Tuesday, November 22, 2011

How to make custom wall art!

I have recently become addicted to discovered Pinterest and have been pinning like a mad woman. I have found so many exciting DIY projects that I could hardly wait to get started.

The one that inspired me the most was using scrap-book paper and applying it to a medium to hang on the wall.

I have a white, blank wall in my office that has been begging for attention. I didn't know what I wanted to put there and nothing that looked at really felt right. After discovering Pinterest, I knew exactly what I wanted to do.

My office has two white walls and two green walls. My furniture is white and my accents are black.

After researching sales, I decided to purchase 12" x 12" canvas value packs from Michaels. I lucked out because a value pack of 7 were on sale for $14.99. They were by far the best deal. I have seen numerous tutorials using old frames, frames from the Dollar Tree, etc.

This is what you will need for this project

  • canvas (or medium of your choice)
  • scrap-booking paper for each canvas
  • black craft paint
  • small paint brush
  • permanent tacky spray
  • gloss sealer
I picked out 9 different pieces of scrap-book paper. Even though scrap-book paper is supposed to be 12" x 12", each piece was a little bit taller than that. I trimmed each of them down with a paper cutter. Once done, I arranged them on the floor on a drop cloth to make sure I liked the papers I chose.

I decided that I did want to paint the edges of the canvas because the white looked to bland.

I let them all dry and then used the permanent tacky spray to start attaching the paper.

Note: I did try to use Mod Podge, however if you want a smooth finish, you can not use mod podge on paper on canvas. It will wrinkle up and look like the paper had water damage.



This part went fairly quickly. Follow the instructions on the can and spray it over the canvas. Make sure that when you lay down your paper you have it lined up properly, it is not easy to move one it touches the canvas. You can spray the tacky spray inside, but I do not recommend spraying the sealer inside. It has a very, very strong odor.

Once each piece was attached, I let it sit for about 15 minutes. It dries very quickly.

Here is what my finished product looked like without the sealer over it.

Once this set, I took these outside and sprayed them down with three coats of sealer. That also dried very quickly and gave the finished product a really nice sheen.

I realized I made a boo-boo on the black and white stripes which shows in the bottom left corner of the picture, so I went ahead and placed a piece over it to hide it. A corner of the black and white stripe piece did not adhere and instead of using the tacky spray, I accidentally used the sealer, which caused the black paint to show through onto the paper.

If you have pieces that come loose, don't worry, you can fix it! Just make sure you use the right can. ;o)



Here is the finished product before I hung them. I am very happy with how they turned out! I can't believe how easy it was.I would estimate that each square cost me a total of $4 to make- and well worth it! If you all ready have the scrap-book paper and adhesive, then it will cost you a little over $2 each!

And finally, here it is hanging on my wall.



If you have any questions, please let me know! All of these products are available for purchase in my Amazon Shop.



Oh so fun! Participating in my first link parties!


P.S. Linking up at all my favorite party place listed on my link party page, as well as a new place to kick up my heels --The Stewart Estate!

55 comments:

  1. this is freaking awesome! i love black and white together and this is such a great piece of art for a room! when i move (i have no motivation to decorate more now in this place haha) then im going to look to this for inspiration! :)

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  2. Yay! So glad you liked it! :o) Thank you!

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  3. Oh, wow! This is fabulous!!! I have TONS of paper that I can use for a project like this!!! :) Found you via link party!

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  4. Congratulations! Your project is beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

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  5. Beautiful, Jen! I love black and white graphic prints and yours are very elegant!

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  6. Really nice!! Guess I'll be heading to the scrapbook store lol.

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  7. Michaels had a big scrapbook paper sale going on, 6 pieces for $1! If you have one nearby, you should check it out. :o) Their canvas' are also buy one get one free, too.

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  8. Black and white is always so striking and the feminine patterns lend your artwork a touch of delicacy. Beautiful work.
    Pinterest is dangerous, isn't it? :-)

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  9. So pretty! I love it!

    Leanne @ because (I think) I can

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  10. How great!! Very creative, Love how they look great in the space!! Please come link up over at Passionatelyperfect.com

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  11. Kristine, Yes it is very dangerous! I have projects galore piling up now thanks to pinterest! Thank you for your sweet comments! :o)

    Leanne, thank you!! I love it, too! :o)

    Sherika, I will come and check it out right now! Thank you! :o)

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  12. I love the black and white! Beautiful job!
    Thank you so much for the sweet comments.

    Alida
    http://radcrafter.com

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  13. It looks terrific! I love the papers you chose.

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  14. Great paper choices! And good tip on using mod podge :)

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  15. Thanks, Maggie, Alida, Korrie and Kim! :o)

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  16. Wow. What a simple idea and it looks AMAZING!! I love your blog. I'm your newest follower. (actually I thought I was already following you but I couldn't find you in my blog list. But now I am definitely following you)
    Would love to see you DIY Home Sweet home.
    Jamie
    http://diyhshp.blogspot.com/

    P.S. I have a linky every Monday. Would love for you to stop by and link up.

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  17. You did a good job, I really like the patterns. I've been working on a gallery wall for the longest I can do something like this to complete it. Thanks for sharing. I'm a new follower, please drop by when you have a chance.

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  18. Oh my gosh!! It looks fantastic!! Thanks for stopping by and leaving me such a sweet comment! :)

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  19. I'm hopping by and love this art idea. Thank you for sharing it's so pretty! Thank you for stopping by Inspirations by D. Hope to see you again.

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  20. Looks great! I love the theme of black and white, I feel that you can do so much with it and yet is still matches with so much in any room.

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  21. I LOVE this idea! So adorable! And it looks awesome!

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  22. love love love! It turned out great!

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  23. I love this idea for my bedroom. Thankyou for the nspiration. I am o pinning this. Thank you for sharing and for linking up to last weeks show and share party. Please come back this week and share your latest project with us.

    A mommy's life...with a touch of yellow
    wjwiki07@hotmail.com

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  24. I've seen things like this in catalogs that have been pretty expensive! Yours look just like them, amazing! Great work!

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  25. I love the papers you used to make these! I think I have some of them in my piles ;) Thanks for stopping by and sharing some comment love at my site...I'm new also and appreciate every visitor!!! I'm your newest follower! Stop by anytime,
    Sherry

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  26. I absolutely love this idea! It looks so chic and it doesnt break the bank! Fabulous Tips- Cant wait to do this above our master bed!

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  27. I have seen this done in threes or fours but I love your nine square layout. Black and white is also a favorite combo of mine and I think this looks great. So happy you linked it up to BeColorful's Motivated Monday.
    Pam

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  28. Wow Jen that is gorgeous! A really neat idea, I always see scrapbook paper in beautiful prints that I really love but I never thought of using them as wall art :) And you know me, I love the black and white :)

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  29. Thats Awesome! Love this.. I love black and white!

    Found you on TT&J and I'm now following! :) I would love for you to come by and link this up and any other projects you have on my new "Create and Inspire" linky party! ;)

    http://www.littleinspiration.com/2011/12/create-and-inspire-linky-party.html


    Thanks,
    Angie From A Little Inspiration

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  30. very very cute! I love this paper! I am so glad that you linked up this week!!! I am inspired! {all of your linked posts were just great!}.
    Jaime from Crafty Scrappy Happy

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  31. I love this! Scrapbook paper can be used for so many cute things! I love the designs you chose!

    I would love for you to come link up at my blog this week starting today!
    snap, craft & blog till your heart's {content} @ a content housewife {blog}

    Have a great week!
    -Lianne

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  32. You are featured on AP Tuesday at New Nostalgia! Loved this post. Thanks for linking up!

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  33. You used such a great combination of patterns in the scrapbook paper. What great wall art! Can't wait to see what you make next!

    Jenny
    www.seaminglysmitten.com

    I'd love if you would check out our Sew Crafty Christmas event and Giveaways!

    http://seaminglysmitten.blogspot.com/2011/12/enter-giveaway-set-of-9-fashion.html

    http://seaminglysmitten.blogspot.com/2011/12/50-gift-card-to-so-sew-boutique.html

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  34. love this! sounds like a christmas break project to me!

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  35. I really like this project. I'm going to keep my out for sales on canvases. So glad you chose to share it at my Show & Tell party.

    Sharon @ mrshinesclass

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  36. This is so unique and beyond cute!! I love it!!Very creative and artsy.. Would love for you to please share it via my Pin'Inspirational Thursday linky party please...LOVE it :)) http://theartsygirlconnection.blogspot.com/2011/12/pininspirational-thursday-11-linky.html?m=1 thanks so much :)) Wishing you a happy Thursday..~Marilyn <~Your HAPPY newest follower :))

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  37. Lovely!! Thanks for linking up at Feathered Nest Friday!

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  38. Awesome work, I must say. I will def try it out sometime.

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  39. Oh my goodness!! I fully thought I made this up! ;) Another tip is to recycle gift bags (or gift wrap) or buy your own from the 99 cent or similar store...same steps, attach to a medium or place in a frame. Gift bags are kind of in between scrap paper and fabric...you get the affordability of paper with the possibility of different textures offered by fabric.

    P to the S...more proof we are kindred? My walls are green and my decor is black and white with grey, yellow, and blue accents.:D

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  40. I love this so, so much and can think of a million uses...baby nursery, Christmas display, master-bath, playroom...

    Thank you!!

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  41. Great project!! I linked you up to my blog so my readers can find you!
    http://aworldofcrafts.blogspot.com/

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  42. Love this, I posted to my FB for my other crafty friends to enjoy and the rest to envy :)

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  43. Love this idea! I have also seen this done with fabric, (especially discounted upholstery fabric or those pieces that you don't know what to do with them because there is not enough of it). You just stretch it over the canvas and staple it onto the back.

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  44. awesome idea. I am gonna modify it a bit. We got some castle landscape posters in Germany yrs ago that I always meant to frame and never did. I am going to cut it into 12x12 squares (or whatever size canvas I find) and do this procedure then hang them together. AND for my bedroom I am gonna do your exact project with some butterfly scrapbook papers I found. Will take pictures and post-send when I finish later this month:-)

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  45. Love this idea! So much more affordable and creative than pre made. Found you through Frugal Girls. Happy New Year!

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  46. So doing this behind my bed in black and blue. This is awesome! Good to know that mod podge isn't the best medium! Thanks!

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  47. Where did you get that cube shelf you have next to your desk? Love it!

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    1. Hi, KP! I got this from Ikea, it is from their Expedit line. If you check out my blog in the next week or so, you will the rest of the items I bought in this line in my office redo! :o)

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  48. Hi, KP! I couldn't respond to you directly since your settings are no email reply. I got the cube shelf at Ikea!! Stay tuned because I will be posting my office redo sometime this next week, using a series of these shelves! It is called the Expedit. Cheap price, easy to put together and I love the way it looks!!

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  49. I wish I had seen this several months ago!! I just did tis exact same thing w scrapbook paper on canvas, but my spray adhesive must have been old, I couldn't get my paper to stick. So I gave up & Modge Poged it. That was a MESS! it also wrinkled up a few of my papers, but worked out well enough. Thanks for sharing this!!

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    1. Hi, Liss! I am actually noticing that my corners are starting to come up on this! I am really bummed that this is happening. I think I might give the mod podge a try again and just use it very sparingly. How did it turn out after it was all dried? Do you have any pictures you can share?

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