haven't torn down 3 days after putting it up.

Up close look at their silhouettes.

Trick or Treat Smell My Feet {2014}

Pace yourself Michele. Two blog posts in 1 week. Slow down, don't want to pull something.

So I am a room mom. A room mom. That means I have a kid, in school. Wow. Still weird to me some days that she isn't around all the time. Some mornings it can be a long 3 hours without her.
On Halloween they had their class party. I was in charge of cookie decorating station. Of course sugar is always a big hit.

Snack break. Because eating sugar wasn't enough.

Games for more candy.

Isn't she cute?!

Daddy dropped by...he was a fork in the road. They all dressed as idioms.

Her buddy during the Mummy wrap.

Class Pic. Isn't her teacher the cutest?! She is due anytime...

For Halloween instead of trick or treating the 'hood we go to a local church and play games and jump on bounce houses. I guess I don't really get Halloween. What's the point? To dress up and beg for candy?! What are we celebrating or doing here?! Please, don't mis-understand I know some are against it b/c of the "dark side" of it's roots, I am against walking around in the cold...HA! But that aside I just don't get the holiday...I know I could do with a few less snicker bars around here.

However, before we went out we had to go get our annual Papa Murphy's Pumpkin Pizza. During which time our city biz district hosted early trick or treaters. ALL my kids wanted, and I do mean ALL they wanted was to trick or treat the fire dept. They were so thrilled they were out and got to meet them. My kids are OBSESSED with the fire dept. We can't drive by there without a full 15 minute commentary on what they may or may not be up to.

 

Then off to the church for fun and games.

They both were firefighters. Grandma Rachel got them these cute Melissa and Doug costumes.

And that folks is our Halloween!