Making canvas art is easier than I originally thought. Well, that is depending on what you want to create, of course.
Since the birth of our new baby, I wanted to create some fun DIY decorations for his room. I had intended to create a burlap sign and maybe a few other pieces. But on a trip to Hobby Lobby I found canvas that were two for one specials so I decided to ditch the burlap and go with the canvas instead. The canvas were $3.99 for a pair. So I got a pair of 8 x 10 and another of 10 x 13, I believe it was.
As you can see, mulit-surface acrylic paint is becoming my friend. The yellow I bought from Hobby Lobby and the others from Target. The paint brushes are also from Hobby Lobby. I went ahead a got a bag of different sizes of brushes. The “B” and the other letters shown below are also from Target. Who knew Target had a line of art supplies like these? Is this a recent something or have I being missing it all this time?
Anyway, below I will show you the letters I have done for each of our kids. They represent the beginning of each child’s name.
Note: I must add that I did not capture photos of just one particular letter all the way through from beginning to end. I was busily creating them between the baby’s nap. So there were times when I did not have time to take photos. Also, some of the photos may be a little dark because I was working on these at nights, too.
OK. So here I have the letter B for our second daughter. And some pink multi-surface acrylic paint. I used a 1″ paint brush for this project.
Then I gave the B and all the other letters about 2 coats of paint. This paint dries fast. You may notice I have other paint colors shown here, too. That is because I was working on painting the canvases, too. The bottles of paint are small (only 2 fl oz) but they could paint quite a few letters and canvases.
When I was done painting the letters I worked on painting the canvases. I chose to use the smaller size (8 x 10) for this art. They came in white already primed. So about two coats of paint and they were done. This one is blue for the girls against the pink letters. I did a yellow for the baby boy against a blue letter.
So now to make the art (decor) I used photo frames I found from Ikea. The frames are supposed to fit the size of printing paper. I had intended to use them for our kids art work but used it for this instead. I had bought a framed canvas piece of art from Target and love it. Hence my inspiration to frame the canvases. Then I used craft glue to bring it all together.
Add glue to the back of the letter.
Then carefully center it on the canvas and glue it in place.
Now add glue to the back of the canvas.
Carefully, place it on the mirror of the photo frame. Let it dry.
Note: Because the frames are a little bigger than the 8 x 10 canvases, there was tiny space both top on bottom between the canvas. It still looked great.
Here are the other other ones I did. I purposefully did not frame the ampersand sign because of the way I wanted it to look on the walls in the girls room. It is supposed to read S & B.
So all it all, I think it was a successful project. I have also created a few other projects with canvases since and I have been learning different ways to use them.
What do you think of these framed canvas letters? Were they simple enough? I think so! I would love to know your thoughts in the comments.
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness (Proverbs 31:27, KJV).
Precious idea! I may have to do this for our dogs. I am a crazy dog lady ๐
And I love that shade of pink. So pretty!
You dogs…lol! Way too funny. Thank you!!
What a great, low-cost way to add art to a child’s room. I like that the art is timeless and will be appropriate even in their teen years (and beyond).
That is a great thought about it lasting throughout the years, Alli!!
Well done. I had no idea that Target carried such things. I love that you chose to do a personal art piece for your baby. So sweet
Thanks Mary. Target art supplies seem to be new to me, too!
This is too cute!
Thank you Anna…indeed!!
What a fun project to work on! I love that it looks so easy, yet it doesn’t look cheap. I think it’s a great way to add personalization to any room in the home. ๐
Thank you Lecy. I like that they do not look cheap too!! My kids love them:)
You’ve made this look incredibly easy! I think the Target art supplies is a recent addition. I have been eyeing the wooden letters but haven’t come across a DIY project I liked until now! What brand is the multi-surface acrylic paint? Are you a fan of chalk paint? :]
I would NOT have thought to put the canvas inside the frame! Zan, you gave me a fantastic idea…I have two canvases at the house that aren’t quite as big as I wanted them…maybe I should add a frame to them! Thank you!!!
The frame really makes them spread out. I love the framing idea, too!! Hope you can make them work!!
Cute idea and great way to add a frame to wall letters.
Thank you Erlene. These are really cute:)
I like everything about this project. I especially like the layerin aspect which adds to the character of your project. They turned out beautiful. Nice colors too.
The layering really adds character. I am happy with how they turned out!
How great are these?! I don’t need any more craft projects, but I may have to make room to try these. Too easy and perfect for a number of things. Thanks for sharing!
I am so glad to have inspired you Leslie!!
What a cute idea for a kids room! Love this, and it’s so easy to personalize with color or prints and patterns. Fun! Thanks for being a super co-host at the #HomeMattersParty — we love having you on the team! ๐
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
Thank you Lorelai! I really love how personalized you can get with this art too…It is great to work along with you, too!!
Love how these look. I have done something similar but with stencils not actual 3D letters. I think the 3D letters look better though because they pop out. Love it! Glad to be co-hosting at #HomeMattersParty
Glad to be co-hosting with you, too. I am really please how the art work turned out:)
What a quick, cute art project for the house! Thanks for sharing and I enjoy co-hosting with you. #HomeMattersParty
Thanks India! It turned out really well:)
My daughter just moved in to a new house these would look so good in the kids room. Great tutorial!
Thank you Vicki – they make awesome personalized decor!
Such a cute idea and love how inexpensive they are to make! Thanks for sharing and for being a co-host with me at the #HomeMattersParty. It sure is fun!
You are welcome Brittanie! Easy low cost projects are the way to go!
Turned out great and I love the colors. I did something similar when I decorated for a young 20 yr old woman’s room (she has special needs). You put much more work into your project, I just hung a letter with a backless frame over it. You can see it at http://www.mbzinteriors.com/?p=5190 if you want. Happy new week.
Funny…I wanted to make it special. I will check yours out!!
These are so pretty, the perfect accent to kids’ bedrooms! Thanks for sharing at What’d You Do This Weekend? I hope you will join us again next Monday!
You are welcome Joy. I love sharing at your party!