JessicaSprague.com

Have you ever decided to try a new recipe when you have company coming over for dinner and then, right before they come, you think, "What have I done? I'm not sure this is even going to taste good!" Well, that's what I was thinking before starting this project. I wanted to try out this "recipe" but should have made it before having all of you over for dinner! But here you are, and so we are going to try it together!

Of course I have to start with a cold drink! I've been taught well! ;)

After much searching on the internet, loooking for the perfect gift for my niece's 17th birthday, I finally found what I wanted to get for her. Then I looked at the price. And then I decided I was much better off making my gift instead of buying it (my groaning wallet agreed).

Go ahead...click on the button that says Read More.

I started out with Orchard & Broome's Photo Frames and Masks along with their Warm West 4th Collection of papers and labels and designed something similar to what I had seen on the internet (except this time, my wallet and husband were rejoicing too!).

I printed out the designs on Ink Jet T-shirt Transfer paper as mirror images...

tested them out on some muslin fabric...

trimmed the pieces...

and laid them out on the fabric while keeping an eye on my computer-generated design on the monitor.

Then I ironed the printed designs onto the fabric using Heat and Pressure, my two new best friends (that's what the instructions told me they were).

After allowing everything to cool and peeling the paper off, I stapled the fabric onto a 22" x 28" artist canvas that I purchased at a hobby store.

You ready for the main meal?  Hungry yet? Well hang on, because it's time to present the results of this "recipe"...

It's a personalized pinboard! YAY!

Armed with my gift and just a few push pins, my niece can now hang photos, tickets, notes from friends, and whatever else she can think of hanging and displaying in her little spot on the wall! It's customized with her name, basketball number, school colors, and the year she will graduate from high school.

And just to set her off on the journey, I've already push-pinned a few items, like this sweet picture of her with her parents...

and of course, some really relevant and factual notes, like this ;)

Isn't that awesome? (My wallet and husband... and Jessica Sprague... think so! heehee!)

So just for old time's sake, let's have a quick flashback. Here's what my Photoshop design looked like on my monitor:

And here's the Real Thang hanging on the wall!

(Uhm. I sure wish I could use the arrow keys to nudge a few things around. ;) )

Here is what I used to make this fabulous gift!

Photo Frames and Masks by Orchard & Broome

West 4th Collection - Warm Labels by Orchard & Broome

West 4th Collection - Warm Papers by Orchard & Broome

Credits:

Kariah's Pinboard by Tori Johnson

Photo Frames and Masks by Orchard & Broome. West 4th Collection, warm labels and warm papers by Orchard & Broome. Office Supplies Element Pack by Crystal Wilkerson. White muslin fabric, hobby store. Artist Canvas board, hobby store. Font: House of 3, Rules.