Motivational Posters

The minute I pinned this image of Neil Patrick Harris, I knew I wanted to use it in some way.

I love him.  And I love this.

So I decided to use it, along with other sayings I had pinned, in order to create some fun posters of my kids.  Since we just started school on Monday I thought this was the perfect time for them to get a little boost in their confidence and take the new school year by storm!   I also needed to switch out the giant posters I had of Elle & Spencer in my Ikea Ribba frames (for her shower)... it was starting to look like we were a little obsessed with them.  :)

Anyway,  using Photoshop Elements, some digital scrapbooking papers and some photos I snapped of my kids a couple of weeks ago after church, I made these!

Eeek!  I love them!

I love the color it added in the family room!  Not to mention the adorable faces.  In case you can't see them very well because of glare (there's no getting around that in there, sorry), here are the digital images.

   

Here's What I Love:

1.  My kids think they are awesome.  My 2nd son, Tanner, keeps reading his out loud ("The only thing that keeps me going is how brilliant and amazing I am.") every time he walks in there.  Hey, if he gets that stuck in his head and believes (knows) that he is, in fact, brilliant and amazing then all the better!

2. At $8.99 each from Costco, this was such an inexpensive way to bring some fun color and style to the room.  I could choose whatever patterns and color palette I wanted.

3.   There are many ways you could do this!  Smaller format, vinyl lettering, scrapbook paper, cut out photos (like, literally cut... like, with scissors) and paste them on.  These could really be fun works of multi-media art if you wanted!  If you do it my way, it requires minimal Photoshop skills.  If you have any Photoshop experience, give it a shot!  

Basic Photoshop Steps:

1. Open new "blank file" in desired size (mine are 20x30, 300ppi).

2. "Place" digital scrapbook paper of your choosing and resize to fit background.

3. "Place" photo of child and use the Erase tool to erase any background of that photo you don't want.  I erased everything but their heads and shoulders.  Make sure the "layer" of that photo is selected over the the right as you erase so you aren't accidentally erasing the digital paper!

4. Add text as desired.

5. When it's all how you like it, "flatten" image and save as a jpeg.

6. Upload to your favorite photo lab for printing!  (I always use Costco)

Hopefully this inspires you to make something motivational with either your mad Photoshop skills or crafting skills!

PS Don't forget to enter the Massive End-of-Summer Giveaway HERE!  There will be 50 winners! Check it out!

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