I’ve had a shockingly odd amount of ideas for our guestbook. As is the trend lately, none of them included an actual book.
The initial idea was to have people sign around a picture that would eventually be framed. It wasn’t going to be one of Foxy and me, though; instead, I have a print by an artist named Kurt Halsey that I absolutely adore and thought would be just perfect.
Image via Art Star
So cute, right? But I wasn’t *quite* sold. Almost, but not entirely.
Then I thought something akin to the Quaker marriage certificates might be nice.
Images via the Merriment blog
I especially love the one on the right, but I still wanted a bit more. I must admit that I have been secretly loving the fingerprint trees that seem to be so popular as of late.
Via Etsy shop Love From The Thumb
Then, in one of my daily searches on Etsy, I saw something a bit different…it was still a fingerprint guestbook, but it evoked a certain fantabulous Disney Pixar movie.
Via Etsy shop bleu de toi
Up, anyone? I mean, I just love that movie, and I love the idea of using it as a guestbook. My only issue was not wanting to spend upwards of $60 on a print that I just might be able to reproduce and get printed at Kinko’s for a third of the price. So try and DIY, I did.
First and foremost, I printed out the clearest picture I could of the Up house—this actually happened to be a photo of the real life version of the house that was built in Utah.
Image via The Awesomer
Next, I took a sheet of velum and traced the image twice: first with pencil, then with a black marker.
Since it was looking kind of…rough…after the pencil and even the marker, I decided to scan it into Photoshop and touch it up a bit with the eraser tool. A few adjustments and some added text later, I ended up with this:
I’m actually a bit surprised at how reasonable it looks…I was a bit wary after I finished the pencil outline with all the smudgies and wavy lines and such. But, as if you didn’t know this already, Photoshop seriously does wonders. All it needs now are the balloon strings, and then I can bring it to Kinko’s to be printed out on a yet to be determined sized piece of poster paper.
The thing is, I’m in desperate need of your help. I’m afraid that, to quote Cher, “(it’s) a full-on Monet…from far away, it’s OK, but up close it’s a big old mess.”
What do you think, hive? I’m sure no one will really be analyzing this all that much, but should I keep going with the DIY route? If I do…is black and white good enough or should I try and get fancy and color it in?
Scan the original colored picture into photoshop and then white out the color and darken the remaining lines. Much cleaner.
I like it, and I think you did a beautiful job!
It looks like you need some help from someone with Adobe Illustrator to turn it into a vector file. Ask your bees — I’m sure someone can do it! 
I remember there being a magic wand tool in photo shop that selects all similarly colored areas – you just use that, select all the black, and then do a bucket fill and it will make everything solid black lines.
I love this idea! So cute and inspirational I’m excited to see the finished project.
I second Ellie.. . Select everything by highlighting hte house with the square rectangle tool then go into the top toolbar and click “select” “color range” and click in an area of the house that is black. Before the preview is on “selection” and adjust the fuzziness accordingly. You can also then click on “Select” refine edge and you can smooth the lines a bit. Then make black your foreground color and do “edit” fill color and fill with foreground color.
I love how the house looks a little like your venue! You should color it in like the Inn!
Honestly, if you’re going to frame it and keep it in your home forever…is that not worth $60? I’d vote buying one. I know, I’m the only one who votes for that.
I think it looks great! Better than anything I could have done. And I love that it’s the UP house!
I think you should plop down the $60 to the artist whose work you love. Let him/her profit from the work they created, rather than DIYing something you don’t like as much. After all, you want to hang this in your home *forever*.
@Lone Star – you’re not alone! I love that you did this yourself, but second thoughts like this may mean you want to splurge and spend the $60.00.
BRAVO, Foxy! We were a fingerprint tree duo but *almost* opted for the floating house. Your guests are gonna love this!
Honestly, I think it’s perfect (but I’m a fan of Monet)–the “imperfections” are what make it perfect IMO.
Also, I think this is AMAZING for a guestbook.
Another way to do it if you don’t have photoshop and/or don’t know how to use it is to put the original pic in power point and use the line tool to rebuild over it, much like Mrs. Hibiscus made her wedding map: http://www.weddingbee.com/2007/05/04/diy-invitation-map/
I think it’s amazing and the fact that you did the legwork is even more special. I would never spot the imperfections you are seeing…great job!
I bought our thumb print tree from Bleu de Toi, and honestly? It was WORTH the money (including the rush fees since it was a last minute purchase) and justifiable since we have a lovely piece of art hanging on our wall to remind us of our wedding.
I totally love hearing all your opinions and advice on this!!
@bunny: I wish I had access to Illustrator myself! That was my original plan until I remembered that I no longer own it. 
@Ellie: I feel like I tried that but didn’t have much luck.. I also should have mentioned I only really have Elements and not full on Photoshop.. I’m sure that it doesn’t have all the features of the full version.
@futuremrsbrunell: The problem is that there is no black on the house itself, if that’s what you’re referring to.. since it’s not clipart but a real house, the outline is not “definite”. Does that make sense? I’ll definitely fiddle around with it though.. thanks!
@peachplum09: Omg. You’re a genius. I didn’t even think of that. Now I’m wishing I traced the venue instead!! Hmm… 
@Lone Star, @Miss_Manda, & @bpechnyo: I definitely hear what you’re saying, but I also feel like I can make something I love more than the Etsy print for a fraction of the cost. I actually kind of like what I did, but I love hearing your opinions as well! The inspiration print, if you will, is a bit to ornate for me, I think.. I like that, in drawing it, I have more control!
@phoenixandstars: Ohh interesting tip, thanks!
Mrs. Fox, Washington DC/Havre de Grace, MD Age and Occupation: 26, Massage Therapist Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Field Support Engineer Engagement Date: April 18, 2010 Wedding Date: June 2012 Venue: Vandiver Inn About Me: I’m a dancer turned massage therapist who was born and raised in New York. Alas, true love has brought me “south” where I still maintain my penchants for pretty shoes, wine, crossword puzzles, cherry blossoms, and the Mets. I own more sunglasses than a normal person should and don’t eat red meat (though I make up for it by eating my weight in sushi). I tend to be a big planner who likes to get things started early, but generally end up being indecisive and procrastinating when it comes down to it. I have a (not so) secret crush on Chris Carrabba, but my loyalty and love ultimately goes to the future hubs, of course! Together, my Foxy man and I love to discuss (read: debate) politics and current events, have Mario Kart and Scrabble duels, and just laugh. A lot. We’re hoping and planning for a laid back, fun, summery, rustic vibe to our June wedding that will be genuinely “us” – that is, if we finally make some decisions. Huzzah!
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