It's about time. I've been steadily working on projects, photographing and procrastinating about the first blog post. I swear I have adult ADD. I get started on one project and before it's remotely close to being complete I'm off on another tanget. Ah well, that's how things go.
I've become slightly--no completely--addicted to the blog world. I love reading everyone's blog and pulling bits of inspiration from everythingI read. There are a lot of SERIOUSLY talented peeps out there! So, let's start off with one of my favorite-and most recent projects--DIY Subway Art.
I love thrift store treasure hunting. I crave the chance to rummage. You never know what you might find. I was at a local GoodWill near the day job. I like to visit several times a week during my lunch hour. While there I found two large 26x36 inch canvases for only $6. Only problem is that, well, they looked like--this:
U-G-L-Y--You ain't got no alibi--but I regress. You know you can't buy a canvas that size for under $50 so I snatched them up and ran! I've been coveting all of the fabulous Subway art from Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware and the likes. But the PRICE. I can't fathom paying $795 for these little beauties from Restoration Hardware.
I know, I know. Look at them. They are gorgeous! But hey, I'm crafty! I can make my own with a little time and a whole lot less $!! First I opened photoshop and created a canvas the same size as my canvas, plus I added 2 inches on each side so I could wrap my subway art around the "ugly" canvas. You can do the same in various photo editing programs or even in Word. I picked places that were meaningful for my family and I. My husband was born in Anchorage and I was born in Ft. Worth, TX. My parents live in Ft. Worth an his in Embudo, NM. I also added the street that our first home was on and some special locations and vacation spots.
I grabbed my handy dandy External Drive and headed over to Staples. I had the lovely Print and Copy gal print me up my Subway Art as an Engineering Print. They use a large format printer--however before you go Hog Wild with a rainbow of colors understand that Engineering Prints are only done in black and white. The best part? The print was only $3.99 for a 30.5"x40.5" print. Rockin'!!!
No here's where I'm a bad blogger, I forgot to take the inbetween photos. I was too excited to get the project done! First, I spray painted the canvas white so I had a clean slate. I didn't want any of the oh so--uh--pretty yellow flowers to show through the lettering. Next, with my print rolled up in a tube, I painted modge podge (the homemade kind) onto the canvas, about 6-8 inches down the canvas at a time and rolled the print onto the canvas. Much like you would do with wallpaper, I think!
It will bubble. It's thin paper and the nature of the game. Once I had the whole front of the canvas covered I flipped it over and smoothed it out by running my hands over the back of the canvas. I didn't want to risk tearing or smearing the Subway art.
Once I had things as smooth as they were gonna get I focused on the corners and sides. Again, I used my homemade modge podge and glued the sides down and wrapped the corners much like wrapping a gift with wrapping paper. Voila! Perfection! Now here's the important part-LET IT DRY!! Once I felt sure that the canvas was dry I took a fine grit sand paper and lightly sanded the creases in the paper that formed from the bubbles. I seriously love the way it ages the piece!
Last but not least, I sprayed a light coat of clear acrylic to seal the piece and let it dry outside for a good hour before I brought it inside to hang. I couldn't be more thrilled with the way this project turned out! I needed a large piece for the wall and finding large pieces on a budget can be difficult!
I have a LOT more projects to share with you so be a dear and follow me, K?
All the best,
