A is for...

Artwork...
Here's the first day in my Alphabet Photo Challenge...

This is a picture of some "artwork" I made for our bathroom.  I saw an idea of something similar online somewhere, but I didn't like how the original had just been a regular framed picture.  I like the look of this subway poster/canvas idea better :)

If you haven't figured it out yet, those are the very special dates in our lives in the HH....my birth date, J's birth date, our wedding date and both of the kiddo's birth dates. (Now, J has no excuse for ever forgetting my birthday...not that he ever has...)

With this picture challenge post, I will also attempt my first DIY post as well!!

Would you like to make this canvas picture for your family? Don't like the 'special dates' idea?  You can follow this process to make a canvas with any saying you would like.  I made canvases for the in-laws' lake houses that said things like "On Lake Time."  The whole project cost less than $10!

Here is a list of items you will need:

• Blank Canvas: This one is 18in x 24in.  You can get canvases at Hobby Lobby for very inexpensive and if they're not on sale (which they often are) you can always print their 40% coupon online and use that! They have all different shapes and sizes to fit the space you have.
• Acrylic Craft Paint: One bottle for the background color (two bottles for larger canvases), one bottle for each accent color
• Foam paint brushes
• Poster Board
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Tape
• Picture hanging hook

Here is what you do (unfortunately, I didn't take pictures along the way....note to self for next time!):

• Using a foam brush, paint the entire canvas in your background color. Don't forget to paint the outer edges of the canvas.  Apply as many coats as necessary to achieve the color you wish. 
• Applying only one/two light coats with long brush strokes will give you a distressed wood type of affect 
• Cut poster board into the size/shape of your canvas.  You will use this to create one large stencil.
• Using your ruler and pencil, draw your design onto the poster board. Be sure to leave space between letters/numbers/shapes in order to create a stencil
• Cut out your numbers/letters/shapes.  Do NOT cut out through the blank spaces, remember you are creating a stencil. (This step took a lot of concentration for me!)
• Place your large stencil on top of the (now dry) canvas and tape down all edges.  Use "tape balls" to tape down any places that the stencil pops up.
• Carefully paint your design in whatever colors you choose.  Hold down the stencil and paint away from edges slowly.  The paint will bleed under the stencil slightly, but this will give it that rustic look.
• Do not wait for the paint to dry completely to remove the stencil as the poster board will stick to the canvas! Slowly and carefully remove the stencil a few minutes after you finished painting your design.
• Allow to dry completely.  Use background paint to touch up any areas where your design may have bled too much.
• Flip canvas over and attach hanging hook to back of canvas
• You did it!!