Do it Yourself Silhouette

By Dedra Duvall:

Let’s face it, we all love pictures and keepsakes from our children’s life.  I’m sure you, much like myself, have your home adorned with photographs on the wall, on the end tables, the coffee table, your desk and of course the fridge (and maybe a few scrapbooks, right).  While flipping through a magazine one afternoon I was reminded of yet another way to celebrate those precious features of my dear children.  I came across the most adorable silhouette pictures and I made a mental note to have some professionally made.

While walking at the gym one day with my friend, Patricia, I mentioned checking into silhouettes for my girls.  She politely told me not to waste my money on the professionals, and that I could make them myself.  Now, I wouldn’t consider myself a crafty person, but when it comes to art, I can usually hold my own.  However, I never have confidence in the projects I complete and always feel that someone else could do it better.  After a little more convincing, I decided to take her advice and instruction and try it myself.

Being a traditionalist at heart, I knew that I wanted the black on white cameo that I have always admired.  So, step one was to purchase some contrasting black and white cardstock paper.  Next, I took some profile photos of the girls.  I was careful to make sure I used the same distance in photographing them so the silhouettes would be approximately the same size.  Next, I printed the pictures off on the computer.  It doesn’t really matter if you print them in color or black and white.  You don’t need a high quality printed photo here because you are going to use it as a template.  After printing out the photos, I decided on which one to use.  I had my girls stand both to the left and right in case I wanted one facing one way and one the other way, but either way, you can flip the cutout to fit your needs.

Next, I simply cut out the picture, carefully getting each feature.  You could use an exacto knife, but I just used some really sharp scissors.  Then, I placed the cut out picture on the black cardstock and cut around it.  After I finished cutting out the profile, I used some scrapbook tape and taped the silhouette to the white cardstock and framed it.  An oval frame would be super traditional, but I already had some silver 8X10 frames on hand.  Depending on the size of your silhouette, you could go larger or smaller, square, rectangle or round.

My friend Patricia reversed the silhouette and used a canvas.  She adhered the cutout silhouette to a canvas, painted the canvas then lifted the cutout to reveal a white silhouette.  Whatever you decide, there’s no right or wrong way, just your way.  Have fun with it.