Botanical Art

This idea has been sitting on my list since we moved in.  And there is nothing like knowing a little one is on the way to spring me into action!  Fortunately, it turned out great, even better than I expected, which is kind of rare considering my project expectations don't always match reality.

D is always hearing me say when we finish things that it is my most favorite thing we have done.  Well, I guess I just have a lot of favorites.  And, this one is no exception.

 

So - details on the project:

I wanted to hang a group of prints.  I decided on botanical prints when I found this cost-effective option.  Luckily, I found a great book while perusing on Amazon.  I ordered it, sight unseen, and lucked out that it was just what I was looking for.  The prints are elegant and in the color shades that I wanted to emphasize in our home.

The process:
* I purchased this book.
* I purchased picture frames. (see note)
* I choose 15 of my favorite prints and used an exacto knife to cut them out of the book.
* Next, I used my paper cutter to straighten the edge I'd trimmed out of book.
* Then, I cut fifteen 11x14 pieces of white poster board.  (tip: I bought a package of 10 sheets at Hobby Lobby, used a 40% off coupon and spent less than $3 on the poster board).
* I mounted each print onto a cut piece of poster board and inserted them into the frames.
* I measured and measured and measured, planned and planned and planned, then measured more... to figure out how to get the frames onto the wall.  Finally, I looked online and found an excellent idea: to use wrapping paper with grid lines on the back.  First hang the paper, then measure and mark on it the placement of frames. BEST IDEA EVER! Also, the wrapping paper with grid lines on the back can be found at Hobby Lobby :)

* After marking on the grid paper, I had D hammer in the nails for me.   Because the idea of un-level nails overwhelmed me, and D is an expert with a hammer.
* We hung the frames with a nail in each top corner, to help keep the frames level and steady.

 

Notes:
In addition to the book I purchased, I liked these other options:
- The Art of Instruction, found here
- Besler's Book of Flowers, found here 

Picture frames from Michael's:
- I used the same frames in G's nursery a couple years ago and was pleased with their quality, considering they are $3 each (regularly $6 without a coupon).  They have glass fronts (not plastic) and mounting hardware is already installed on them. 
- The frames I bought came in packages of 2 for $12, without the coupon. (And just at $6-7 with a coupon.)
- Michael's allows 1 Michael's coupon AND 1 competitor coupon per customer per day per transaction. So, I frequented Michael's multiple days in a row.
- I bought 1 extra set of picture frames to keep in case any of these frames break over time - I would hate if Michael's stops carrying the frames just before I needed to replace 1 of them.  (G hit one of the frames I had hanging in his room and it broke... so I know this could be a reality with two dudes cruising around the house everyday).

Measurements I considered:
- The dimensions of each frame (the reveal was 11x14 plus the actual width of frame)
- I spaced 1.5 inches between frames, in all directions.
- I wanted the overall length of gallery to match closely the length of my buffet
- I wanted the center of the prints to be aligned with the center of my chandelier in the dining room  (This is incidently 1.75 inches off the actual center of the wall).
- I wanted to top row to be aligned with the top of door frame into kitchen.
- I used grid paper to draw it all out and consider measurements before marking on the wrapping paper grid lines (I hung the wrapping paper to the wall using tacks).