1: Get a digital photo of the mom-to-be, as high quality as possible. If the baby's already here, get a photo of the newborn.

2: Purchase Modern Digital Photo Mats Templates, Series 1.

3: Decide what size frame your m-t-b would like in her nursery, and what color and/or style. The size should be 8 X 10, 11 X 17, or 12 X 12. Purchase the frame and a Sharpie. You can choose the Sharpie color based on the color of the mat; for example, dark blue or raspberry, instead of black.

4: Look through the Patterned Digital Paper, and/or the Solid and Linen Digital Paper, and select the mat color or pattern. Don't forget it needs to be subtle, so that the best wishes are very legible. A linen in a soft color, even a neutral like Wheat, is usually a good choice, although you can compliment the nursery color scheme with a contrasting color.

5: Since there is a narrow white border around the photo, you can also choose a Solid Digital Paper for the border, or leave it white.

6: When you've downloaded your selected background and/or border color, follow the directions included in the Modern Digital Photo Mats Templates. These directions are very specific, and easy for even the beginner. Basically:

a. Open the selected photo mat template (to fit in your frame) and save it with a new name (such as "baby shower mat"). 

b. Open your selected digital paper, and drag it to your project. In the Layers Palette, make sure it is above "Place Digital Paper Above this Layer."

c. Open the photo of your m-t-b and drag it to your project. In the Layers Palette, make sure it is directly over "Place Photo Above This Layer."

d. Use the Magic Click to trim your photo perfectly! Just hold down the Option key, hover your mouse on the line between the photo and "Place Your Photo Above this Layer," and click your mouse. DONE!

e. If you are adding color to the border, drag the digital paper you've selected to your project, make sure it is above "Optional Photo Frame," and do the Magic Click.

e. You can use the Move tool to resize or reposition your photo. Hit the green checkmark when you're happy with the placement.

f. Save, then resave as a JPEG.

7: Upload to a photo print retailer such as Costco.

8: Wrap the frame and take as a gift to the shower, along with the print and a Sharpie.

9: Enjoy the party!

This project in my life

I created photo mat projects for two beautiful baby showers. The first was for my daughter, Aubree, who had a summery outdoor shower to welcome my granddaughter Caddison. I used a pale yellow and white polka dot, and we signed with a pink Sharpie!

The other shower was more recent. My daughter-in-law Tiffany had chosen adorable coordinating orange and turquoise nursery fabric for Adeline's nursery, and I scanned all three fabrics to create custom photo mats, which I placed in identical white frames. I'll explain how to do this in a future Beautifully Simple Project of the Week. We didn't use them as signing mats, but they were fun decorations and look adorable in the nursery!