My Gallery Wall

I mentioned this project many months ago, and though it was completed in October, I am just now getting around to sharing it on my humble blog.  How's that for procrastination?!? 

This project is special to me because now I get to proudly display pictures of our entire (large) family in our living room for every visitor to see, and for us to enjoy daily.  My main goal was to have a picture to represent every family unit including our parents and siblings on both sides, so this means we have 10 pictures of family- not even including Trace and me!  I did make a special "feature" for the middle of the wall, and that was a little project in itself.  The result...LOVE!

Without further nonsense- here it is!

I could not get a very good close up of the "J" picture I made (out of an old red frame, fabric, and buttons) due to my sub par camera and the glass that insisted on reflecting light in odd ways. 

My steps to this seemingly simple (but SO NOT) project included:

1. Getting pictures from the family.
2. Collecting enough frames.
3. Painting non-black frames so they would all match.
4. Making 2 frames out of former mirrors.
5. Deciding which pics to use considering portrait and landscape options, and color vs. black and white.
6. Printing pictures.
7. Making the "J" picture which was at least a 4 step process (sanding, painting, make "J" out of card stock and buttons, glue to fabric background.)
8. Making a paper template of each picture to put on the wall in order to decide on placement (this is where the measuring came in.)

         

    9.  Hammering nails and screws into wall and FINALLY hanging pictures.

   10. Rearranging a couple of pictures due to frame width and "flow".

Yup- it was a 10 step process (at least) but also so WORTH IT!!!  Although it may not look super symmetrical in the photos, it does look pretty good in person.  It's not perfect, but I simply adore it and am thrilled that I can see our family all in one place!