HOW TO make Barbie prints

Now that we are wrapping up the girls’ bedroom (the big reveal will be posted soon!) I needed some art for the walls. 

I was recently at Hobby Lobby, again, gathering supplies for a project.  We were heading to the checkout line and I was feeling defeated with the finishing touches of their room.

I didn’t want something “manufactured” that you would find at a big box store.  I don’t like cheesy or bright colors, yet it needs to be youthful and fun.  And our budget is also slim to none … as usual.

This is a tall order.

Then I saw this!

It was one of those “angels are singing” moments.

Barbie + fashion + perfect colors + beautiful images = happy me!

This is a calendar by Robert Best, former Project Runway contest (even bigger plus!) and it’s just fabulous!

I bought the $14.99 calendar (with a 40% off coupon!) and Bella and I went through all the images and picked our favorites to frame in their bedroom.

Next I needed a way to display the images.  Originally I thought we could use reclaimed wood and make frames or boards to hang the prints.  Then I realized our "To Do List” is overwhelming and buying ready made frames (with glass!) would simplify our lives.

So I made a quick trip to Walmart and found their 11x14 Mainstays Oak frames with multiple opening mats.  They were less than $5 each … which was perfect because we needed six.

They weren’t very easy on the eyes so I took them home, removed the glass & mats and mixed up some custom white chalk paint.  I use approx. one part Plaster of Paris mixed with one part hot water.  Then I add approx. 3 parts latex paint.  This is perfect for this project – no sanding or priming needed!

I painted two coats of paint on the frames and let them dry.  Then used my sanding block to distress the edges a bit.  I applied a coat of wax on my frames and now they’re done!

Using an Xacto knife I cut apart the calendar at the folded seam.  We measured and cut all mats to frame the images selected and assembled.

Since this is made from a calendar you have to “hide” the holes at the top of each image.

I did this by cutting small squares of the background color from a page I didn’t use and taped it to the back of the image.

Once the images are framed you can’t see the hole unless you look closely.

The set of six Barbie images are perfect for the girls’ bedroom! 

Bella keeps telling me they are “beautiful” and “amazing”.

Remember this concept can be applied to any series of images you find & adore!  Good luck with your project!