Pretty As A Picture

Today I was in a crafty type mood. Actually it started last week but I had to work....so it had to wait. I usually don't do many projects on the weekends because the Hubs is home and I try to spend my time adoring hanging out with him. But today I needed to get this done so I can get it in the mail. See...Valentines Day (a.k.a. the Dreaded Dark Day) is coming up....I try to have something nice to give my sisters....something that says "I love you, and I'm thinking about you". I try to start early in case I get over come with emotion too bummed out to function. I started this craft with a beautiful 2x6 that the lovely folks at Home Depot cut into 9" sections for me.
Then I painted them black, let them dry and sanded them.....all under the watchful eye of the Hubs, who couldn't believe that I didn't sand them first and then paint them.....amateur. Then I rubbed on some stain and wiped it off with a clean rag.
Then I cut some paper down to size and Mod Podged it to the board. After that I repeated the process with a photo collage that I ordered from Picnik. My sisters and I had some awesome pics taken this summer (by my BFF Heather). The pics were our first attempt to get some photos of us without Mom. It was hard and I think we used laughter to mask the wrongness of the whole situation.
More photos and more magic Mod Podge.
After the bottom layer had dried I gooped on a thick top layer. While I waited for it to dry Hubs and I went outside to enjoy the beautiful sunny 35* day. I needed that sunshine more that I can say.....plus the stain had stunk up the kitchen something fierce.
After the Mod Podge was mostly dry I cut some ribbon to cover the transition area. I could have left it blank or used some other material....but I am limited in my craft choices due to my lack of proximity to Hobby Lobby.
Cutesy embellishment on the ribbon....a daisy because they remind us of Mom....and it is finished. The text on the photos is hard to read....but I think it will make them smile.
I love crafting almost as much as I love my sisters. Someday, when I live closer to them, we will do lots of crafty things together. It's good to dream.
On Monday, I will link this to Metamorphosis Monday. There will be hundreds of great ideas to look at and be inspired by. You should go there....I'm just saying.
I am also linking with Something I Whipped Up.