If you need to brighten up your walls, this may be the perfect answer. These are basically not very expensive to construct, as you do not require much to make them. However, you will find, that the finished effect will create interest and is pretty attractive. You can also make them as gifts.
Of course, first you have to make the decision on the size of frame you require, as to where you want to hang it, and the area of the space. At the present time you can buy frames that will hold up to five pictures, but you may only want a double or a single frame for your first attempt.
You will require a very clear base to work from, this being a really clear outline from a photograph. So you will need your subject person or animal to face sideways for this to get a good shot. This sounds pretty good so far, so what tools will I need? Some white paper with a texture to it and some soft coloured paper, say burgundy, for instance. Also, a fine crayon, the same shade as your coloured paper, masking tape, pencil, spray glue, tracing paper, frame, photos and a craft knife.
Where do I begin? Establish which photo, or photos, you are going to use, then place the chosen one on something flat. Now cover this with the tracing paper and use the masking tape to tape it down. Sharpen your pencil and carefully trace round your silhouette on the photo.
If, for example, you are doing the silhouette of a person, you need to put a curve at the neck where it finishes, so it will appear to liken cameos that you see on brooches. Once you have done this, take off the tape and remove your tracing paper. Then make sure that it is a suitable size for your frame. A trip to a copy shop will put this right!
I have suggested burgundy paper, but you can choose any colour. Well, you need this paper now to put your freshly traced paper on, with the penciled side facing the paper. Then, masking tape it down. Now press really hard and go round your image with a pencil to transfer the shape to your paper. Now we have reached a delicate operation which needs some patience! Take your craft knife and you now need to cut your shape, keeping to your outline. Not easy, I might add!
Take out your textured paper next. You will need enough to cover the frame, with 1cm spare on all sides of it. Your silhouette then will need to be sprayed with glue and put firmly in place in the centre of your paper. At this point you can add an outside border with a coloured pen or pencil, but this is optional. If you cut some very fine pieces of the coloured paper, you could add some extra details like eyelashes or eyebrows for example.
This is now ready to be framed and admired. Friends and family will love it!
