DIY Alternate Family Photos

A few months ago, one of my Instagram friends put up a darling cross stitch family “photo” she created. She said it had been a while since her family had a professional photo taken and she wasn’t going to let it stop her. Her post got me thinking:

1 – I wanted NEEDED a cross stitch family photo, too.

2 – How many other ways could I make a family “photo”?

3 – If you can’t get your family together for distance, time or budget reasons, how fun to be creative and design your own!

On today’s Good Things Utah, I shared my cross stitch family photo created by the talented Jill Swensen along with my three other favorite ideas.

Just take pictures.

I agree. There is not substitute for the skill and art of a professional photographer. However, sometimes it’s just best to take pictures. As spontaneous and imperfect as they might be. I took these to send to Jill for out cross stitch family. I could have moved the stuff on the floor in our family room and taken a quick pic.

Instead, we decided to walk to the field across from our house, use a tripod and the camera remote and we got these gems. Sun flare and all!

Peg People

Woodpile Turned man & woman set (as many as needed)*
Frame
Cardstock background sheet, if desired
Assorted Acrylic Paint (matte paint is best)
Clear Matte Spray Varnish

*Peg people are also found on Amazon and at other craft stores. I purchased the peg people used in my example at Hobby Lobby. For reference, they are 3” tall.

Also Used: Peg People sketch paper (download on www.amberpacker.com/patterns), pencil, Sharpie, brushes, sand paper and pop dots.

Tips:

1. Sketch and plan out ideas on paper.

2. Lightly draw idea on peg person with pencil.

3. Paint inside out (skin and inner layers first), ending with jackets, shoes and eyes. If possible, paint lighter colors first.

4. Get paint from the lid to avoid wasting paint.

5. Create details using a Sharpie. If you are a good painter, you can use a long, thin brush. (Use a pencil, not freshly sharpened, for the eyes)

Paint Colors:

Mom: Folk Art Sunflower (hair), Americana Snow White, Delta Fire Red (dress), Delta Sea Foam (shoes) and Folk Art Pure Black (eyes).

Dad: Americana Bittersweet Chocolate (hair), Folk Art Light Gray (shirt), Folk Art Medium Gray (pants), Folk Art Pure Black (belt, shoes & eyes), Dazzling Metallics Silver (buckle) and Folk Art Pure Black (eyes).

Boy 1: Americana Burlap (hair), Folk Art Sterling Blue (shirt), Americana Snow White (shirt), Delta Fire Red (shirt & shoes), Delta Sea Foam (shirt) and Folk Art Barn Wood (pants).

Boy 2: Americana Bittersweet Chocolate (hair), Folk Art Pure Black (jersey top), Americana Snow White (jersey top), Americana Snow White (shorts & shoes) and Folk Art Pure Black (shorts, shoes & eyes).

I had a great time painting the peg people. My boys loved giving input on how their peg person should look.

I learned a few things along the way, as always happens.

I forgot I wasn’t going to do mouths and messed up the eyes on my peg person when I was adding the eyelashes. My poor peg person looks like Tammy Faye Baker. It was everything I had to not paint a new peg person. I am going to try to sand off the face before I do. I like the natural wood look.

The boys want to make more peg people. Maybe we will try superheroes next. I think I may have to make Wonder Woman a blonde. Winking smile