Striped Gallery Style Photo Board

 Hey Friends!  I’m really excited to share a Fun New Monthly Challenge I’m lucky enough to be participating in…Here’s our First Challenge…Stripes…

1. Granny Stripe Crocheted Blanket from Sugar Bee Crafts

2. Free Printable “Made with Love” Labels from Do Small Things with Love

3. Striped Gallery Style Photo Board from One Krieger Chick

4. Zebra Cake with Cookies & Cream Frosting from This Silly Girl’s Life

5. Striped Clover Mini Plate from Just Us Four

6. Neon Stripe Microsuede Clutch from 733 Blog

7. Striped Cake Stand from Tied Ribbon 

8. Stripe Fabric Bracelet from Made to Be a Momma

9. DIY Striped Slipcover for Kids Flip Sofa from Carissa Miss

Each month, the Contributors to Sugar Bee Crafts will be sharing a themed project…All projects will be different, but all will be Awesome!  Brought together by Mandy at Sugar Bee Crafts, we’ll be calling ourselves the Creative Buzz.  Want to see what all the Buzz is about?  Search #creativebuzz…We’re buzzing with fresh ideas!  Head on over to all the other blogs and check them out!

 

Want to see what I was inspired to create with Stripes?  

 

We have this awesome antique bench in our entryway, but it has been the biggest challenge to decorate.  So I set out to create a giant quote…My husband vetoed that idea and said I should use family photos…Then my creative wheels started turning…

 

Why not create an oversized Gallery Style Photo Board with interchangeable photos?!

 

Here’s how it came together…

 

What you’ll need:

• large board.  Mine was 30×40
• paint and brush
• painters tape
• pencil, measuring tape
• heavyweight chipboard
• bulldog clips
• small cup hooks
• Mod podge or spray adhesive
• Optional: brayer

Let’s get started…I purchased this board at Home Depot already cut to 30 x 40…Use a size that works for your space.  I knew I wanted to use navy, so I snagged a couple navy paints from my Mother-In-Law who loves navy…Lucky me! 

I painted the lighter color as the base coat.

Then measured my stripes, taped them off and painted a darker navy (almost a slate chalkboard color) on alternating stripes.

 Voila!

 Lay out photos to see if you like the combination…This can always be changed later!

Now on to the photos…

I wanted the photos to be a heavier weight so I could clip them up for display.  I picked up some heavyweight gray chipboard at Hobby Lobby (and used my coupon)…

I printed the 8 x 10 in. photos in black and white onto a thicker cardstock using my home printer.  Then, I trimmed all the photos to get rid of the extra white edges.

For the photo backing, I cut a piece of cardstock to 8 x 10 and used it to trace onto the chipboard, tracing one per photo.

To adhere the photos, I tried two methods:

One: I applied a thin even layer of matte mod podge to the chipboard, carefully pressed the photo into place and rolled over it with my brayer.  (Use a rolling pin if you don’t have one of these.)  This ensures there won’t be any air bubbles leading to bumpy photos.

Two: I sprayed the chipboard with spray adhesive and followed with the same steps as above.

Both methods worked great, but the boards with mod podge curved.  I had to set heavy books on them to flatten them out.  Now they’re perfect!  So, totally up to you on what method you use!

 

How did I clip the photos on the board?

Measure, Measure, Measure…I laid all my photos on the board and decided how far I wanted them spaced, etc.  Then I penciled in where I wanted the hooks and attached them like I did my jewelry display. 

The bulldog hooks hang perfectly on the little hooks…And the photos look Amazing!  You know the best part…I can switch them up whenever I want a change.  I can easily flip over the chipboard and adhere a different photo…Love this!

I absolutely ADORE how it turned out and am SO excited to have conquered my bench artwork challenge…Now to move on to some other artwork in that area of the house…

 

What spaces in your home are challenging you lately?

 

 

Sharing with…Link Party Palooza, Do Tell Tuesday, Link it or Lump it, Carrie this Home, The Makers, Whimsy Wednesday, Domestically Speaking, Artsy Fartsy Mama