It's been a while since I've shared a Do-It-Yourself project around here, and today I have a relatively simple one that is great to decorate your home with: Canvas Wall Art.
Here's my final wall---in my kitchen. The 7 block pieces are all handmade wall-art. Then I added just two accents: a fabric covered "S" from Anthropologie and the vintage colored clock from Francescas.
First step is to hit up your local Michaels or JoAnns craft stores for the 1" Deep gallery wrap canvases. I prefer these deeper canvases because they have a classier, more finished look to them. These are the canvases I used. I found them at my local Michael's Crafts. They come in a huge array of sizes which is fun, and is a great time to use a 50% off coupon from a weekly advertisement.
Step Two: Order matte photographs in corresponding sizes and get them printed out. I also designed some of them like the one you see above with my soon-to-be last name, and the one below made a cute quote for a home. Get those printed. Note: If you are printed yourself at home, be sure to use a matte, watter soluble photo paper so that when modge-podging later the ink doesn't bleed.
Step 3: Easy Peasy. Buy a large bottle of matte finish Modge Podge (also at Michaels) and some cheapy foam brushes. Add modge podge to the naked canvas, then to the back of your photo/print. Next, lay your photo/print on top of the canvas and modge podge some more. If you aren't familiar with modge podge it is basically watered down glue. It will dry clear. Trust me. The fun thing about it is it does dry with the brush texture/direction that you use. I love this sealed, handmade texture it leaves on the finished product. If you look closely you can see the streak-style sheen on the canvas above where the light hits it.
Step 4: Allow time to dry. The more modge podge you coat over your print/photo the longer it will take to dry. Once dry use some of your favorite mix and match paint colors and finish by painting the sides/edges of the canvas. I also like to brush a simple, messy frame along the edge of the photos/prints too. Allow time to dry and the pieces are complete! I've made several of these around the house, but this kitchen wall is the most recent! What do you think? Is it easy enough for you to give it a try?
Whoa! So cute! This is really amazing and creative. I love these ideas.
Posted by: Candy Smith | 03/14/2013 at 06:07 PM
I love it. These are really adorable. So cute! Thanks for sharing us ideas like this. I can surely try making some of these this weekend.
Posted by: jelly andrews | 10/29/2012 at 11:19 PM
These are amazing!!!! I love them!!!!!
Posted by: Julie Tucker-Wolek | 10/19/2012 at 09:24 PM
Cute stuff!
Posted by: AnnaMarie | 10/19/2012 at 05:01 PM
Your wall looks great. I actually just did a similar thing with the mod podge to a piece of scrap wood I found in the garage. It's using your Thankful yellow Homly paper with sticker that read "Give thanks" adn the turkey cut out with feathers behind it. After seeing your wall art, it would be fun to do something on canvas and I like how you painted the edges!
Posted by: Jenny | 10/19/2012 at 12:35 PM
Awesome! There's some empty wall space calling me. Thanks for the inspiration.
Posted by: SandraA | 10/19/2012 at 10:13 AM