Shanty Photo Art

So with 7 days to go I finished my LAST Christmas gift today… WOOHOO:)!  I am usually so last minute and find myself at Walgreen’s on Christmas Eve picking up at least 2 that I forgot but this year I finally had my act together.  All of the siblings draw names for Christmas and I picked my youngest sister.  Her request this year was framed pics of my kids… easy enough.  But… I wanted to “shanty” it up a bit.  Here is what I did…
I started by getting my supplies.  I found some super shanty 4X6, 5X7, and 8X10 frames at the Dollar Tree.
And… a super cute but much in need of a makeover large frame.
I started by giving all of my pieces a few good coats of our favorite… Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch in Canyon Black.
While that was drying I started on the next step.  I originally planned on covering the cardboard with burlap but this frame had a plastic piece rather than glass so I just decided to cover it instead.  I sprayed the plastic with spray adhesive.
I then cut the extras off and left a couple inches to work with.
My hot glue gun came to town at this point.  I was done in almost no time!  I started by gluing my extras to the opposite side of the plastic.
When I was done it looked like this…
I then put the covered plastic back into the now black frame and it looked a bit like this…
Awww… Already soooo much better don’t you think:)!
The next step was to arrange and glue all my frames and my applique.  I eyeballed them and placed them where I wanted them and then used the hot glue again to attach each frame to the burlap.
And when I was finished it looked like this…
Almost finished…  My final step was to add my little clippies.  I found these at Walmart at around $1 for 2… woohoo again:)
I used my hot glue again to attach a clip to the center of each frame.
Now for my favorite part… the adding of the kiddos!  I printed out some b&w’s at Walmart and clipped them up.  I LOVE how it turned out! I wanted to give her something that she could easily change out and maybe someday put pics of her own kids… hint, hint Leash;)  I also love the mix of the burlap, metal and fancy black.  It just makes me smile.  Now… I must make myself give it up:)  That is the hardest part!  So guys… What do you think??
~Whitney

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67 Comments

  1. Brilliant! I did this using a huge bulletin board that never really used as a bulletin board. I LOVE IT! Thanks for the wonderful idea!

  2. I am almost finished with mine! It looks wonderful! Thanks for the great idea! My huge frame is perfect a whopping 38″ by 26″. Found it at Goodwill with an awful print inside for $7.99. It is going to look amazing over our bed.

  3. An absolutely awesome project.
    Makes me want to run right out to the dollar store.
    I am so in love with your blogsite.
    Keep the projects coming!!
    Have a Blessed Day.

  4. Has to be the BEST creative Idea for photo display that I've come across this year!! Thanks for all the details, step-by-step tutorial! I'm marking you a new favorite blog!