These pretty portraits are so “Jane Austen” and also happen to be so easy to make!

Supplies:

• Black Card Stock Paper
• Small, Sharp Scissors
• Clear Tape or ModPodge
• Side-Profile Picture
• Picture Frame or Wood Plaque
• White Pen, Pencil or Crayon

Depending on if you are planning on framing these or ModPodging them onto a wood plaque – your supply list will vary. I chose to ModPodge onto painted wooden plaques from the craft store (under $2 a plaque).

The first step is to take a side-profile picture of your child (or pet). The lighter the background wall, the easier cutting it out will be.

Next you will print out your picture in black and white on regular printer paper. Make sure you are printing the picture the correct size to fit inside your frame or on your plaque (the pictures seen above are about a 3×5 size).

There are 2 ways to do this, but the outcome is the same. And in both cases, you will take a pair of small, sharp scissors and carefully cut out the profile picture. Pay attention to the details! You don’t want to accidentally cut off those adorable whisps of hair or those pouty lips – the little things matter most here! Traditional silhouettes typically end right around the shoulders and can be cut straight across or cut in an upside down “u” shape.

Option #1: Laying your printed picture onto the black card stock paper, trace the profile. I like to use a white pen to trace, but regular pen or pencil would work as well, it’s just harder to see as you cut.

Option #2 (as seen on The Kelly Clarkson Show): Laying your printed picture (picture side up) onto the black card stock paper, tape your papers together. Cut out the outline of the profile picture.

I ModPodged the card stock onto the plaque and I love the result! Although framing in a mat would definitely be a simpler and quicker option.