LOVE Project…

Allison had to work late yesterday, so I decided that Ava and I would have some fun doing a photo project. We went to the store and found 3 plain white shirts that were only $2 each. I was looking for 4 of them in her size (3T), but the bargain proved stronger than the quantity and I just figured that we would improvise.

My plan was to take 4 shots that we could hang in her new room. She’s going to be a big sister now, and the baby will take over her old room as she takes over the guest bedroom. We’ve got to make it her own and I don’t just want to make everything PINK!!

So here’s what we did:

L

O

V

E

Now, imagine what they’ll look like as we frame them out horizontally in her room:

LOVEmontageLowRes

You can really get a good feel for it by clicking below to…

SEE IT LARGER ON BLACK!!

I used a Sharpie Rub-A-Dub Laundry marker to write out the letters. I was trying to print something out to make a stencil out of, but it just wasn’t working out and I decided to freehand it based on the font CURLZ. There were definitely some mess-ups along the way, but you really can’t tell in the photos.

Yes…the “L” shirt has an “E” on the back of it.

As long as Allison is on board, I’m going to have them printed 12×18 and then frame them to hang next to each other…it should look pretty sweet. Ava had fun, I had fun…and it will be something interesting to look at for a few years.

So…

Are you ready to take on a creative project?

Say, why don't you post a comment, subscribe via RSS, or follow me on twitter?

100 Responses to “LOVE Project…”

  1. cheyenna says:

    what a great idea!! i ‘love’ it. my next project is making a special stuffed animal for my daughter to take to preschool.

    {reply}

  2. Jess says:

    This is absolutely adorable and I think it’d be a perfect addition to the new room! I’m a new reader, first time commentor, and I’m here from Pdub. I really enjoy your blog and I’ve gone back to read some :)

    Happy Friday,

    Jess

    {reply}

  3. Debbie says:

    Your talents never cease to amaze me! Very clever and Ava is adorable in the photos – you are a great Dad!

    {reply}

  4. Amber says:

    I do love it….we took on a special project January 1st of this year and it’s our project 365. You can see it on my Flickr. I’m one of your contacts now. It’s been fun, but also pretty difficult to keep up with. But, we are pressing forward !!

    {reply}

  5. Cindy says:

    I love the idea, may borrow it with my niece.

    I am starting a new photo project on Tuesday. It has some humor to it but will also have a serious bent to it as well.

    {reply}

  6. Pip says:

    I adore this idea! I want these photos for myself to hang in my office.

    {reply}

  7. Cheri says:

    LOVE it! I’ve been mulling over similar ideas…I might have to copy this one for a gift for my sister! (using her 4 kids). GREAT JOB.

    {reply}

  8. Heth says:

    Coming out of lurkdom to say how much I LOVE this idea. Fantastic.

    {reply}

  9. Jen says:

    That is an adorable idea! Gorgeous!

    {reply}

  10. Elaine says:

    Great idea! I may have to steal it.

    {reply}

  11. Diane in Cincinnati says:

    That is absolutely adorable!

    {reply}

  12. Sandy G says:

    This is such a simple idea, but one hella rad one! I’m thinking I’ll definitely try this with my two year old girl. Her little brother, on the other hand, might not have the patience for this sort of thing, unless his shirt spells out “cute pain in my butt”, and that one might take a while.

    {reply}

  13. Kate says:

    Awesome idea, Ryan! I was wondering if that was stenciled or not; from this vantage point it definitely looked stenciled. So precious!

    {reply}

  14. These turned out GREAT!! Nice freehand work :)

    {reply}

  15. Hello! I’m also a new reader/lurker here from Pdub! I love your blog and spent way too long reading the archives back to page 12 the other day.
    A scripture you posted really hit him.

    2 Corinthians 5:17 says, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

    I can’t thank you enough for that. I have just begun my new journey in faith and felt like you were speaking right to me!

    You’re daughter is darling, I have an 2.875 year old who’s going on 6. She’s quite the spunk. I also have a 15 month old. My days are never dull :) The shirt idea is darling!!

    Looking forward to future posts! Have a great day!

    {reply}

  16. Aften says:

    OMG Ava is so cute.

    {reply}

  17. The Dan says:

    Guessing from the size of that dolls head I’m going to guess Powerpuff Girl.

    {reply}

  18. Jennifer says:

    That’s a wonderful keepsake for her and a wonderful idea. They came out beautifully! Color me impressed :)

    {reply}

  19. Teresa L. Cotterman says:

    This may be the cutest thing ever. Thanks for a great idea.

    {reply}

  20. Angela says:

    Oh.My.Gosh. That is the cutest thing EVER!

    {reply}

  21. Dyan says:

    What a great idea!!! It’s always fun to drop by and see what you’ve been up to ;)

    {reply}

  22. Amber says:

    That turned out great! Good idea using the back of the shirt. You did a fantastic job on the lettering! I’m impressed.

    I did something like this a couple years ago with my son, except it was three pictures with him signing out “I Love You” in sign language. I had them printed on 11×11 canvas squares and hung them in my front room. Wonder if my 3-year-old is ready to do something like that?

    {reply}

  23. Kelly says:

    How cute is that?? What an awesome idea!

    {reply}

  24. Tiffany says:

    You are a genius…and she is sooo adorable!

    {reply}

  25. neonmouse says:

    Wow! That’s very creative and adorable! I haven’t been as creative lately… But I am working on crocheting a blanket for my brother. I just learned a few years ago… I always thought it was something your grandmother does, not something YOU could do… haha! Plus, with modern designs, it makes it not so grannyish…

    {reply}

  26. neonmouse says:

    note: i meant to say that it is quite relaxing…plus, with modern designs… :P

    {reply}

  27. Tanya B says:

    Fantastic idea! She’s precious.

    {reply}

  28. Christie says:

    I love this! Thanks for sharing your creativity.

    {reply}

  29. Olivia C says:

    That is such a great project!!! It is absolutely pure sweetness. I may have to use this a jumping off point for a special project for the grandparents!

    {reply}

  30. bdaiss says:

    This is so fabulous! I’m stealing the idea if you don’t mind…

    {reply}

  31. Ernestine says:

    OMG! Yu are a genius. I am SO using this. Thank you!

    {reply}

  32. someone says:

    Cuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuute!! She’s sooooooo adorable!!

    Way cool idea… and they came out beautiful!!

    {reply}

  33. Dale says:

    Love it! I might have to borrow the idea for my two girls. Think we’d put it on the wall going up the stairs.

    Love your blog!

    {reply}

  34. Jen says:

    What I love best is the expressions on Ava’s face. She’s having so much fun! I don’t have children though… wonder if I could get my cats to ‘pose’ in letter shapes?? Worth a try! ;-)

    {reply}

  35. Suzanne says:

    I LOVE it! We’ve tried – unsuccessfully – to have our kids spell words with their bodies – but this is so much cuter!!! Way to go.

    {reply}

  36. Anna says:

    This is a freaking awesome idea.

    Good thing there are creative people like you around to share your ideas or the rest of us would just be stuck with plain white walls.

    {reply}

  37. Savitrii says:

    I adore it! What a fantastic idea. I love this blog — thanks for writing.

    {reply}

  38. Jzbell says:

    Every time I come to your blog, this kid blows me away with her cuteness. Very cool shots too! =)

    {reply}

  39. Jo says:

    Totally cute idea! Cute kid, too. Now I know what we will do for next year’s Christmas card!

    {reply}

  40. Starwoodgal says:

    Oh that’s fun! I’ve been working on my living room wall photo array. Heading to Hobby Lobby again this weekend for more matting and framing.

    Great photos!

    {reply}

  41. denisa says:

    too cute! love it! and ava is absolutely adorable. she looks like such the little ham :)

    {reply}

  42. Heather says:

    how cute!
    me and my youth pastors wife are making photo books out of paper bags.
    its really fun and really easy to make!

    {reply}

  43. Hi Ryan. I just clicked over from PW and had to comment – what a fantastic idea! I love it and your daughter is adorable!

    {reply}

  44. Hannah says:

    This is brilliant! I am impressed that your letters are free hand, very nice!

    {reply}

  45. Callee says:

    That is so cute! I love the idea!

    {reply}

  46. NaysWay says:

    I have wanted to do something just like this with my kids for their rooms. I just don’t know where to take the photos to get them blown up that big for frames. Have any suggestions?

    {reply}

  47. Kelly says:

    O.k., so this will be repetitive. Ava is too darn cute and that is a wonderful idea. I’m sure her new room will be adorable. Reminds me of when Jonathan got his new room before Rebecca was born. I couldn’t find him one afternoon and happened to look in his old room, which was completely empty at that point, and he was just sitting in the middle of it looking around. He wasn’t even one. It was too darn cute.

    {reply}

  48. AWWW-SOME!!!!!!!! That is what that is!
    As a hugely creative person myself I must say this is one great idea. Simply adorable!

    {reply}

  49. elizabeth Flanigan says:

    very cool, I really like your photography, very talented, I to am an artist along with my daughter Jamie,although she is much more talented than I.

    {reply}

  50. Melissa says:

    I too am here from Pioneer Woman’s blog.

    I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this idea. Your daughter is precious!

    {reply}

  51. Bridge says:

    I could not possibly love this creative project more if I tried. She is beautiful.

    {reply}

  52. Helen says:

    That is such a great idea! Cool Dad you are!

    If I’d stop getting in my own way I could finish my creative project!

    {reply}

  53. Tracie says:

    LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!!!! What an awesome idea. And what a lovely little girl. My creative projects have all been crochet related. I’m working on some gifts for my best friend’s wedding. I really need to get back to some photography though!

    {reply}

  54. Lo says:

    LOVE. IT. she is so lucky to have a great dad like you!

    {reply}

  55. Jessica says:

    Cutest thing ever. Yup. Seriously.

    {reply}

  56. Andrea says:

    I have the cutest niece! I love that idea. My mother-in-law would freak if I did this with the grandbabies! I might steal it too!

    {reply}

  57. Bridget says:

    Awesome, I love it. I think you might want to copyright the idea after all your blog readers do it free first, :)

    {reply}

  58. Spruce Hill says:

    That is such an incredible idea! I love it :)

    http://sprucehill.typepad.com/

    {reply}

  59. Cecilia says:

    I don’t know how “creative” a project it was, but I just recaned and painted some old, old wicker. I’ve got it posted on my blog if you’re interested in looking at it. I also made an upholstered headboard too!

    {reply}

  60. Marysol says:

    You can keep these shirts and duplicate this idea with other kid’s photoshoots.

    The Cape to Cairo $5 Challenge is my latest creative idea/project. Would love the link love pastor ryan!

    Thanks
    Marysol

    {reply}

  61. Sunny says:

    What an absolutely adorable and fantastic idea. I love it!

    {reply}

  62. Debamundo says:

    I LOVE LOVE this! What a great idea. Your wonderful photography is one of the things that keeps me coming back to your site.

    Where do you have your prints made? I recommend Mpix.com Give them a try.

    {reply}

  63. Carrie G says:

    I have never been to your site, this is AWESOME. Beautiful and very full of love.

    {reply}

  64. [...] This is a link to a blog that is in my google reader (oh google reader how I love [...]

  65. Daiquiri says:

    Awesome idea! I might have to give that one a try… :)

    {reply}

  66. Meg says:

    Once I get my macro lens for my birthday… I have a similar project I’m going to do for my fiancee!

    {reply}

  67. Philly says:

    I absolutely love it !!!

    {reply}

  68. Laurie says:

    Ok, Ava is the cutest gal around and that is a great creative project! What an awesome idea!

    Also, my mom and I just bought a business.

    http://www.customdoodles.com Very creative and tons of fun!

    Let me know if you want a family sign!

    {reply}

  69. Janet says:

    Very creative. I sent this link to a bunch of my friends. Just adorable.

    {reply}

  70. Lara says:

    This is an adorable idea! It would be perfect to try out with my two youngest girls who share a room…

    {reply}

  71. Kathy says:

    Ryan! The pictures are totally ADORABLE! I am sure Allison is going to LOVE it! Great idea!

    {reply}

  72. Aims says:

    What a fantastic idea! The photos turned out beautifully and that is one cute little girl. I’m looking into buying a new lens, what is your favourite lens to shoot photos like this with?

    {reply}

  73. I suddenly have a strong urge to do something artsy! I have to say I’ve really been enjoying your blog. I just found it recently and have been loving each new entry. Check mine out…

    {reply}

  74. Amanda says:

    This is beautiful!

    {reply}

  75. MommyAmy says:

    That is such a cute idea!!! LOVE it!

    {reply}

  76. Joy D says:

    I LOVE THIS :) your so cool!

    {reply}

  77. Kimberly says:

    Great job Ryan. I hope Allison is on board. I think it will look awesome.

    As for as projects go… I have to pace myself or I get in over my head and drown.

    {reply}

  78. [...] So so cute. (I think the “E” is my favorite.) And I’m not just randomly declaring alphabet favorites, pippa, I swear. Click on the link so you’ll know what I’m talking about. [...]

  79. giuseppina says:

    that might be one of the cutest things ever!

    {reply}

  80. Jenny in Montana says:

    What a great idea! I wish I’d have thought of it!

    I’m visiting your blog from Ree’s blog, Pioneer Woman.

    You’re my new favorite feed!

    Thanks!

    {reply}

  81. Traci Best says:

    That is such a wicked-cool idea! My mouth is still hanging open! LOL! You must-must-must take a pic of the final product hung in her new room for us to see! I wish I had the time and the talent to recreate your idea with my kids! That would be an awesome gift for family members too!

    {reply}

  82. naomig says:

    That is pure awesomeness right there. I might have to steal that sometime.

    {reply}

  83. MariaV says:

    Fabulous! Did Allison like the idea?

    A few suggestions:
    Do another set with “WINS.”
    Pick up some transfer paper and print minature photos on it and add the photos to the t-shirts.
    You and Ava can paint other letters/words (e.g., peace, faith, etc.) on pieces of wood that you can assemble around her new room.

    {reply}

  84. Fran says:

    You are so creative!

    {reply}

  85. Elissa in MA says:

    Oh my goodness, this is just adorable! I too think I may have to steal the idea. Now to try to find 3 inexpensive plain white tee shirts. Thinking I may need to draw the letter on while it’s worn. I’m terrible when it comes to any type of artistic ability. My letters will probably be off kilter and hard to read,,, lol. But Ava looks adorable and it’s a great idea! Love this site.

    {reply}

  86. Stacey Ball says:

    I agree with all the other 84 people that this is an awesome idea!!! So cute and so creative!

    {reply}

  87. Liz G. says:

    That is just adorable! I can’t imagine ANYONE not loving it!

    {reply}

  88. Elaine K. says:

    What a fantastic and BEAUTIFUL idea. You are so creative.

    I’m not usually a big commenter, but this one could not go un-praised.

    You rock. No really – you do

    P.S. Love your sleeve

    {reply}

  89. Amazing idea, oh and I’m totally ripping it off for Mothers Day but I’m giving you all of the credit ;o)

    What lucky ladies to have such and awesome daddy and husband!

    ~Rachel

    {reply}

  90. Jennifer says:

    I got to your site thru Pioneer womans and I love it! And this Idea is awesome! I have 3 kids, and I wish I would have thougth of something like this to do with them!

    {reply}

  91. you have got a beautiful little angel there! i fell in love!

    {reply}

  92. Kate says:

    Ryan,
    I am a daily reader of Pioneer Woman, Ree and just recently my sister showed me your web site which I am now a big fan of as well. I have made your mexican lasagna from PW web site. HOw do you know Ree? What’s the connection?

    {reply}

  93. Angela says:

    one of the coolest ideas I’ve seen in a long time! absolutely adorable!

    {reply}

  94. [...] the Pioneer Woman. Ree is friends with this guy named Ryan, who’s blog she also follows. The project was [...]

  95. Katherine says:

    Ryan, Mine aren’t as good as yours, but I thought you might like to see that you inspired a project for a family with boys! http://katandgray.blogspot.com/2009/05/actually-following-up-on-something-for.html Thanks so much! I really enjoy your blog. AND I was reading before Ree made you famous. :)

    {reply}

  96. LOVE this idea. I featured this on somedaycrafts.blogspot.com

    {reply}

  97. Angela Neil says:

    Thank you so much for sharing this idea! I can’t wait to try it! LOVE it!

    {reply}

  98. Sherri says:

    I love your idea and linked to it on my blog.

    http://dudeimadeit.blogspot.com/2010/01/spell-it-out-valentine.html

    Thanks for sharing.

    {reply}

Leave a Reply