Tuesday, September 2, 2008

A Humble Picture

Recently my daughter enlarged a photograph for me. It's a picture that she took a few years ago while in Argentina. The photo is of a row of homes. The first home belonged to a family that she knew. I love this picture for several reasons. It represents a time my daughter spent far away from home, serving strangers she grew to love. It's also a reminder of some very important life lessons, that she learned, that helped shape her into the incredible woman she is.
I wanted to frame the photo to give it the importance it deserves.
I measured my picture and bought a large frame with a double mat. I always buy my frames from thrift stores and give them a coat of spray paint to freshen them up and make them look good as new. I thought I'd try a spray paint makeover on the mat board too. I carefully took apart the double mat, and sprayed the frame and the inner mat black. The larger mat got a coat of heirloom white. When everything was dry I put in the photo and reassembled everything.
It looks like I spent a lot more than just two dollars for this piece of art.

There's another reason that I love this photograph so much. It is the perfect picture to show that it only takes a few lovingly placed items to turn even the most humble of houses into a home.

This beautiful picture stirs my emotions and
reminds me that I am truly blessed.

54 comments:

Decor To Adore said...

What a beautiful and poignant reminder to be thankful for all that we have.

Our Paper Plates said...

Hi - I've been reading your blog for a little while but haven't commented. I'm a little blog shy :) Anyhoo, I love this picture! I served in Argentina too so viewing this picture brought back all sorts of beautiful memories for me! Oh how my heart longs for Argentina! Thanks so much for reminding me of some of the best years of my life and people I love and call family through your post! :)

Twice as Nice said...

I love that photo. You're right it can be quite the converstaion piece. One small picture speaks volumes. It's beautiful and beautifully framed.

Rachel said...

I like this post because it shows the talents and gifts of a daughter and a mother all in one. :) It makes me happy.

Valarie Lea said...

I have wondered about painting the mats in photos. That looks great. :)

Tausha said...

great picture! So glad that you posted it-it's a great reminder for all of us of how blessed we really are, well at least for me it is!
thanks for making my day a little brighter by helping me remember what is most important in this life~

Georgia Girl said...

What a beautiful pic! Just palin and simple and a home. You know we all know that a home is whatever you make it and someone made it the way they could which I think is the best part. Hoem sweet home! Such a lovely pic.

Miss Looney Tunes said...

gorgeous! I'm planning on doing something similar with a few pictures i took in mexico.. some landscape & some missions.

Vanessa {Bloom Right Here!} said...

There certainly is a lesson in that beautiful picture. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Sue said...

A beautiful post!! This was a wonderful reminder of how much we do take for granted....I did not know you could paint mats. This is a beautiful picture.

Empty Nest Full Life said...

It is definitely a beautiful picture, and a beautiful reminder of how blessed we are. My husband has been to Nicaragua and Honduras several times, and he says though they have so little there is so much joy in the lives of believers.Our hearts should be filled with gratitude daily. Jackie

Lift Up Your Hearts said...

Oh, that is SO cool.

joelandbecca said...

so beautiful. So simple. I love it.

Kristy said...

Beautiful result - and it does look like a piece of art!

I'm glad you mentioned this around spray painting mats - I tried several months ago to paint (acrylic craft paint, with a foam brush) a mat with horrible results, but now I'm thinking that the problem was that the mat was too thin (it was from one of those less expensive museum-like, contemporary frames, and not as thick as a typical mat).

Now I'm seeing all kinds of possibilities - thanks!

frillsfluffandtrucks said...

I agree--very poignant. Great job on the frame and mat makeover too.

~ Sarah

Michelle said...

Beautiful story and picture!

nikkicrumpet said...

Amazing the impact a simple picture can have on your outlook of life. It makes you realize how blessed you are. It also shows that no matter how humble your home is...you should try to make it the best it can be. I never would have thought about spray painting the mat! What a great idea. The whole project turned out perfect!

To The Moon and Back said...

Hi Joy! I love your blog. Thank you for all your creative and amazing ideas. I have a question about picture frames. Our home is Mediterranean in style, mostly earth tones with dark woods (no black chucks!). I have lots of picture frames I inherited from my parents when they downsized, but they are gold which I am not fond of. I want to paint them, but not sure what color, do you have any suggestions?

Thanks!

Shannon said...

So beautiful!

Carry Grace said...

That is a beautiful photo.

Alma Don Shurtleff said...

Thanks for a wonderful way to start the Fall season as we all have so much to be thankful for. Every couple of days I take a few minutes to look at your blog. I am serving in Bogotá, Colombia where my husband is the CCM President. Before that we served 3yrs in Quito, Ecuador. Your daughter's pic looks like places in either Ecuador or Colombia. I love the feel of your blog. Thank you!

Trixi said...

We are all truly blessed indeed. Thank you for sharing.

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

Hi,
I didn't know that you could spray paint the mat ..thanks that will save me from buying new ones and I think your picture turned out beautifully.
Warmly, Deb

cherry said...

Beautiful Joy...and so poignant. Thank-you for the reminder. cherry

Lady Dorothy said...

No wonder this picture means so much to you! We all love it and we aren't the photographer or her mother!

A beautiful picture with a life-changing impact. And you have displayed it wonderfully.

M.L. @ The House of Whimsy said...

What a great makeover project and even greater story. Very poignant.
We need reminders like this every day.

I just posted the "Big Reveal" of my daughter's new stenciled french walls. Come take a peek if you'd like.

Mary Lou @ the house of whimsy

Mrs. B said...

Hi Joy! I love the sentiments that go along with that photo. And your frame makeover is great. Spray paint on a mat? Whoda thunk it!

Ashley said...

Almost everyone in my family served stateside. The picture turned out beautiful. When I see things like this, I can not believe I ever complain about anything.

trish said...

So glad that you shared this image. It stirs my emotions too and is a good reminder to never take for granted our blessings. A simple roof over our heads and meals on our tables for our families is like royal living to some. Thank you again.
Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne

Cottage Rose said...

What a lovely post and a wonderful memory to have close to your heart.
You did a great job on the frame and matting.
Have a great week.

Hugs;
Alaura

Nichole said...

Very great post. A picture can say so much. I left you an award on my blog today :o)

Blogger said...

Joy, what a truly beautiful piece of our world, thank you so much for sharing that with us. I know I tell you this all of the time...but I love that and I would buy that if it were a print. You should sell some on etsy.com and if you do, please let me know! :)

I used spray paint on a digital photo for my blog today, lol, I thought of you of course ;)

Bella

Buzzings of a Queen Bee! said...

I love what you've done! So simple and easy! And the photo itself is so neat.
Carrie

Shell in your Pocket said...

When I was in a one bedroom apartment to now...buying a simple spring bouquet made the "living space" just as special! Little things can make and area cozy and "yours".

Thanks for sharing...love the frames and painting! Do you stay up all night thinking of these wonderful things???

-Sandy Toes

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

A Great Remake.

The Beauty Bargainista said...

Wow, that is really something. It stirs up a lot of emotion!

Angie said...

Beautiful picture and wonderful how you gave it the respect it deserved.

Creations from my heart said...

I enjoy your blog. I am passing on a few awards. Please check out my blog to receive them. Blessings...

Mona said...

What a beautiful photo. I love houses and truly believe they have a soul. I always say to my husband, "I just love my house!" I knew immediately upon seeing it that I would live here. And, yep, sure does look like way more than $2.00! Good job. Thanks for sharing. Mona

Mona said...

What a beautiful photo. I love houses and truly believe they have a soul. I always say to my husband, "I just love my house!" I knew immediately upon seeing it that I would live here. And, yep, sure does look like way more than $2.00! Good job. Thanks for sharing. Mona

Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam said...

My niece spent the summer in the Amazon...shared pictures very similar to this. How powerful.

Unknown said...

It IS beautiful!

Jeremy.Celeste said...

What a beautiful picture your daughter took. Thanks for helping me remember how much I have to be thankful for.

Kate The Great said...

Wow, that's beautiful...

Kathryn said...

What a good idea, Joy, to paint the mats! I have two frame photographs that I'd love to hang in my living room, but I've been waiting to re-mat them in a different color. I think I'll try to paint the mats I already have!

Wednesday blessings ...

(Love the photo, by the way!)

Kacey said...

That is a beautiful picture thank you so much for sharing. It's great message to be very grateful for everything we are blessed with.

Ms. Tee said...

AI love that your daughter captured the flowers on the shelf in her photo. Thank you for sharing this lovely post.

Darlene - Our Creative Life said...

I enjoy your blog. You have great ideas. I just started a blog tonight....wish me luck. It's all new to me. Please visit when you get a chance.

Robin said...

wonderful story! I've revamped some frames the same way and it's a great feeling!

Jennifer said...

That is a great picture. My husband served in Argentina as well, although he barely has any pictures. That picture is awesome.

@TiffanyRom said...

That picture has me all teared up.

Unknown said...

Amen. Beautiful sentiment, beautiful photo, beautiful framing.

Rich Angie said...

LOVE this photo! My bro is leaving for his mission to Salta, Arg on Nov 12. Where did you daughter go in Arg?

Gale said...

Oh NO...I've been throwing all of those mats out..What was I thinking.

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