Jul5

Our Family Art Project

Posted on July 5, 2013 by Pillows A-La-Mode

When our family was all together in June, we created an art project that Dave and I will cherish forever! When I say “we,” I admit that all I did was pin the original idea (click here . . . it’s REALLY cute!) on Pinterest and send it to our seven amazing daughters-in-law. They took it from there! Shannon is our mixed media artist, so she prepared the canvas. Then she wrote a tutorial! (See links below.) When everyone arrived, Jen took charge of the grandchildren handprints. Being a kindergarten teacher and mother of toddlers, she’s a pro! Tiffany, Mary Ann, Vickie, Danielle, and Christin all helped with the painting, holding, and cleaning up of little hands. Our work of art is now hanging over our staircase so it will be the first thing guests see when they enter our home. HAPPY SIGH . . . ♥

SHANNON’S TUTORIAL:

Click Mixed Media Canvas for a word document.

Click Mixed Media Canvas for a pdf.

73 responses »

whimziequiltz on July 5, 2013 at 9:26 am said:

Oh my! What a stunning piece. You are definitely blessed with a wonderful, talented family.

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- Pillows A-La-Mode on July 5, 2013 at 9:43 am said:
  
  “Blessed” is just the right word, dear friend! Thank you! 🙂
  
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Ellen Grace Olinger on July 5, 2013 at 9:27 am said:

Yes, I see . . . how beautiful and what a treasure!

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- Pillows A-La-Mode on July 5, 2013 at 9:44 am said:
  
  Thank you, Ellen! I know that if we ever move, this will be the first thing on the wall! 🙂
  
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tgonzales on July 5, 2013 at 9:34 am said:

Very nice and what a great idea. It sounds like you have some very talented people in your family just like their dear Mom. 🙂

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- Pillows A-La-Mode on July 5, 2013 at 9:46 am said:
  
  Awww . . . thank you, Tamara! Really, they ARE super-talented! I LOVED having sons, but it sure is fun to have all these lovely girls in our family now! 🙂
  
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  - tgonzales on July 5, 2013 at 9:52 am said:
    
    🙂
    
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Me on July 5, 2013 at 9:38 am said:

Just amazing!

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- Pillows A-La-Mode on July 5, 2013 at 9:47 am said:
  
  Thank you! You can see why I love it so much! 🙂
  
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Ginny on July 5, 2013 at 10:08 am said:

What a great project, great piece of art and great memories.

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- Pillows A-La-Mode on July 5, 2013 at 11:39 am said:
  
  Thank you, Ginny! It’s definitely a treasure! 🙂
  
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eclecticlamb on July 5, 2013 at 10:08 am said:

I love group art projects! Amazing job!!

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- Pillows A-La-Mode on July 5, 2013 at 11:39 am said:
  
  It was so much fun to watch them in action! And the finished project makes me smile every time I look at it! 🙂
  
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Elizabeth - Lili & Mum's on July 5, 2013 at 10:14 am said:

That is such a special piece of art. I’m so happy for you!

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- Pillows A-La-Mode on July 5, 2013 at 11:40 am said:
  
  Thank you! It was definitely a weekend to remember, and this brings back all those happy memories! 🙂
  
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mywithershins on July 5, 2013 at 10:30 am said:

What a Masterpiece – a real treasure! I love those handprints. 🙂

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- Pillows A-La-Mode on July 5, 2013 at 11:40 am said:
  
  It was quite a feat to get them all on there . . . especially with the babies in the family! 🙂
  
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Micha on July 5, 2013 at 10:50 am said:

Amazing! I love it…what a treasure!

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- Pillows A-La-Mode on July 5, 2013 at 11:41 am said:
  
  Thank you! I was so excited to hang it on our wall! 🙂
  
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Lindsay on July 5, 2013 at 11:07 am said:

I love it! So bright and fun!

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- Pillows A-La-Mode on July 5, 2013 at 11:41 am said:
  
  Those colors will definitely bring sunshine to our home no matter what the weather! 🙂
  
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  - Lindsay on July 5, 2013 at 2:05 pm said:
    
    Exactly!
    
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vickymyerscreations on July 5, 2013 at 11:51 am said:

Really lovely – how great t have space to hang for people to see it when they walk in:)

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- Pillows A-La-Mode on July 5, 2013 at 4:32 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Vicky! I find myself going to that part of the house just so I can see it! 🙂
  
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Sarah on July 5, 2013 at 12:09 pm said:

It’s really beautiful! And what a nice tribute to your family and grandchildren!

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- Pillows A-La-Mode on July 5, 2013 at 4:33 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Sarah! It’s the perfect remembrance of our wonderful weekend together! 🙂
  
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Judy @ GrandparentsPlus2 on July 5, 2013 at 12:12 pm said:

You’ve outdone yourself and that is hard to do but you did. What a treasure. 🙂

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- Pillows A-La-Mode on July 5, 2013 at 4:33 pm said:
  
  You’re too sweet! 🙂 But I do agree that this is a treasure! Thank you, dear Judy! 🙂
  
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easycraftsforchildren on July 5, 2013 at 12:30 pm said:

Wonderful project, it inspires me !!

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- Pillows A-La-Mode on July 5, 2013 at 4:34 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Izabel! You inspire me, too! 🙂
  
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nickygrace on July 5, 2013 at 12:44 pm said:

Beautiful !!

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- Pillows A-La-Mode on July 5, 2013 at 4:34 pm said:
  
  Thank you! I couldn’t wait to share it! 🙂
  
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Anny on July 5, 2013 at 12:54 pm said:

This is totally awesome!!

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- Pillows A-La-Mode on July 5, 2013 at 4:34 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Anny! I must say that I DO have an awesome family! 🙂
  
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Q on July 5, 2013 at 3:40 pm said:

Q – Love this! Especially love the handprints. Will have to do that next time we’re lucky enough to have all of our grandkids “home”.

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- Pillows A-La-Mode on July 5, 2013 at 4:36 pm said:
  
  It’s hard to get everyone together at the same time, isn’t it? Our weekend involved people traveling to Kansas from four different states! Of course I loved every minute! 🙂
  
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Born To Organize on July 5, 2013 at 5:16 pm said:

This is absolutely delightful. I’m grinning ear to ear. Not only is it a beautiful piece of art, but one personalized with those tiny little hands. To be honest, I didn’t even realize they were hands till I read further. They’ve incorporated so nicely into the whole.

I’ve no doubt you’ll cherish this always. Lovely.

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- Pillows A-La-Mode on July 6, 2013 at 6:19 am said:
  
  Thank you, Alys! I should have posted photos of the hand-painting session . . . I can still picture it! 🙂 Have a LOVELY weekend, my friend! 🙂
  
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  - Born To Organize on July 6, 2013 at 10:14 am said:
    
    Thank you! You do the same.
    
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craftinlightenment on July 5, 2013 at 5:21 pm said:

This is a keepsake in so many ways…the collaborative work, everyone’s involvement with the project, and the beautiful result of everyone’s collaboration. Great idea!

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- Pillows A-La-Mode on July 6, 2013 at 6:21 am said:
  
  Thank you! Everyone also decorated paper T-shirts to create a VERY long garland . . . that was really fun, too! 🙂 https://pillowsalamode.wordpress.com/2013/05/19/t-shirt-garland-kit/
  
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  - craftinlightenment on July 6, 2013 at 6:33 am said:
    
    How neat!
    
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Neaten Your Nest on July 5, 2013 at 6:55 pm said:

What a beautiful and creative idea. I love this and I actually sing ‘You are my Sunshine’ to my kids all the time. How perfect this would be!

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- Pillows A-La-Mode on July 6, 2013 at 6:21 am said:
  
  I love that song, too, and find myself singing it a lot! So this was the perfect picture for our home. Thank you, Erin! 🙂
  
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gentlestitches on July 5, 2013 at 11:38 pm said:

A lovely and timely post for me. Well done on a beautiful project. I am off to Barwon Heads tomorow and your post reminded me to put together a little creative “something” for us to enjoy together!
I think it is time to make our baby sock monkeys. “You are my sunshine” is my favorite song and this year my son played it on his saxophone for me for Mothers Day. “Why are you crying if you are happy Mummy?” 🙂

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- Pillows A-La-Mode on July 6, 2013 at 6:23 am said:
  
  Oh, that just makes me smile! The travel, the family crafting, and the amazing gift from your son . . . LOVE!!! 🙂
  
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Winter Owls on July 6, 2013 at 1:07 am said:

It looks fabulous and what a precious piece to keep in your home!

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- Pillows A-La-Mode on July 6, 2013 at 6:23 am said:
  
  Thank you! I love how it tells so many stories. 🙂
  
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Lisa on July 6, 2013 at 6:19 am said:

I love that! A wonderful keepsake!!

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- Pillows A-La-Mode on July 6, 2013 at 6:24 am said:
  
  Thank you, Lisa! Have you ever made pawprint art with your sweet pups???
  
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simplyeclecticlife on July 6, 2013 at 9:03 am said:

I saw this in pinterest also but like your finished product better! Very nice!

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- Pillows A-La-Mode on July 6, 2013 at 1:16 pm said:
  
  Thank you! I love how everyone can take the same idea and create their own interpretation . . . but I have to admit that Shannon’s is AMAZING!!! 🙂
  
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Nikitaland on July 6, 2013 at 11:23 am said:

Absolutely beautiful and something to treasure for years to come! I love items like this!

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- Pillows A-La-Mode on July 6, 2013 at 1:17 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Valerie! 🙂
  
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Marilyn Griffin on July 6, 2013 at 9:05 pm said:

truly a memory piece…great idea!…now to get all of mine together and try this…I would cherish it just as much!

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- Pillows A-La-Mode on July 7, 2013 at 7:11 am said:
  
  Thank you, Marilyn! I hope you have one hanging in your home someday soon! Hugs, Katherine
  
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Angela @ CreativeBlossoming.com on July 7, 2013 at 1:24 am said:

I love all the different layers of pattern and texture! So cool to have artwork that was a collaborative project. Very lovely!

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- Pillows A-La-Mode on July 7, 2013 at 7:12 am said:
  
  I do, too! Every time I look at a mixed media piece, I see something different! 🙂
  
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KnitNell on July 8, 2013 at 3:22 am said:

Showing that art can truly be priceless – lovely.

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- Pillows A-La-Mode on July 8, 2013 at 7:45 am said:
  
  Thank you, Eleanor! 🙂
  
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Anonymous on July 8, 2013 at 4:10 am said:

What a great idea.

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- Pillows A-La-Mode on July 8, 2013 at 7:45 am said:
  
  Thank you! As you can tell, I just love it!!! 🙂
  
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now at home mom on July 8, 2013 at 9:43 am said:

beautiful and very inspiring Katherine! 🙂

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- Pillows A-La-Mode on July 8, 2013 at 10:04 am said:
  
  Thank you, Ingrid! 🙂
  
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paper and lace on July 8, 2013 at 4:15 pm said:

So special, I love it! Gives me warm fuzzies, what a nice way to start the day, thank you so much for sharing! xox

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- Pillows A-La-Mode on July 8, 2013 at 4:19 pm said:
  
  Thank you! Oh, and your blog is lovely!!! 🙂
  
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  - paper and lace on July 8, 2013 at 4:27 pm said:
    
    Thank YOU!!! xox
    
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P.S. I Love Soap Co. on July 9, 2013 at 4:08 am said:

Katherine ~ I love this so much I showed my husband..:)

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- Pillows A-La-Mode on July 9, 2013 at 10:14 am said:
  
  Awww . . . that’s so nice!!! 🙂
  
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The Renegade Seamstress on July 10, 2013 at 8:19 pm said:

I just love that you do family art projects! You definitely get the Mom of the Year Award from me!!!!

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- Pillows A-La-Mode on July 10, 2013 at 8:57 pm said:
  
  You’re too sweet, Beth!!! But I sure do love this treasure! 🙂
  
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kartwheels on July 15, 2013 at 2:41 pm said:

How lovely! It is very special to have a special piece inspired, and created, by family. I’ll be following along to see what you are up to (love pillows!) and invite you to check out my blog of kids projects, if you have the time and interest. http://kartwheels.org/
Take good care!
Karen

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- Pillows A-La-Mode on August 7, 2013 at 11:56 am said:
  
  Thank you! And your blog is really fun, too! 🙂
  
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