Today's guest post comes from another Mama and blogger, Andrea Genevieve Michnik. Today, Andrea will be sharing how to make your own props for those fun holiday photo shoots that many of us are all scurrying to get done this time of year. Take it away Andrea!
Family holiday photo shoots can be challenging, especially with a toddler in tow. Last year for my own family’s holiday photo, we only had two different props, and my 1-year-old son lost interest in about 10 minutes. I learned my lesson. This year I’m pulling together a basket with plenty of handmade options for us to pose with, depending on how we feel during the moment. The end result may be silly, romantic, cozy, or cute. No matter how it turns out, I’m certain it will be an honest and heartfelt depiction of my family at this point in our lives, and I can’t wait to share it with our loved ones through our holiday cards.
First, I’d like to offer step-by-step instructions for creating a craft I’m extra excited about: DIY glitter letters. After that, I’ll share a few of my other favorite DIY prop ideas, from oversized ornaments to a modern Christmas tree made from cardboard.
DIY Glitter Letter Prop
This project is a fun way to create a card that really says something — literally! You can spell out festive words like “Joy,” “Peace,” or “Merry,” or choose to go for a custom twist and create your family’s last name. Best of all, the letters can work as holiday décor in your home for years to come.
What you’ll need:
Cardboard letters from your local craft supply store (If you can’t find any, cut them out of old cereal boxes)
Modge Podge or glue
A paintbrush
Colored glitter (red, green, gold, and silver work well)
Clear finishing spray (I used Krylon Glitter Blast Glitter Seale)
Newspapers or scrap paper to work on
Instructions:
1. First, pick out what you want your letters to spell. For this tutorial I went with “Joy” because I’m going to use them through the winter as a table centerpiece.
2. Lay the letters down on your newspaper or scrap paper. Using the paintbrush, apply glue to one side of one letter. Make sure that every inch is covered. A thick layer of glue works best, but watch out for drips.
3. Apply the glitter generously. You shouldn’t see any of the letter or glue peeking through. If using Modge Podge, stick to one letter at a time, since it dries pretty quickly.
4. Once you've glittered one side, let the letter dry for about an hour and then flip it over to do the same to the backside.
5. When both sides dry, finish with glue and glitter on the edges of all letters. You could always do the edges in a different colored glitter.
6. The final step is crucial and this is to seal the glitter with a clear finishing spray. Glitter is fabulous — don’t get me wrong — but no mom wants to spend their holidays cleaning up glitter trails around the house!
For a totally different look, try covering the letters in holiday wrapping paper, metallic spray paint, or use rustic jute twine wrapped around each letter.
Looking for more holiday photo prop ideas? Here are four of my favorites:
1. Painted Mini Chalkboards
Take a plain wooden trimmed chalkboard and paint the edges red, green, silver, white, or gold to match your setting. Scribble out a cute phrase or the year.
2. 6 Point Paper Stars
Use a variety of seasonal 12” X12” scrapbook paper and fold into stars using this guide. Make a huge pile for you and your family to hold or toss in the air.
3. Oversized Ornaments
These huge ornaments made from gigantic colored balloons look so awesome! Any prop that is larger than life will be tons of fun for both kids and adults. Attach a string to each balloon and use cardboard with wire to recreate the ornaments’ cuffed top.
4. Modern Cardboard Christmas Tree
If you’re going for a more modern look or don’t want to have a living tree in your home, this cardboard version can be assembled to any size and painted to accentuate your home design.
Thank you Andrea for sharing! Do you use props in your family’s holiday photos? Please share your favorites in the comments. xx
About the author:
Andrea Genevieve Michnik is a mompreneur, serial crafter and blogger living in Austin, Texas. When Andrea isn’t knitting for her shop or exploring the outdoors with her adorable toddler, she is helping other local female entrepreneurs to empower themselves professionally. Andrea shares her maker insights and other Christmas card crafts on the TinyPrints blog , and you can find out what she’s up to on her Twitter and personal blog.
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