November 26, 2009

the art of... picture hanging.


I take lots of pictures. That's no secret. But, I'm guilty of never printing them, never putting them in frames, and never hanging them on my [embarrassingly] bare walls. I am not a professional photographer, not a professional decorator, not a professional anything really but maybe a professional encourager, if you can be such a thing. So, I'm encouraging you to print your pictures. And put them out for someone [or you] [especially you] to see. Red Envelope let me pick out a gift from their website [for free] and I chose the kaleidoscope wall gallery frame.

I printed some of my favorite photos and didn't limit myself to just the size of the frames. I chose prints in larger sizes so that I could cut them to fit in alternate ways (for example a 5x7 of a group shot of the kids became two smaller photos.)


It only cost about $5 for several prints in different sizes from Walgreens (including extras in case I made mistakes) and they were ready within an hour. I'm so glad I finally got around to doing it.

And I did get this on the wall but the lighting wasn't that great for a photo. I'll be posting Thanksgiving pics next and you might catch a glimpse of it there.


Save 15% off your purchase at Red Envelope using code: CSMMB85R . It expires 12/15/09.

I have a $50 gift certificate to give away to spend at Red
Envelope. Just leave a comment here letting me know what you've got your eye on at their site. Contest is open to everyone, but Red Envelope only ships to the US.

I'll choose one winner Monday November 30 after 11:59 pm.
Congrats to Beana!

Have any picture hanging tips? Be sure to leave them in the comments, too.

I hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving!


Subscribe to my blog here
Twitter me- I'm babysteph
By Stephanie Precourt, Adventures In Babywearing - 8:05 PM
tags: , , ,

98 comments:

  1. I have always loved their frames, any and all of them. This hits so close to home, because while I take a gazillion photos, we have VERY few hanging up of the kids... in fact I think it was just two months ago I finally put up a few of Paige's newborn pictures.
    Those look great Steph!
    ReplyDelete
  2. I would so get the hallway gallery picture frame set because I have an exact location that desperately needs some pretty pictures; and I mean desperately!

    Tips for picture hanging: a level, a husband, a hammer, nails, me on the couch directing. ;) lol!!

    Thanks for the turkey day giveaway! I love giving stuff away on my blog; it's so nice to spread the gifts around.
    ReplyDelete
  3. I love the Family Locket Bracelet! What a cute site!

    Love your pics! I use to do a lot better about printing and putting photos up in our house. Lately I just haven't had time or money to buy frames to put all my printed pics in! I need to work on that once the holidays are over!

    Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving!
    ReplyDelete
  4. Ooh, the keepsake baby prints ornaments would look so cute on my little girl's wall!!! :)
    ReplyDelete
  5. I love Red Envelope! My eyes are on the wall gallery frames or the money tree.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    (my walls are bare as well, so no tips from me)
    ReplyDelete
  6. Honestly? I would get the Envirosax bags. I have one but I want more! There was plenty more on the site but if I was going to be practical that's what I'd buy. :)

    As for picture hanging: we've just started our "art wall", which consists of mixed art on an apple green wall... we're fitting the frames and pieces together like a puzzle and building from the center out. I can't wait to see what else we add to it!

    (and my secret is picture frames from the dollar store... you know, the ones that literally cost one dollar!)
    ReplyDelete
  7. I like the bamboo and marble cheese tray. I never win anything but it's worth a try!

    Happy Thanksgiving!
    ReplyDelete
  8. I love the stacking birthstone rings :)
    ReplyDelete
  9. Well I hope this isn't cheating but I am totally digging your kaleidoscope wall hanging. I love the colors and the easy grouping idea!
    ReplyDelete
  10. I really like the digital brag book. It would look really nice on my fireplace...I am with you...I am horrible at printing my pictures..They just sit nice and pretty inside my computer for me to see when I blog...LOL.
    ReplyDelete
  11. I really love the Story of a Lifetime and all the frames are wonderful. Your frame looks great.
    ReplyDelete
  12. I have this weird thing about not liking much on my walls. I like little clutter in my entire house and that includes on my walls. But I really do need to get more pictures up on the walls. Wish I could afford to hire someone to decorate for me.

    Nell
    ReplyDelete
  13. I love the All-Terrain Tripod. How cool is that?

    To hang pictures, I trace the shape of the frame on paper first and hang the paper with tape to decide on my layout.
    ReplyDelete
  14. I love the hall gallery frame set. I am hankering to get some photos hung up but first I need to paint. This weekend we are finishing the shelves in the kitchen so I can finish in there and paint the living room.

    Love the frame & I love the prints you picked for it.
    ReplyDelete
  15. Love Red Envelope! I would get the personalizable glass photo bookends for my husband for our anniversary. We have SO many books, and it would be great to have something personal to break up the monotony of books1
    ReplyDelete
  16. Oooh, I love your new frame set. If I were looking for frames, I think I might just go for the same one. But the thing that caught my eye right away on the website was the family necklace. How sweet is it to have a pendant that represents your family?!? Too bad they stopped with three kids, though. :)
    ReplyDelete
  17. I just finally got many of our photos and artwork up on our walls last weekend...and we've been in our apartment for over four years now, so I can completely relate to taking photos but never displaying them.

    I love the frames, especially the collage groupings, but I have to say that if I could buy anything from that website I'd get the "Story of a Lifetime" book. I'd love to give one to my grandmother...what a wonderful, priceless heirloom that would be!

    And my picture-hanging tip? Trace your frames onto butcher paper, cut them out, and hang the paper rectangles on the wall. Then live with them for a day or two, to be sure you like the placements, before pounding nails into the wall!
    ReplyDelete
  18. I am out of wall space for frames. :/

    I really love the murano glass bead bracelets but I would probably never wear them even though they're absolutely beautiful. I really love the family growing kit though...the girls would love that!
    ReplyDelete
  19. I LOVE the jewel bud vases! I've been eyeing them for awhile and it would be great to win this so I could get them :)

    I love your photos by the way, the colors of the frames are really great too. I like how eye catching they are.

    Happy Thanksgiving!
    ReplyDelete
  20. I love the Hall Gallery Frame Set! Beautiful!
    ReplyDelete
  21. OMGoodness..I have never heard of them...my husband says thanks...for the amount of money I may be spending in the next year there! I love the enchanted growth chart and the hall gallery frame set...well any of the frame sets. Your pics look great btw...and like you I need to print out some pictures of my lil guy...I have it on my radar to do after we move.
    ReplyDelete
  22. The red his and her longjohns are awesome! What a great thing to wear on Christmas Eve~
    ReplyDelete
  23. They look great Steph! Doesn't it feel GREAT to have them up?

    My tip would be this:
    I have a collage frame (4 prints)
    that I put favorites in from that season. Over the years what I've ended up with is a great collection of images as I trade them out 4 times of year. It's super easy to slip them into an album since the work of printing them is already done.

    Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
    ReplyDelete
  24. Your photos look great there!

    I really like the family necklace...it's beautiful!

    And...I'm awful at hanging frames and usually use a laser level...even then sometimes I get things crooked.
    ReplyDelete
  25. I too love the Kaliedescope one you have or the deluxe wall gallery frame.

    Great pics, Steph! You say you are not a professional photographer but I think you take the most amazing photos.
    ReplyDelete
  26. I take a gazillion photos, we have VERY few hanging up of the kids


    Domain registration india
    ReplyDelete
  27. Well, I was going to be the first person to reply, but then I stepped away from the computer.... Dang, I never get to be first! ;) Anyway, I LOVE the beer holster...I totally had to laugh at that. Actually, I like the family necklace or the growth charts.
    ReplyDelete
  28. I'm bad at printing out pictures too. I just have thousands and thousands sitting there waiting to be printed and scrapped or framed. I really need to do that!

    I am a fan of Red Envelope, have been for many years. I really like this book they have called Story of a Lifetime. Great gift idea!
    ReplyDelete
  29. The pearl hook earrings! I love pearls. They are my birthstone :)

    Steph-- my very best tip for hanging photos is to get photo ledges like this: http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=1435&f=14773 (I don't use those, I just quickly googled an example). I actually get mine from IKEA.

    The cool thing is you don't have to put tons of holes in your walls, because, come on, who positions the nail right the first time?!? You just have to hang the shelf and that's it. Then you can change out the pictures as often as you like. Change sizes or add other art work (I have some paintings on one of mine) or anything! They are so fun.

    Here is a link to one of the shelves in my living room: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Or7_v3T1lvc/SwXBO_KXkUI/AAAAAAAACVE/u4RuY6EQSto/s1600/DSC_0041.JPG It actually changed after I took that picture. We now have a 11x14 photo of our wedding in the middle.

    More tips: I went to IKEA and bought a bunch of frames in different sizes. That way, when I find a picture I like, I can throw it in a frame and stick it up on the wall in 5 mins. It's SO easy. And you don't have to commit yourself to a picture for eternity. Just one you like. Then, next time you get a new picture, just swap them out in the frame and put it back up on the ledge.
    ReplyDelete
  30. I too have thousands of photos that could be covering my too bare walls! I love these frames and so many others that they have!
    That's a great idea to enlarge the photos and crop, thanks for sharing and Happy Thanksgiving!!
    Hugs,
    Heidi
    ReplyDelete
  31. Okay, weird, my second link got cut off. Just scroll own through this post on my blog and you can see it: http://www.theunlikelysbuyahouse.blogspot.com/
    ReplyDelete
  32. Red Envelope is one of my favorite places to shop! I really like their Envirosax bags, but I'm drooling over the new Mom's Flower Garden pendants. *swoon!*
    ReplyDelete
  33. Your photographs look lovely - I never ever print mine out either... I have one granny that begs me to print them out but I just never ever get around it... and yet yours look so cool... You make me think I should take the leap!!!
    ReplyDelete
  34. That is very fun! love the colors. U dont have to be a "professional photographer" to be an artist!! you do a fantastic job taking pictures of your family and loved ones. I love seeing your pics on flickr. Enjoy it! and im sure u will agree, that camera was worth every penny for those memories ;-)
    ReplyDelete
  35. I'd probably get the wall gallery frames too. I print my photos a couple times a year and put them in albums. It feels so antiquated to do that, but I know I will appreciate it later.
    ReplyDelete
  36. I LOVE the frames you have on YOUR walls- that's what I want, please, please, please.

    Happy Thanksgiving Stephanie!
    ReplyDelete
  37. I like the deluxe baby keepsake kit.
    ReplyDelete
  38. i am guilty of the same thing, taking tons and tons of pics and never printing them. we actually had a fabulous photo shoot done in july and i have yet to print one picture from that fun day! if i am chosen i am all about the deluxe wall gallery frame, that is what i would choose. i would put the pics from our photo shoot in it!!! i love it! what a fun site!!!
    ReplyDelete
  39. Any of their frames!!

    Thanks - Heidi P.

    h.polcaster@sbcglobal.net
    ReplyDelete
  40. Those pictures are gorgeous! I have started decorating with our own photos too, and I LOVE it. Memories all over our walls :)
    ReplyDelete
  41. I definitely need some frames to hang up some of our wedding and engagement pictures! I've only put a few up so far and we've been married almost five months.

    Plus I'm your most favorite blog reader Steph!
    ReplyDelete
  42. I love the paint- your-own ornament. My two oldest sons are so into "projects" and this would be PERFECT for them!
    ReplyDelete
  43. mljuel@yahoo.comNov 27, 2009 08:37 AM
    I love the color in the kaleidoscope wall gallery frame. I too am guilty of not putting up my pictures. I have big rubbermaid containers full, so some frames would be awesome! Thanks for the encouragement.
    ReplyDelete
  44. Love what you chose! Would look so nice in a hallway!

    You have the cutest kids!!!
    ReplyDelete
  45. I love their wall gallery frames. I am guilty of having a bunch of mismatched frames on every available surface, and I always wish I had done it different. My son will be one in two weeks, and I just last week finally printed out nearly his whole life's worth of photos!! I have a baby coming in Feb., and knew if I didn't do it now, who knows when it would get done?
    ReplyDelete
  46. I think I like (oh, it's tough to choose!) the elephant ring holder! Great giveaway. Thanks for the chance!

    (Happy belated Thanksgiving to you and yours.)
    ReplyDelete
  47. I love the wall gallery frame. Thank you for the chance to win!
    ReplyDelete
  48. Our 3rd wedding anniversary is coming up in December. The "reasons i love you stones" would be perfect!!! Love your site!
    ReplyDelete
  49. I love the hall gallery frame set. I think it would look great in my house, but what I really have my eye on is the hidden message tag necklace. I think it would make a great gift for my husband for Christmas this year, but the price is a bit out of my reach now that we have three kids. Love your pictures!
    ReplyDelete
  50. Cool frames. I'd ove to get that.
    ReplyDelete
  51. I love the handprint canvas kit - I'd love to see this hanging in our home. Love it!

    afrugalfriend (at) hotmail (dot) com
    ReplyDelete
  52. I like the stacking rings!
    laurenisrocknroll at hotmail dot com
    ReplyDelete
  53. why do i never print pictures. i've got to get it together with that. and just tonight we thought we might start hanging the few things we'd like to...but then the house is quiet and it feels better to just sit. =)

    i love pretty serving accessories, so i like all the cubist serving sets.
    ReplyDelete
  54. I could so use this wall gallery.
    ReplyDelete
  55. I could so use this wall gallery.
    ReplyDelete
  56. Ok, the beer holster!!!!! No probably not, but it is hilarious. I would pick the stacking birthstone rings.
    ReplyDelete
  57. I love the sculpted jewelry catchall. Thank you so much for having this contest. It looks like your family had a wonderful thanksgiving.

    Bri
    ReplyDelete
  58. Choose one thing? Ha! I love the quilts and the frames and the playmats and the baby robes...
    ReplyDelete
  59. I'd love to get the Story of a Lifetime book for my grandfather-in-law. He's always got so many stories to tell and--sadly--it seems as if no one that lives close to him wants to listen. We only see him on holidays as we live far away but at least this way he'd know someone cared to hear his story!
    Betsy
    ReplyDelete
  60. I am guilty of the same crime. Not printing my pictures!
    ReplyDelete
  61. I am also really bad about printing stuff off, I think it is the downfall to the digital movement!

    And I have my eye on the pajamas that say "my first christmas" on them or the personalized baby photo frame with the hand and foot print!
    ReplyDelete
  62. Heather HowertonNov 28, 2009 02:20 PM
    I have my eye on the keepsake vows box. It would be awesome to get to keep all the keepsake from my wedding.
    ReplyDelete
  63. We've been doing the same thing here. Not professionals-but take 100s of pics of our kids-never to print. This weekend we framed and hung a bunch.

    I love that hall frame set at Red Envelope.

    I wish I had some tips. My husband is the math wizard that figures out the exact place to hang everything.
    ReplyDelete
  64. I love their jewelry... And I love how they package everything - so elegant! I would likely get a piece of jewelry. Thanks for doing this giveaway!
    ReplyDelete
  65. I think the all terrain tripod is super cool. I like the frames you've picked out and the way you fill them. Nice.
    ReplyDelete
  66. I've never heard of Red Envelope. :) I like the hall gallery frame set (with the black frames, I'm partial to those.)

    I'm ordering prints as we speak. Have been working on photos allll day!
    ReplyDelete
  67. I am a sucker for the sweet little birthstone/mother pendants. I love them.
    ReplyDelete
  68. I love the hall gallery frame set. I would love to have that for the most recent set of photos Beth did!
    ReplyDelete
  69. I've always admired their jewelry - I would get the "loving arms" necklace with 3 (woohoo) small pearls on it!
    ReplyDelete
  70. I love the eternity pearl necklace, so pretty! Your photos look great- way to go!
    ReplyDelete
  71. Ooh, what wouldn't I like? I love the hall gallery frame set. We are just starting to put pics up after living in our home for almost a year. This would be perfect!
    ReplyDelete
  72. I'm liking the gallery frames - the Kalediscope and the Hall Gallery ones - those are pretty awesome!
    ReplyDelete
  73. I love that Kaleidoscope frame! The colors are so happy and the pictures you chose are just perfect. For myself, I would have a hard time choosing between the Kaleidoscope frame and the Handprint Canvas Kit.
    ReplyDelete
  74. love Red Envelope & I would get some frames & use that encouragement from you to print up some pics! :)

    heatherneroy@gmail.com
    ReplyDelete
  75. That looks like a beautiful way to frame of precious memories!! I have had my eye on the hall gallery frame set for awhile now:)
    ReplyDelete
  76. There were several necklaces that were beautiful ... mothers eternal love, embrace love but I really like the year of seeds kit!
    ReplyDelete
  77. I've had my eye on one of those gallery frames for several years now. LOVE the new colorful one. Considering it's the holidays, I'd probably get a bracelet for my best friend.
    ReplyDelete
  78. I love the necklace with the peas in a pod. I have twins I think it is so cute.

    denise_22315 at yahoo dot com
    ReplyDelete
  79. Neat store! I like the hall gallery frame set and the handprint canvas kit.
    ReplyDelete
  80. I love Red Envelope, it would be so hard to choose...either one of their mommy necklaces, birthstones, etc or the frame for your children's hand and foot print. I had it for my son but I never bought it for my daughter.
    ReplyDelete
  81. I love the frames, too! Especially this gallery frame set: http://gifts.redenvelope.com/frames/hallgalleryframeset-25385203?viewpos=2&trackingpgroup=rchbg&tile=hmpg_podCD
    ReplyDelete
  82. I LOVE Red Envelope!!

    Any of their gallery wall frames...lots of their jewelry birthstone circle pendant...SO MUCH!!

    Id be greedy and spend this on ME!!
    ReplyDelete
  83. I really have no advice on picture hanging. I pretty much leave that up to the hubby because I ALWAYS make them crooked! haha.. Anyway, I love the cuddling mats from Red Envelope - especially the puppy one!!
    -Jen
    JenLu1703@msn.com
    ReplyDelete
  84. Ooh! The jewelry tree would suit me!
    ReplyDelete
  85. Crossing my fingers - I LOVE Red Envelope. One of my favorite sites ever. xo Thanks so much for the chance. Love your pictures too.
    ReplyDelete
  86. I have been wanting the book locket bracelet. My great grandmother gave me a locket that she wore as a child. I wear it often and remember her and my grandmother. My grandmother is on the inside of the locket. I have a 3 month old, and I want to have a pic of her. I named her after that grandmother "Ella". I think it would be cool to have 4 generations of memories as I wear the bracelet and the locket together.
    ReplyDelete
  87. This comment has been removed by the author.
    ReplyDelete
  88. i love the hallway gallery set -- i have so many pictures to frame!
    ReplyDelete
  89. love their lockets and family necklaces
    ReplyDelete
  90. I love the Birthstone Rings. They have the best variety of high quality products! Thanks for the chance to win.
    eclaireham at yahoo dot com
    ReplyDelete
  91. I absolutely love the kaliedoscope frame you purchased and oddly enough had my eye on it too.
    so cute and i have so many pictures of my daughter i could put in there.
    Thanks!!!!
    ReplyDelete
  93. I'm guilty of the exact same thing, it's so terrible!

    I love the way your frames look, great shots.

    I think the hall gallery frame set would rock.
    ReplyDelete
  94. I think I'd get something for my mama. Probably a silver locket or maybe a frame?
    ReplyDelete
  95. I am in love with the garden necklace as a gift for my MIL. She is so invested in the happiness of our whole family and cherishes every memory she makes with my kiddos. Plus every single year, she gives me something garden-related as though she hopes I won't kill it, so I'd love to give her something she'd really love on all counts.

    http://gifts.redenvelope.com/gifts/momsflowergardennecklace-30003967?viewpos=24&trackingpgroup=rjewl
    ReplyDelete
  96. I'm always a sucker for market bags or totes :)
    ReplyDelete
  97. I actually have wanted these frames for quite some time for some old photos I have of my Grandparents. Also, a Red Envelope Catalog came today! I love that site!
    ReplyDelete
  98. I could written this paragraph: "I take lots of pictures. That's no secret. But, I'm guilty of never printing them, never putting them in frames, and never hanging them on my [embarrassingly] bare walls."

    I'm the exact same way. But I'm getting better about it.

    Cool frame, by the way. You take so many spectacular photographs. They deserve to be on display. :)

    stephanie@metropolitanmama.net
    ReplyDelete

Your comment is gonna totally make my day!

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...