Photo Wall Grouping

In April I started to collect black photo frames and photos for a grouping for my dining room wall. Yes, I do realize that was SIX whole months ago. Mostly what took so long was working up the nerve to start it. I knew that it would be quite a project and I was really concerned that it would come out terrible and all I would have to show for my efforts was a wall that looked like swiss cheese! Well, my fears were unfounded because I LOVE the way it turned out!

My first photos were these from Shaded Memories aren't they fabulous?





Then I found these beauties from Kimberly of Mimi Charmante She is so talented and has a great blog too!







Then I found these (among many others) from Layla of Lettered Cottage Art. I especially love the red door photo.









I took this photo, below, myself with a little help from my friend, Gerry. It was taken at Airlie Gardens. If you are ever in Wilmington, you should take a couple hours to tour their amazing gardens!






So yesterday I was feeling down because it was my girl's birthday and she is now living 800 miles away. I decided to tackle this project that has been waiting so patiently for me. This is an older picture. Since it was taken we have repainted, replaced the table and chairs with ones that actually match and replaced the light fixture with a new chandelier.






First I gathered the frames and the above photos along with some family favorites. I placed all the photos in frames and made white mats for some of them out of white card stock. Then I laid them out on the dining room table, then I rearranged them, then I rearranged them again, and again, you get the idea! This part took me literally HOURS! Because I have such a varied mix of photos I had to be careful that I didn't bunch the family photos together and that I evenly spread out the color photos among the black and white photos, etc. Finally I was ready.


I cut scrapbook paper to the size of every frame and place them on the wall in their correct place (another hour). I don't have pics of this part because Hubby had the camera at Cub Scout camp. Sorry!





Then we had dinner (I needed a break by this point). Then I re-spaced some of the papers and then started hanging the photos. This was the easiest part of the entire process.








See how I have four "layered" on top of the others? Well, just before I got to those last four I looked at the wall and almost cried! It looked like I just randomly hung them! It was a mess! I thought I was going to be up all night filling the nail holes and repainting the wall! Then I decided to finish with the layering and then decide if all my work for for naught. I am so glad that I didn't give up because those four really brought it all together.

I am so happy with it! And so happy that it is all finished!









Now what project can I fret over for the next six months?


I am participating in BNOTP's Metamorphasis Monday and ASPTL DIY Tuesday. Check out all the other cool projects!