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:
Now, imagine what they’ll look like as we frame them out horizontally in her room:
You can really get a good feel for it by clicking below to…
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?

























96 Comments
what a great idea!! i ‘love’ it. my next project is making a special stuffed animal for my daughter to take to preschool.
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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
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Your talents never cease to amaze me! Very clever and Ava is adorable in the photos - you are a great Dad!
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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 !!
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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.
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I adore this idea! I want these photos for myself to hang in my office.
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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.
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Coming out of lurkdom to say how much I LOVE this idea. Fantastic.
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That is an adorable idea! Gorgeous!
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Great idea! I may have to steal it.
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That is absolutely adorable!
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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.
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Awesome idea, Ryan! I was wondering if that was stenciled or not; from this vantage point it definitely looked stenciled. So precious!
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These turned out GREAT!! Nice freehand work
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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!
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OMG Ava is so cute.
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Guessing from the size of that dolls head I’m going to guess Powerpuff Girl.
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That’s a wonderful keepsake for her and a wonderful idea. They came out beautifully! Color me impressed
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This may be the cutest thing ever. Thanks for a great idea.
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Oh.My.Gosh. That is the cutest thing EVER!
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What a great idea!!! It’s always fun to drop by and see what you’ve been up to
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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?
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How cute is that?? What an awesome idea!
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You are a genius…and she is sooo adorable!
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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…
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note: i meant to say that it is quite relaxing…plus, with modern designs…
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Fantastic idea! She’s precious.
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I love this! Thanks for sharing your creativity.
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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!
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This is so fabulous! I’m stealing the idea if you don’t mind…
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OMG! Yu are a genius. I am SO using this. Thank you!
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Cuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuute!! She’s sooooooo adorable!!
Way cool idea… and they came out beautiful!!
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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!
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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!
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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.
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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.
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I adore it! What a fantastic idea. I love this blog — thanks for writing.
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Every time I come to your blog, this kid blows me away with her cuteness. Very cool shots too! =)
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Totally cute idea! Cute kid, too. Now I know what we will do for next year’s Christmas card!
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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!
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too cute! love it! and ava is absolutely adorable. she looks like such the little ham
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how cute!
me and my youth pastors wife are making photo books out of paper bags.
its really fun and really easy to make!
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Hi Ryan. I just clicked over from PW and had to comment - what a fantastic idea! I love it and your daughter is adorable!
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This is brilliant! I am impressed that your letters are free hand, very nice!
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That is so cute! I love the idea!
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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?
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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.
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AWWW-SOME!!!!!!!! That is what that is!
As a hugely creative person myself I must say this is one great idea. Simply adorable!
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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.
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I too am here from Pioneer Woman’s blog.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this idea. Your daughter is precious!
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I could not possibly love this creative project more if I tried. She is beautiful.
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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!
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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!
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LOVE. IT. she is so lucky to have a great dad like you!
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Cutest thing ever. Yup. Seriously.
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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!
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Awesome, I love it. I think you might want to copyright the idea after all your blog readers do it free first,
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That is such an incredible idea! I love it
http://sprucehill.typepad.com/
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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!
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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
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*Too* cute!!
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What an absolutely adorable and fantastic idea. I love it!
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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.
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I have never been to your site, this is AWESOME. Beautiful and very full of love.
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Awesome idea! I might have to give that one a try…
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Once I get my macro lens for my birthday… I have a similar project I’m going to do for my fiancee!
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I absolutely love it !!!
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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!
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Very creative. I sent this link to a bunch of my friends. Just adorable.
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This is an adorable idea! It would be perfect to try out with my two youngest girls who share a room…
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Ryan! The pictures are totally ADORABLE! I am sure Allison is going to LOVE it! Great idea!
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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?
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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…
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This is beautiful!
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That is such a cute idea!!! LOVE it!
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I LOVE THIS
your so cool!
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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.
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that might be one of the cutest things ever!
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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!
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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!
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That is pure awesomeness right there. I might have to steal that sometime.
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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.
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You are so creative!
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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.
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I agree with all the other 84 people that this is an awesome idea!!! So cute and so creative!
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That is just adorable! I can’t imagine ANYONE not loving it!
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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
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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
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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!
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you have got a beautiful little angel there! i fell in love!
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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?
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one of the coolest ideas I’ve seen in a long time! absolutely adorable!
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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.
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LOVE this idea. I featured this on somedaycrafts.blogspot.com
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Thank you so much for sharing this idea! I can’t wait to try it! LOVE it!
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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.
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