Wall of Frames

When we were building our house I spent lots of time gathering ideas for decorating and planning rooms. Over the years some of those plans have come to fruition, some plans have been forged, and yet others still remain filed away in hopes of being put to use one day. During this time of planning, Kris and I visited his aunt and uncle's new home. While touring their home, I found that she had decorated the focal wall of their upstairs landing in pictures. Big pictures, small pictures, old pictures, and new pictures adorned the big space. They were black and white photos of good times. I loved it! I made a mental note that I wanted a wall like that some day.

In recent years I have continued to see this "wall of frames" concept in magazines and blog land. Some fill their space with an array of random objects, others with photos, and others with categorical items. I really like them all. I can see tying in a big initial letter with a mirror and some photos. I can see a collection of just photographs. I can see a wall of all different size mirrors. But my dilemma comes with doing just one. Every wall in our house cannot be a "wall of frames"!

I came across a blog post a few months back that gave the best directions on hanging a "wall of frames". It got me to thinking back about the wall that drew me in. What was it about that wall? It was the pictures. From what I recall, it was filled with pictures of their family. Pictures like their toddler daughter wearing her mom's too-big sunglasses and high heels...their son playing his drum set...their middle school daughter and her friends hanging out...their teenager eagerly washing her first car. It was life. It simply told the story of their life.

I realize we are still in the process of building our photo library...soon the day will come that we will have a wide array of pictures of our family during many stages of life :( But I don't feel like we are there, yet.

I started thinking about what other collections I have that I might could make work-until that day comes. Then I realized what I would love best. The kids' art work! I went through their stuff and pulled out anything I thought was frame worthy - trying to keep the same count for each child. I looked for different textures, different sizes, different colors. And, before long I had a good selection.

The next step was getting them framed. Fortunately, I was able to find all the sizes I needed at good prices. I wanted all black frames, but in varying design and width to break it up a little.

After framing, I played around with the arrangement until it fit just right.


Following the awesome tutorial I mentioned above, I turned the frames over and used tissue paper to create a pattern. I made sure to put a dot where the nail should go and label each piece of tissue with where it was to hang.

Then I hung the tissue paper patterns (with painter's tape) where I wanted my "wall of frames". I hung the nails straight through the dots on the tissue paper. As I hung each frame, I tore away the tissue paper pattern.


Can I tell you how pleased I am at this project? Pretty easy for something that fulfills a dream and brings me joy!


It gets me excited thinking about adding it to it as Bankston Hays begins bringing home his own masterpieces!

I might just have to have two "walls of frames". I am just not sure I'll be able to part with this one :)

First Post for the New Year

Things are pretty busy around here as we wrap up the holidays and settle back into our routine. We have a couple of big things happening around our house and I feel like my blogging will be a little sparse for another week or two. I am not much on new year's resolutions and can't think of a year that I actually made a list. So, I will not be posting or writing on said topic. However, I did see this questionnaire of a fellow blogger and thought it was a neat way to bring in the new year!

1. What did you do in 2009 that you had never done before? Attend the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska! It was super exciting to cheer for the Golden Eagles at such a prestigious venue!

2. Did you keep your New Year's Resolutions and will you make more for next year? As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, I am not one to make resolutions. Seems like every day should be a new day to me :)

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Unfortunately, NO! However, my sister is expecting her third child (her first GIRL!!!) in May and I can hardly stand the wait!

4. Did anyone close to you die? Thankfully, no. We have had a year or two since we have been married that we visited the funeral home more than we would have liked. I am glad this year was not one of them.

5. What places have you visited? I got to visit Baltimore, New Orleans, the Gulf Coast, Nashville, Omaha, etc.

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009? I would like to pull back more and enjoy the moment. I always have a list going - either written or in my head. There is always a project, a chore, a demand that is always nagging at me.

7. What date from 2009 will remain etched in your memory and why? August 9th/16th - Our last day at the church we had served in pushing two decades/our first day at our new church.

8. What was your biggest achievement this year? Beginning and completing "Esther" by Beth Moore. It was the first group Bible Study I had been a part of in years and I was blessed.

9. Did you suffer illness or injury? I had sinus surgery in April. The first week of recovery was a little tough, but well worth it!

10. What was the best thing you bought? New living room furniture!!! We were in desperate need of a new sofa. With my brother in the furniture industry, we lucked up! Not only were we able to get a new sofa, but a loveseat and leather recliner, too!

11. Where did most of your money go? Hands down, groceries!

12. What song will always remind you of 2008? I am not much of a music guru. I like music, I listen to it occasionally. But, rarely do I turn my radio on. There are a few songs that are new to me this year and they are "Hosanna" by Paul Baloche and "We Will Remember" by Tommy Walker.

13. What do you wish you would have done more of? I am not going to answer this question. I don't like to look at life like this. Live each day to the fullest. Do your best. Every day is a new day :)

14. What do you wish you would have done less of? See #13.

15. What was your favorite TV program? Castle. I really enjoy the wit, the cases, and the relationships.

16. What was the best book you read this year? This is sooo tough! I finished the Twilight series - LOVED IT!! Read the Harry Potter series - LOVED IT!!! Began my interest into Karen Kingsbury - loved several of her books!! I finally had to put the books down. I told myself I would not read again until after the holidays. I am thinking I might start back up with some Nicholas Sparks :)

17. What was your favorite film of the year? I enjoyed seeing Twilight and the Harry Potter movies after having read the books. Ironically though, my favorite movies have been a few Kris has requested from Netflix - Ironman, Wolverine, and The Bourne Identity Trilogy to name a few!!!

18. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you? I turned 34 last February and Kris and I celebrated by going out to eat at a locally owned restaurant, The Purple Parrot. I had never been and it was delicious! A highlight was when Brett Favre and his party was seated at the table next to us.

19. What political issue stirred you the most? I don't get that caught up in politics. I am thankful to live in a free country and do not take it for granted. However, if I spend too much time listening to the news and what is being debated it wears me out.

20. Who was the best new person you met? Lori. She came to work with BSU for 2009 while on furlough. She did a fantastic job reaching out to students and helping them meet their goals. I appreciate her heart, her encouragement, her work. She is back to work now and I pray that she finds good friends and her new city becomes home.