Wednesday, December 5, 2012

My New Engineer Print!

 
So we built our home two and a half years ago and there are still blank walls in our humble abode. I'm just indecisive... and cheap! 

Well we recently had a family photo session by the lovely Amanda Lassiter, and I was dying to get my sweet little man's face up on the walls. Then I remembered pinning this, and decided why not!?
A huge print of my sweet family for super cheap??? Heck yes!

So while the sweet Hubs stayed with a napping Henry, I headed to staples. A nice older gentleman greeted me and I asked if they did Engineer Prints. His reply: "Let me guess, Pinterest?" I was cracking up:)
I asked for the biggest size, which was 3' x 4'. He said it would just take a sec, but I insisted he take his time so I could run next door to Starbucks:) My print was ready and waiting when I got back,
and less than $8!!!
Next I needed something to mount that sucker to. I love this idea, but I don't own a jigsaw (Santa??). I decided to go the foam board route and headed to Lowes.
I easily found it near the insulation supplies. Be prepared, people. That thing is huge, ten feet maybe? And less than ten dollars, BTW!
You should have seen me trying to get it in the back of my car. Some couple was watching me try to shove the board in my car for several minutes and offered to help. I must have looked like an idiot. Finally, I decided to bend it in half- yes, I'm clearly a genius.  Just bend it gently and it turns out totally fine.
So I got the board home and carefully laid out the print- it's basically a piece of paper so be gentle! Using random books that were within reach, I lined the print up on the board and marked it so I could cut off the excess board. 
bad pic, but this shows how big the board it! the print is 3x4 feet and over half of the board is left!
Then I used a fine grit sandpaper to smooth out the rough edges. 
Do this outside, not in your living room like I did- It's a mess.
I knew I wanted the edges painted because they'll be easily seen where I planned on hanging, so I grabbed some pretty gold paint. No specific reason, I just like gold:)




 

After a few coast and when the edges were dry, Shawn and I positioned the print where we wanted it on the board. We held it in place in the middle and flipped over a half at a time. Just spray some adhesive all over the board and smooth down the print. Flip over the other side and repeat. Easy peasy!

We used command strips to hang it and they worked out great! The print looks so so good. It's HUGE and I love it:)  


I'm also totally impressed with the quality. There are some random faint lines and some extra shadows but I think it looks awesome.
Here's a closeup of the quality. Not bad, right?
And if I find a new picture I like in six months, I won't feel bad about switching things up because it's so inexpensive.
Pinterest win!

*Linking up with Sarah!

9 comments:

  1. i love it! and i know what you mean about the indecisiveness-same here.

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  2. Thank you!
    And I don't know what it is?! I'm a rather confidant person, but when it comes to nails in my walls I'm a mess:)

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  3. What an adorable picture! That turned out SO great! I love that you finished it off with gold. Nice touch! This post just made me laugh...I can so relate to it (trying to squeeze the board in your car, making a mess in your living room, etc.) Thanks so much for linking up! :)

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    1. Thanks!!
      Yes, lots of blonde moments during the process! I'm the kind of person that thinks I can do everything by myself when I should totally be asking for help:)

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  4. I stumbled on your blog & the first line of this post describes me to a tee! Years later & still have empty walls, ahhhh!
    This turned out awesome! & you make it look so easy to do, def next on my list! Love the impact it has for little monies! & your little man is adorable!

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    1. Thanks so much, Charisse!
      So so easy, definitely try it! Let me know how it works out for you!!

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