Above is my husband and I looking quite colonial. Join the American Revolution with this fun take on silhouettes!

Independence Day is just around the corner! Paul Revere couldn’t just snap a pic of himself with his iPhone while riding and then Twitter about it; those in the late 1700s and early 1800s who wanted likenesses and keepsakes of their loved ones commissioned art silhouettes of themselves.  I love silhouettes. They have become uber popular in recent years with many modern forms, including the family dog! Here are some of my modern silhouette favorites: 1, 2, 3.  These modern takes are fun and fresh allowing a personal touch be delivered in a clean design form; but for Independence Day,  I love the historical context that the Revolutionary period of hair and clothing styles communicate, especially during the month of  July. But who wants just anybody’s stuffy old silhouette sitting on your mantel?  So, for this no fuss craft, we are making your family into sons and daughters of the American Revolution! You and the kids will get a kick out of seeing your face connected to old fashioned hairstyles.

Here is what you do:
1. Paul Revere and George Washington may not have been able to snap a picture, but we can! Line up your family for profile shots.  The rest of this project is easier if the photo is taken with a plain light colored background.

2. Download your pics and our pdf of Revolutionary style hair for Mom, Dad, Brother and Sister.

3a. If you are computer savvy: Add your photos to the pdf, resizing and positioning as needed. This is easier if done with a photo editing software. If using Photoshop: Open the picture. Use the Magic Wand tool to select the background. Once clicked, it will be outlined and highlighted. Go to ‘edit’ and click ‘delete.’ The background will disappear. Select the face silhouette with the Magic Wand and then fill with black.

If you are NOT computer savvy: print the photos and the pdf separately.  Then tape the photo to the hairstyle and then photocopy. Color in the face with a black marker, taking extra care with the detail of the face. Then photocopy onto quality cardstock.

4. I labelled my silhouettes with the Jefferson font for a true 1776 feel.

5. Save as a jpeg or take your photo copy to print at your local photo developer in the desired size.

6. Mount your print in a frame. Sit back and enjoy being part of history this Independence Day!

Want more inspiration for the Fourth of July? Check out these other NFF posts:
Star Spangled Ice Cream Sandwhiches
A Salute to Cupcakes!
A Salute to No Fuss Berry Flag Cakes!
No Fuss Entertaining Berry Cones

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