We are pleased to welcome Inger from “Uppercase Living” who is here to share a gorgeous home decor project that will showcase the love of your family beautifully! Take it away, Inger!
Hello amazing HDS readers! I’m excited for this invitation to be a contributor on this popular blog!
Like many of you, one of my passions in life is to create! As a graphic designer, I get the opportunity to design inspiring vinyl lettering expressions for Uppercase Living. Vinyl lettering is not only a beautiful way to decorate a home, but it’s also a perfect way to communicate beliefs, family values, and reminders of what’s important in life.
As a mom of two awesome kids, one of my main parenting goals is to make sure they feel loved. So in my home I have carefully chosen words that will inspire and teach my kids what matters most.
One of my favorite quotes is, “Time spent with family is worth every second.” Because I work from home a lot, my laptop or phone are always in front of me! It’s so easy to just nod my head and keep working, while my kids come into my office to talk to me.
Lately I’ve tried to make a conscience effort to stop working, look them in the eye, and take time to really listen. As I’ve talked to friends, I’ve learned it’s a problem a lot of us have! So it seemed fitting to take this quote and create some beautiful designs, as reminders to live in the moment!
I’m excited to share them with you on this blog today!
Time Spent With Family Clock Expression
Installing this Time Spent With Family Clock Expression is a sure way to get compliments! Changing the pictures out periodically freshens it up and provides a fun way to use the thousands of pictures we take each year! Here are just a few ideas:
- New Family Pictures – Display all your favorites from your family photo shoot for friends and family to see.
- Halloween – Remind the kids of all their adorable Halloween costumes and fun times trick-or-treating!
- Thanksgiving and Christmas – Welcome friends and family during the holidays by putting up pictures of them.
- Birthdays – Show off that adorable baby that’s growing up too fast!
- Vacations – Remind the kids of all the fun times you’ve had as a family.
This clock is really fun, but installing 12 frames can be intimidating! Good news! It’s actually really easy to do, because I’ve come up with a way to do it without needing to measure! Yea!!
Here’s what you’ll need:
Supplies
1 Business card cut to 2” x 2”
12 – 4×6 frames (My favorites are the RIBBA frames from IKEA. They’re simple, contemporary, and chunky!)
7 Command Velcro picture-hanging strips
Poster mounting putty (Most of us call this “blue sticky stuff” – I know because when I googled that, the real name came right up! J)
Laser Level (optional)
Time Spent With Family Clock Expression (Uppercase Living item #21810)
Clock Hands Kit (Uppercase Living item #21201)
Step 1
Everyone has a business card somewhere in their house and fortunately they’re all the same size – 3.5” x 2”. Just measure 2” and cut a perfect square.
Step 2
Using the 2” x 2” business card as a spacer, layout the frames on the floor. I like to do this first, because it gives me an opportunity to visualize it on the wall and also decide where it’s going to look best.
Here is a diagram which makes it super easy to know how to line up the frames and where to use the spacer.
Step 3
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve put a hole in my wall in the wrong place, so Command Velcro strips are a lifesaver!
Since the backs of these frames were narrow, it worked best for me to cut each command strip in half. Snap two pieces together, cut, and attach one side to the frame. I put my strip on just a little bit lower than the top of the frame, to make sure the Velcro didn’t show. These strips make it really convenient for switching out pictures. J
Step 4
Put putty on the back of your spacer. This is SUPER helpful, because it allows you to focus on getting each frame in the right place and level.
Step 5
When in doubt, hang something lower than higher! A good rule of thumb is make it eye level. The best way to accomplish this is to start with the 6:00 frame. If you’re installing the frames above a piece of furniture, the bottom of the 6:00 frame should be 6” – 12” from the top of the furniture.
Once you’ve decided on the exact position of the 6:00 frame, remove the paper liner from the strip and attach the frame to the wall. I recommend holding the frame in place for a few seconds, to make sure the strip adheres to the wall. As you begin to install the other frames, work clockwise until you get to 12:00. Then repeat on the other side. You can use a laser level to line up the frames, if you desire.
Step 6
Assemble the clock hands kit and use a Command Velcro strip to install.
Step 7
Cut the vinyl lettering expression in half and install it above and below the clock hands. This expression is a great choice, because its classic font works with both contemporary and traditional decorating styles.
I love how this turned out!
Time Spent With Family Clock Frame
I’m excited to share this next idea I came up with! It’s a perfect way to give the millions of round wall clocks a much-needed update! Now the average wall clock from Target or Wal-Mart can be a unique piece of art that is inspiring and beautiful!
This 22” wide clock frame is unique, because it is one of Uppercase Living’s new 2-in-1 expressions. The bonus expression can be used in another area of your house or put in a frame! (Uppercase Living item #21782)
Below is a 1-minute video showing how easy this clock frame is to install!
Thanks for letting me share these fun ways Uppercase Living can make your home unique and remind you that time spent with family really is worth every second!
Just for HDS readers, Uppercase Living is offering 20% off ANY of our clock expressions and clock frames, September 29th – October 4th. To purchase click here and use promo code ULHowDoesShe. {Search #UppercaseLiving on Facebook and Pinterest, for more clock ideas.}
http://uppercaseliving.com/Shopping/
Search #UppercaseLiving on Facebook and Pinterest, for more clock ideas.
Inger Erickson is a wife of 20 years, mother of 2 active kids, and the founder of Uppercase Living. Together, she and her husband have pioneered the vinyl lettering industry. She is an avid exerciser, Jane Austen fan, loves the art of lettering, and is a Sharpie marker addict. One can never have enough markers!
Julia says
What a great idea! Love it! 🙂
Anne says
LOVE the clever tips to space the frames for the clock – smart and frugal! And what fun ways to change the photos to celebrate the seasons of our lives! Great blog, Inger!
Diana says
Wonderful idea! Love the different suggestions for changing the photos throughout the year! Great!
Beth says
LOVE -love -love the message of this clock and the great way to use/display it! Wonderful, Inger! Thanks for sharing!
Elaine says
What are the total dimensions of the completed clock? I have a small accent wall and would love to use this!!!! Thanks!
Inger Erickson says
Elaine — The clock is 40″ x 42.5″. You can make it smaller or larger, just by changing the size of the “spacer.” 🙂
Jenni says
Love the family clock and the idea to put different pictures around it for different occasions or events. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!!!
Judy says
LoveloveLOVE this super-easy technique! Genius!!
Michelle Larsen says
Cool video – so clever about the round clock frame. Would love to see more of your ideas!!!
Tiffany says
I have one of these hanging up in my living room already! Everyone loves it when they see it. I wish I would have seen this post before I hung mine though. The directions are great and the idea of the command velcro tape is genius!
Marlena Courcahin says
Love your creativity Inger!
Brooke says
Super easy to install.
So fun!
Allison says
I love the clock and the installation details! Thanks, Inger!
Richard Ward says
awesome idea……………Y…o…u………R…o…c…k
HELEN says
Hi do you post these to the uk, and can i buy the set with the clock and hands ? Thanks
Jean says
I have shipped to the UK, Australia and several European countries.
Keish says
Great! Is this a sticker or does it need to be transferred from transfer paper?
Julie says
They have backing paper as well as a top layer. Very easy to apply! See the clock application video above to see what I mean. 🙂 My clock just came yesterday. Can’t wait to put it up!
Sonya says
If we do this with 5 x 7 frames does the spacer need to be a different size?
Candy says
Nope. 🙂 But the frame size will affect the overall diameter of the circle. Make sure to lay it out on the floor first to get an idea of the size. Does that help, Sonya?
AnaSousa says
Me encanta tu idea del reloj , yo suelo comprar vinilos para decorar mis paredes esta tienda ya que te deja hacer los textos a medida y con el color que quieras http://goodvinilos.com/es/160-decorativos-textos-y-frases
Delia says
hello, if i do this with 5×7 frames, should i increase the letter size and clock mechanism to the next size up from what was used here?
Candy says
Hey Delia! The complete clock kits come with the larger font size and look great with 5×7 frames. Let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks!
Delia says
sorry one more question, is the clock mechanism a working one?
Candy says
Yes, the clock is a complete working mechanism and only requires one AA battery.
Renae says
What a fabulous idea.You are so creative. 🙂
I really wish to try it out myself at home. I was wondering how I can go about getting the clock mechanism that you used (I live in Europe- Malta) or whether you could tell me the measurements of the round centre piece and clock hands too. I tried ordering the clock hands on ebay but it arrived much smaller than it was suppose to. Im so eager to get this clock up and ready. It will be perfect in my new house on my family room.
Sharm Poulos says
would like to know where to get the Clock Hands Kit (Uppercase Living item #21201). I cannot find it anywhere and would like to know where to purchase the clock itself with hands. Thank you.
Candy says
Hey Sharm! You can order the clock kit from any Uppercase Living demonstrator’s website. To find a demonstrator near you, go to UppercaseLiving.com and click “Shop Now”. Let me know if you have any problems or questions. Thanks!
Jeanmarie Danieu says
LOVE the clock and the easy to follow instructions! Such a great idea!!! 🙂
Jeanmarie Danieu says
UL’s “Time spent with family…” clock kit is on sale for 2 days only: Nov 12-13, 2015. Go to uppercaseliving.com to see this special offer, find a demonstrator and ORDER ONLINE.
Tara says
I have been in love with this forever and I am finally doing it this week. I will be using 5×7 frames (that I found from the Dollar Tree, SCORE!). I would love to know what length the hands are on the clock, though. Thank you!
Candy says
Tara, here are the clock measurements. Let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks!
Clock mechanism measurements: Hour hand: 8 Inches, Minute hand (including tail): 16 inches, Minute hand (to center of mechanism): 10 ½ inches, Both hands together (at 6:00): 17 ½ inches
Vrushali says
Hi, this photo clock looks gorgeous.
What is the total height and width of this photo wall clock please?
Thanks
Candy says
The clock shown in the pictures is 40″ x 42.5″. But, the overall size is dependent on the photo frames that you use. You can also vary the size by using a smaller or larger spacer. Does that answer your question?
Sherry Deiter says
I bought the saying and mechanism a couple months ago. I want to place the pictures vertically as well as diagonally. How can I do that?
Jeanmarie says
My blog post has several photos with frames hung vertically as well as diagonally. Click here to view photos: http://experienceuppercaseliving.blogspot.com/2013/09/time-spent-with-familyis-worth-every.html
Angela says
i love your photo clock idea. I noticed that you stated where to buy the picture framesfrom IKEA but didnt mention where to buy the clock or the decal “Time Spent with Family is worth every second. Can you please let me know where to purchase the items not mentioned above?
Carri says
where can you purchase the vinyl lettering now that Uppercase Living is no longer in business? Can you provide the font type and sizes for a “do-it-yourselfer”?