April 2020

How To Create a Beautiful Image Backdrop
Do you love to take quality pictures and video content? Have you ever found yourself trying to take the perfect photograph for your Instagram feed, but your background looks a mess? Maybe you’re a blogger/ vlogger trying to record a video but your shower curtain is photobombing you because that’s the only space where you can create. You could be trying to take the cutest photo of your kid for a special occasion without wanting to pay a photographer for backdrop services. Photography services can be expensive!

Having backdrops can really enhance your photo and video aesthetic value to your digital content. That’s why professionals like photographers and videographers rely on them so heavily! You, too, can have your very own backdrop sis! What’s even better is that you can make a backdrop yourself, saving money on future professional photography services forever. Woohoo!

So, I hopped on Pinterest to search for ideas for photo/video backdrops and backgrounds. I soon learned the basic essentials of making a flower wall backdrop! This was a great idea, as people use flower walls as backdrops for weddings and baby showers. Pinterest makes everything seem so easy!

Materials Needed for Backdrop

Here’s a list of all the materials that I used to create my Sunflower backdrop wall. The grid panel frames I got from Amazon. All flowers were ordered from eFavor Mart.

Disclaimer: LIFE + STYLE with Kris receives a commission for using Amazon products for the projects that I share in posts. Although I receive a commission for using and linking their products, they are extremely good for my projects. All opinions and suggestions are unbiased.

10-Pack Grid Plant Wall Frames ($25.99)

Hot Glue Gun + Glue Sticks ($9.99)

Push Pin Tacks ($5.99)
- 252 Pcs- Chocolate Artificial Mini Carnation Flowers – $14.99/ea
- 6 Pk Ivory and Cream Assorted Size Paper Peony Flowers – $10.99
- Natural and Cream Assorted Size Paper Peony Flowers – $10.99
- Light and Dark Yellow Assorted Size Paper Peony Flowers – $10.99
- 144 Ct. Ivory Paper Mini Flower Roses – $3.99
The steps that I took to building my Sunflower wall actually were as simplistic as Pinterest made it seem to be. There really aren’t many steps involved in building a backdrop BUT it is time-consuming. I could have completed this in less than six days and you may be able to finish it in a shorter timeframe. However, I was not in a hurry to complete this project. I wanted it to turn out beautiful and honestly, I had so much fun making it!

Build Your Panel Frames

I used the beautiful chocolate carnation flowers as what I call my “base” color. The panel size dimensions are 19 x 14in. and require a lot of artificial flowers. There are over 100 pegs to fill! To fill them, simply attach the stem of your artificial flower to the peg on each panel frame. I used nine-panel frames for my backdrop. I originally wanted a combination of different carnations (chocolate and cream) but made a choice to forego it. Buying flowers in bulk can be expensive!

TIP: Think about what color(s) you will use in great detail. The more color you want, the more money you will spend.

Gluing Paper Flowers

If you choose the perfect flower, you may not want to add additional details. I added white paper roses to the center of my carnations for a 3D look. Using a hot glue gun, I glued the roses to every other carnation for each panel frame.

TIP: If you are fine with the flower you’ve already used, then you can easily move on to attaching your panel frames to your wall.

Place Frames on the Wall

Designate your space/area where you will build your frames. I used a wall in our home office because that’s where I go to create most of my digital content. I used thumb tacks to pine each panel closely together evenly.

TIP: Building a full wall is great for full body images. If you are going to use your backdrop for mainly selfies/headshots, you should use fewer (roughly six) panels.

Continue Adding Embellishments: Peony Flowers

The last task for me to execute is adding peony flowers. They arrive flat after ordering, so I had to fluff out 12 paper peony flowers before attaching them to the frames. Each peony has a clear string hook that makes for easy attachment. I love that they also came with peel-off adhesives! I should have ordered more of these (probably will go back and buy more).

Backdrops are easy to do!

Overall, I would rate this project 5 stars on how easy it was to make this. I will most likely continue to embellish with more peony flowers in the future. What is unique about this project is that it’s universal–you can use it for anything! You can easily take it apart and build it again and again for any occasion to add beautiful and amazing detail to your images.

Watch my YouTube tutorial video below to see how I made my beautiful backdrop for less. Please like and share this post if you’ve enjoyed learning how to enhance your digital images. Subscribe to me on YouTube to watch more tutorials and follow me on Instagram to see me share images using my new backdrop!
Social Distancing: Self-Care & Keep the Faith
The world has been under stress while trying to remain calm in the midst of chaos. The arguably most infectious virus, COVID-19, continues to sweep the nation indoors! If you’re outside, social distancing is required. I have been following the frightening headlines from February to the present day, and you know what? I’M TIRED!

Two weeks ago marked the last time I punched a time clock, the last time my son would see his friends and teacher, and the first time that I was forced to distance myself from the outer world due to safety and health concerns. Our old routine as we once knew it is no more. Additionally, I’ve had to get innovative to keep sanity and normalcy and to keep from spiraling into a depression.

The thing about home is that this is our resting place, our “safety net”, where we come to take a break from the things we do every day. Now our home is home to Miss Mama’s P-4 Academy, the Buchanan YouTube GYM, and our updated version of “The Office”— minus the paper sales. All of these headquarters reside right in our forever-transforming living room.

Social Distancing Activities

Miss Mama’s P-4 Academy was created to keep Landon sharp on his writing, tracing, coloring, and reading. Every morning (Monday- Friday), Landon and I begin classwork after breakfast–around 8-9 am. First, we tackle the task of tracing and writing his name. Mary’s Little Lambs, the school Landon attends, put together a packet of schoolwork to keep kids busy and on track with the curriculum. The packet consists of writing, coloring, counting, and matching skill sets.

Landon practiced writing his name, coloring, and matching opposites.

Landon practiced writing his name, coloring, and matching opposites.

After classwork is completed, Landon has the option of going outside to play in the front yard or taking a walk in the neighborhood. He always chooses to go for the walk first and we later go back outside in the afternoon. The walk is usually no more than a block or two and we come back home. The rest of the afternoon is dedicated to free time, usually after a well-needed and deserved nap.

TIP: Flashcards have been our latest game to encourage the spelling of words. We also have alphabet letter magnets on our refrigerator that we use to also encourage spelling.

More Quarantine Activities

Afternoons are for taking care of important business in “The Office”. Usually, I get started around 2-3 pm, and that time consists of working strictly from my laptop or phone. I make my own schedule and this is a benefit to building my brand. I get more time to create content, engage with and build my audience, and commit to a more consistent writing schedule. This will last until about 7 pm, and then I start transitioning into retiring for the day.

Self-care time with Que Bella Beauty products!
Hydrating Pineapple Peel Off Mask/ Intensive Foot Sock Mask both left my skin feeling rejuvenated!

Self-care is important and I believe in it. Last week, I gave myself a mini facial and a foot mask all while still managing to fit in family time! However, every self-care activity I choose to do is different. It depends on how I am feeling that day.

Yesterday, I did a 25- minute Hip Hop Workout right from my living room TV. Sometimes I choose to rest and simply “be still”. Additionally, I choose to avoid the internet for a few hours to shut out all the noise. Moreover, I’ve been watching more TV than usual due to all the extra time I’ve got on my hands now. Below is a list of all the movies and TV shows that I’ve been watching while being in the house.

Binging TV while Social Distancing

NOTE: This list is subject to be updated at any time

Although it appears I’ve got it all figured out, I’m really just winging it. There are really only three keys to making it through quarantining and social distancing, with the main one being following through.

Stay at home and practice social distancing only in essential situations (going to work/ grocery stores). Remain optimistic and positive! This is an obstacle but just like any other, we can and we will make it through. Furthermore, find the silver lining to what social distancing has forced us to do, which is be still, healthy, and take care. Creativity will lead the way if you allow it. In times of boredom, it’s amazing what your mind can create.

Check out more ideas for quarantining and social distancing:
Comment below and tell me what you’ve been doing during this time. I’m looking for new ideas! I want to share these experiences with you all.