okay for all of you following along with me, today is the day to post your before picture on your blog. if you dont have a blog, take a before picture and put it somewhere you can see it a lot. for motivation. for those with a blog, you can then post a link in the comments here if you want!
here are my before pictures:
the first one was taken obviously before the frames were even up. see them in the bottom right?
and the second was taken the night the frames were hung by my amazing brother in law jason. he did it for me since neither i nor jeff have the know how for such things like perfectly level photo frames in a perfectly spaced grid. or the laser level that jason has. or the patience. we just hand it all over to him with a smile and hope that our company and jokes are worth it.
since then, i have filled the frames with two photos. my project this month will be to finish the rest.
deets:
frames are from ikea
they are 19 3/4 X 19 3/4
i have my photos printed at my pro lab
idea to buy and hang these frames came from the lovely erin vey, a hugely talented doggie photographer in the pacific northwest.
now, go forth and OPAM!
74 Comments
I love those frames!Mine aren’t that big, but I have a whole wall with 15 to fill. Maybe I can catch up with you!
WHOO yeah OPAM!! I’m bloggin’ along with ya! http://elviskitty.com/2008/05/its-bird-its-plane-no-its.html I also love the frames. Sadly I live nowhere near an Ikea…
I’ll go do that right now! happy May Day!
Thank you for the info on those frames and photos. I have been wanting to do something like this! Thanks for your inspiration!! Shelley
These are awesome! I am wondering though? ALL black and white images or really awesome TARA colour or a mix of both?
oh.. and if i work on my jokes.. could Jason please come to Aus and help? LOL I am trying to do a grid and remember the last time I did it.. Mmmmm wasn’t fun and took HOURS..LOL
I am thinking of using the RAM frames from Ikea.. and the strips from Command/3M.. they give you a lil room to move… and we like that!
Good luck on your project!
Hey Tara—
Looks great, can’t wait to see the after photos! Quick question for you…which pro lab do you use? Is it a local place or an online place?
Thanks for sharing!
Trina
OH MY GOODNESS I am looking for 15 x 15 frames with a 10 x 10 opening!! I cant find them anywhere…. I want them for the center of my long wall like 3 of them with my sons feet, a cute picture I got of his hands and tummy, and a close up of his face all in black and white but I CANT FIND WHAT I WANT!!! I am going to IKEA.com to see if they have what I want now?? you probably dont know me but I love your photography and follow your blog!!
what is the name of the paint on your walls? love it.
hi tara. would it be rude to ask which print lab you use? thanks in advance.
Can you please let me know the name of the frames you bought from Ikea? Thanks in advance!
Love your wall o’ pictures!! I have tons of pics to print… I need to catch up my photo albums!! For my May project I’m starting small… making the quilt that was supposed to be done before my now 8 month old was born! http://www.katrinaelizabeth.typepad.com
(I meant to get that info about your printer last week, for that panoramic, can you post the info?)
Your closet inspired me so much I plan on repainting my scrapbooking area this weekend! I just loved that color you used. It’s just so juicy I can’t stand it. I love the frames you put up on your wall. I can’t wait to see them with pictures in them.
Here is a link to my blog and the pictures of the before of the room.
http://scrappinjenny.blogspot.com
Blogstalker here coming out of the woodwork!
I think I’m going to jump on this idea of OPAM! Oh, and for Karidan, Ikea does have frames like that..they have a 11×11 opening though. I got 4 for a wall, here’s the frames I got: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30109782
You are amazing. Your photograpy, persnality and even your decorating sense! What a beautifl and unique house! While you are at it… go ahead and put a picture in that GORGEOUS green picture from on your side table;)!
trina-color inc pro lab
K8theriver-paint is “spanish olive” by benjamin moore
loupy-they are just called clips!
I love your idea and think your house looks so pretty. I have a couple of questions and sorry if someone already asked because I didn’t read other comments….anyway, do you print the photos as 19 3/4 x 19 3/4? Do labs do that? or only professional labs? Is it expensive? I live in OC, what lab do you use? How often will you change out the photos (every few years or never?)….just curious.
Such a fantastic idea, I am truly inspired. Joining in - http://www.heidifaziophoto.com/blog. Thanks Tara!!
how often will i change? likely, um…never. hahahhahaa. but i have the best of intentions-thus: OPAM
heidi-i couldnt post a comment to your blog but wow-your kitchen is GORGEOUS. i am a bit jealous! love the style of it so much.
Yay, I’m so excited for OPAM. I am hoping it will get my unmotivated butt in gear.
Anywho, my May OPAM is organizing my scrapbooks and photos, converting everything to 12×12 etc.
Here’s the link to my before…
http://pinkpolkadotdays.blogspot.com/2008/04/one-project-month-may.html
Here is my “little” OPAM: http://www.keylimecutie.blogspot.com
girl… i’ve had this idea. kind of like your closet. … for a long time. i bought chalkboard paint last year. LAST YEAR. i wanted to paint my basement door with chalkboard paint. shouldn’t take long. one YEAR! last night - i did it! i will have to post a link once i am done with the trim. it’s rocking. and the best part? i found out quite unexpectedly, my soon to be three year old knows how to write Momma. all on her own! ALL OVER THE DOOR! how friggin inspiring is that? love the new site!
I have MANY blank walls that I just blogged about! I can’t wait to see the rest of this post for inspiration!
Here’s my big project!!!
http://betsyandjohn.net/blog/2008/04/27/blank-slate/
Bloggers, feel free to send me some ideas. I’m thinking mixed media. My photography, friend’s photography and other art peices. HELP!
I don’t think this really counts, but it’s definitely a before picture. Though I’m not actually doing the work myself, it “should” be done by the end of the month (I hope!)
http://faydean.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/04/what-a-differen.html
love ‘em. can’t wait to see what they look like completed. i bought tons of the 5×7 IKEA ones and had planned to collage them on a wall-two years later they’re still packed up. way to go & loved the closet too, you must feel so great, getting all this stuff done. i really believe that things shouldn’t just function, they should look great doing it. keep inspiring!
Thanks for the motivation, Tara! I posted my before pictures today on my blog. Fun!
I love the closet project. I too have a “thing” for pretty closets though I wasn’t as daring as you with the hot pink paint.
http://aqueenintraining.blogspot.com/2008/01/project-closet-reno-completed.
html
I would like to play along with the projects challenge and have posted some of my after photos http://aqueenintraining.blogspot.com/2008/05/what-i-did-finish.html
Thanks for the big kick in the butt. I can’t wait to see what everyone else is doing.
Well guess what? As per usual, I DIDN’T read the directions and screwed up. I’ve already posted my after photos. Oh well, for once I’m ahead of the game.
I am starting off with a big bang–my four-year-old and new baby’s new room. Now that I’m no longer pregnant, I don’t have an exuse! http://www.nonsuperwomanchronicles.com/memoirs_of_a_moorings/2008/05/bring-it-on.html
I could not decide on the many projects that need to be done around our house on which one to actually start with. I am going with my youngest step-daughter’s room. It has become a catch all for all. Although I am embarressed on just how bad of a catch all that it has become, I am posting pictures of it before I even touch it. That way I will know just how far it came in that one short month. If I know me, it will have paint wet on the 31st of this month! haha http://staceed1975.squarespace.com/blah-blah-blah/2008/5/2/opam-may-2008.html
I have been wanting to do this too. Can’t wait to see the pictures. Are they gonna be of all your kids? Anyone not having Ikea, I noticed the other day at MIchaels that they had some pretty nice 12×12 frames. Now if I can get my act together, I have so many empty frames waiting for pictures.
looking back at the pink closet I can see a corner of your wall and one of your sons photos framed. that looks so good and I cant wait to to see the final.
That is an awesome spot…love that red chair and that worn table. Looks very inviting!
I am one step ahead of you here…I noticed in your closet pictures the one of your son and was like “OH WOW…” because I just knew there were large fun prints!!! Gorgeous!!!!
this is JUST the push I need to get my wall started!! THANKS!! I will take a before photo this weekend & put it on my blog! then it will be another week b4 my first frame comes to get started but I am ANXIOUS to get started! THANK YOU!!!
I don’t have a photo, but I did make it my mission to put together a special container of craft supplies for each child to have at camp. We start camping this weekend, so maybe I’ll be successful in capturing an image of them using their crafts. They were really so very happy with the surprise box of crafts… it reminded me of how something so little feels so big, inside and out. Thanks for the inspiration!
HI Tara
LOVE your posts and your work. I can’t figure out how to subscribe to your blog- is that possible to do with your blog? thanks!
Christie
tara thanks for the inspiration!
check out my “one project of the month”
yeah!
Here’s mine: http://kimboyajian.blogspot.com/
I’m excited!
It’ll help motivate me to get these types of things done!
Love the pink closet and the pic frames
Can’t wait to see your finished result!!!
Hugs!!!
I looked online and they won’t ship those frames! Can you believe it? I noticed you have some extras in the floor. If you want to get rid of them, I will take them off your hands and pay for the s&h too.
Hi Tara! I just wanted to share this link with you. I remember you posting how this accident impacted you last year, and it was so life affirming for me to see it all come full circle.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/coble-children-born-2031842-lori-ladera
Happy Friday!
We just did this in our house. So funny. Used different frames from Ikea, but same concept. Way to go.
Wow! I feel a little star-struck getting blogged about from you Tara. Seriously you and Jeff are hilarious and you know how much I love to do projects for folks, especially the two of you. I can’t wait for the next opportunity to help with an OPAM.
I don’t have a blog, so no before picture, but I want to play! I bought several big giant rub-on quotes three months ago that are still rolled up in their nice little bag, waiting to go up on the walls in my house. I *will* put them up this month so I can enjoy them!
Thanks for the kick in the pants, Tara! I can’t wait to see your after photos!
I’m in! Thanks for the push….I blogged my “before” (well sort of) http://www.lisadamrosch.typepad.com
Your website is fabulous & fun
From your photography to your adorable house,what an inspiration you are!! (I want your pink closet!!) Ok..so I’m loving your picture frames from Ikea,however my problem is that I don’t live near one so I’d have to order them and their now showing up on their website. Do you happen to have a UPC number (or any code) that I could give them to look it up?
Posted my first opam: http://picturepoets.com/blog2/ Nothing like a little public accountability to kick ya in the butt to get something done, eh? Thanks for the inspiration, again!
I have before pics on my blog - http://donnamichellefowler.com
Your closet was so inspiring and just so darn cute that I made my downstairs closet the star of my first OPAM. The before picture can be found here http://www.thebakerfam.blogspot.com/2008/05/thanks-for-push-tara.html Thanks for the kick in the butt!
Yay I posted the before of my first OPAM! Very excited to get this done. http://wordsofaprocrastinator.blogspot.com I’ve had a great time looking at everyone else’s too. Loving OPAM!
thanks for the inspiration. keep it coming! we just got a need place and need to about one million projects in one month.. my before prictures are such a sad sight…
Hi Tara,
Your wall is going to be awesome. Coincidentally I finished a photo wall, or walls actually in our kitchen just recently. They are all photos from our shoot with you last summer. I will have to take pictures soon and email you. I have your photos here and there throughout the house. I’ve received so many compliments (or YOU have received so many comments I should say!) I think if you ever did a travel session to Houston, you’d have no problem booking clients! Love your new site!
I just went to Ikea and bought these very same frames (just different dimensions) becasue I was inspired to fill the big blank wall in our master bedroom by your first OPAM closet post! I’m using a pic I took while at our ranch in SD over the summer….it’s the most spectasular veiw of the Missouri RIver. I’ll take an after pic as soon as I get the photos hung.
Thanks for the inspiration, Tara!
I went and got my frames yesterday! Thanks for sharing your wall. I can’t wait to see the pics in yours!
Hey Tara! Hope you are having a fabulous weekend! I can’t believe tomorrow’s already Monday…the weekend just flew by…Anyway, here’s my completed OPAM for May: http://kimboyajian.blogspot.com/
Can’t wait to see how your wall of pics turns out!
I did a collage of various pictures/frames as you walk up our stairs…Will have to share that in a post some time! It’s probably the favorite part of my house!
Hugs!
Hehe! We discovered the same thing in January on a road trip to Mystic.
http://hereweblogagain.blogspot.com/2008/01/happy-44-steven.html
(4th photo down).
Glad to know i’m not the only one who sees this!
Sam
This is such a great idea Tara, I so needed the push, thank you!
Have posted my OPAM for the month http://www.carrieyoung.typepad.com & have found one for June already too (doesn’t take much!!) Thanks for the inspiration & motivation! x
i am sooooooooo going to IKEA tomorrow. Those frames are just…yeah, I’m going to IKEA.
Tara once I searched Ikea’s website for ‘clips’ instead of ‘picture frames’ I found them (re: recent post asking you about the UPS code):) Last weekend I did a super quick project,something I’ve been wanting to do for a while. I pleased with how it turned out. Pictures aren’t that great,but you get the idea. Thanks for the OPAM encouragment. We’ve lived in our house 1 yr and I haven’t had time or motivation to do very much. I do have alot I want to accomplish so I’m using your OPAM push to get things done around here. My daughters room is the only thing that has been ‘done’ for a while
http://www.roliecackos.blogspot.com
Ooh, I love that green picture frame on the side table! May I ask where you found it?
So inspiring! At least I only have four frames to fill at the moment. I am going to try now.
Here’s mine…I had fun!!
http://borror.blogspot.com/2008/05/opaw.html
OK, so my OPAM for May is to finish a project I started a little over two months ago while 9 months pregnant ~ to repaint and redecorate our 1/2 bath just off the kitchen. Here’s where to find it:
http://lizbutler.blogspot.com/2008/05/opam-may.html
Thanks for the inspiration and the extra bit of motivation needed to get off my butt and get going.
Does anyone know where I can print a 19 3/4 by 19 3/4 print???
i started with an easy project. i sewed a drape to cover my husband’s closet… he just throws things in there so now i don’t have to see the unorganized mess.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yohutch/2476312312/
I managed to bowl over my cupboard this weekend in one day. Still a few finishing touches to be made but here it is http://angelahiggins.com/blog/?p=146.
I have a pile of those ikea frames at my place too just waiting to be filled. I’m still not sure what I want to do with them.
Hi Tara,
Just came upon your blog - beautiful work. Love the idea for OPAM - I’m always looking for new ways to motivate myself to conquer new projects and especially to get files off the computer and onto the wall (for myself and not always just for clients!).
Jade
I did it! I completed my project of the month [two if you count the light!]My project was a giant wall-art hanging for my dining area - and I love it. Brings me a little happiness each time I walk by or see it reflected in the mirrors in the room. TFL - J
I ended up posting my before and after pictures in one post because I was in the mood to do it so I just did it yesterday. Thanks for the inspiration and motivation! (Click on my blog link to see my project - I can’t copy and paste here for some reason - go to the post called seriously? - Thanks again!
I love your idea of the wall of frames - especially because I know you will have beautiful photographs to grace the frames. You are so talented. I found my way to your site from Kelly McCaleb’s blog. I love her creativity and often wish I was her! She is a super talented woman too! Anyway - I am commenting on your blog because my husband and I are both creative souls re-modeling a 1930’s house. I thought you might like the before and after shots of rooms we have done. My husband is an architect and gets to use his creativity regularly. I am a science professor yet my hobbies are quilting, crafting, and baking. I wouldn’t work if I didn’t have to and I would LOVE to be a professional home-maker, but haven’t found a way to make that happen yet. I am always inspired by women that have and want to learn from you. I emailed Kelly and told her this a while back. It is definately in my five year plan to do something with my artistic side as my next job - I am a good learning if you guys are willing to share your sucess secrets!!
as i was scheming about what i need to do to finish i realized that i hadn’t posted my befores…thanks for this tara, i’m already thinking about what i’m going to do next month:)
before link: click at your own risk…
http://emilyruthwonders.blogspot.com/2008/05/ole.html
this is way out of order - posting before and after the same day -
but it’s a start!
http://woolforbrains.blogspot.com/2008/05/opam-part-1-i-was-supposed-to-post.html
What a small world it is! I am friends with Erin Vey up here in the Northwest, but I found your website thru Kelly McCaleb in Utah.
I love this idea of how to post pictures on the wall. Kelly took a lot of amazing pics of my son, now I have an idea of how to hang them!
Do you have these mounted to styrene? or just straight prints?