For years, I’ve been telling myself I would print some photographs, get some really eclectic frames to put them in, and together, with my wife, we would update the office and add some new photos to our family tree of memories. We decided once and for all to make some photographic keepsake memories of our dog.
How to Get Started on Print Memories of Your Dog
If you are anything like me, finding the time to actually decide on printing photos of your dog, then doing it, going to pick them up, and finding frames seems laborious—and never seems to get done.
Dog food got me started: Sounds odd, but it’s true. A few months ago, I discovered the new line of dog food, Ideal Balance® Crafted, from the folks at Hill’s®. They make it the way you would, except I am a terrible cook, so Hill’s makes this food the way folks with amazing cooking skills with make it: artisan style.
Even the packaging reflects the goodness inside.
I’ve always wanted to be one of those people who whipped up a meal for their dog, made from scratch, and could ooh and ahh at the amazing result. Alas, this is not meant to be. There are, however, projects I can do from scratch, more or less, and so can you.
Creating Photographic Framed Memories
Remember the days of taking images on a 35 mm camera, dropping the film off at the store, then racing back a few days later to pick up the prints? My friends and I would spend time in the car, flipping through pictures that would later end up in touch me- feel me photo albums.
Those days seem to have gone by the way side.
Feeding my dog the Crafted dog food as treats during his nighttime play with games, I was inspired to create something that made me feel good but that included the dog.
Dexter says, “Let’s play the treat game, Mama!”
Here are some tips on creating photo memories and keeping the images of your dog safe:
Organize Digital Prints Into Folders
I am a pet blogger, so I need easy reference to the thousands and thousands of dog-themed photos I take on a regular basis. If you are a pet parent, consider organizing your photos into themes. For example: Summer, play time, holiday, bath time, etc. Got the idea? Label the e-folders and store them on a backup drive and/or in the Cloud or some other backup service.
File under CC for Cocker Cuteness.
Take Time and Plan Projects
Your favorite canine images are celebrations of life, so why hide them on your phone or hard drive? Since the folks at Hill’s are inspired to create Crafted with detail and in small batches, I applied that same principle to some dog-inspired images and prints.
The part that took me the longest was that of selecting frames. I scoured frame websites, craft supply stores, and end-of-season sales as we ebb from summer into fall. My wife got involved and ordered a gorgeous heart-shaped framed print of many of the best photos of me with our dog. I cannot begin to express how much I cherish this piece:
Themed Rooms
Perhaps you have a room, a wall, or a space in your abode that is the perfect spot for showcasing your love affair with dogs. For me, that room is my home office. Dogs live such short lives compared to us, so I have a love wall (or two).
Here are some of the inspired prints in my office: Feel free to borrow these ideas for your own pooch prints:
Dexter nestled into a smaller frame with bling!
Dex loves his cows, and here’s a cute end of season sale frame we found at a huge discount.
Pooch Pawprint
My friend, Colleen O’Fallon of Sweet Paws Bakery in Florida, includes doggie art projects into her daycare services for pooches. She is incredibly clever in the different “take home” gifts the dogs give to their moms and dads when it’s time to go home.
Depending on the season, all this takes is some craft paper, markers, stickers if desired, and a non-toxic paint to dip your dog’s paw into for printing. Imagine giving a cherished keepsake like this to a friend, family member, or co-worker of their dog’s pawprint. Colleen does them for so many occasions with her daycare guests. You can even self-laminate the finished paw-roject and frame it as a fun and cherished gift.
Dogs can be a budding Paw-casso with this homemade print fun gift: for yourself or a friend.
Adorable for Valentine’s or Mother’s Day or just because from the dog.
Getting Started and Inspired
If you would like to try the line of Crafted products for dogs, here’s a $7 off coupon to help get you started: http://blogp.ws/1I4Nx1v
More Dog-Related Crafts
If you want to make a special miniature project featuring your dog, here’s a fun craft from Toni Ellison:
How does your dog inspire you? Do you keep any print photos in frames?
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