When trying to decide what my first DIY du jour project would be, the decision was a happy no brainier.  Ever since I stumbled on a post a few months back (while sitting at my desk at work, clearly distracted) on how to turn your photos to canvas I haven’t stopped doing it.  It’s crazy cheap, requires all of 6 things, and you defiantly already own 4 of them.  And the BEST part is you don’t have to stop with photos.  If it fits on canvas (or at least some part of it), you can pretty much “turn” it into canvas.

This project is an amazing way to display your fondest memories or give as gifts and a let minute one at that!  It’s so quick and easy and I think I already said cheap!  I have used this little “how-to convert to canvas” to create many pieces for my son’s gallery wall including his art from pre-school, pages from his favorite picture books, his brothers’ name cards from the hospital.  I’m telling you, this is a no fail project that takes a gallery wall to a whole new and very inexpensive level.

So, without further adieu, here is my first posted DIY du Jour:  How to Turn Pictures (and so much more) Into Canvas.

The supplies:  the supplies

1. Canvas.  You can buy this online, a craft store or I bought mine at Aaron Brothers.  2. Paint brushes  3.  Acrylic Paint  4.  Scissors  5.  Mod Podge, matte or gloss, your preference 6.  Whatever picture, print, paper, page or art project you want to turn to canvas.

The How-To:

But first a quick aside — I don’t think I’ve mentioned it yet but I live with an astronaut.  My 3 1/2 yr old son has decided it so.  And while some parents happily endure the tutus, the capes and the princess dresses, I wash 2 flight suits just about everyday.  Why 2?  Because the orange one you see astronauts wearing is ONLY for take offs and landing (yes, we have all the books).  The white one is worn IN space.  Duh.

Hopefully now my choice in what to use as demo material now makes sense.  Kids are expensive enough so this an awesome way  to keep up with their evolving interests on the cheap!

1.  Cut your image down to size or scale it up via your printer and hit print.  Rip out the page from slap it onthe book, or grab your favorite photo.  Whatever it is, get it to the general size of your canvas first.  Here, I used regular ole printer paper, not the good stuff or picture paper.  Now my picture was smaller than the canvas I chose because I wanted to give it a “frame.” But if you want it to be the whole canvas, cut it down so that nothing hangs over the canvas.  I have found if you make it like 1/8 of an inch smaller all around it’s way easier.

2. Paint the sides and in this case, the “frame” of the canvas.  Then give it a second coat and wait for it dry fully.  If you don’t you run the risk of the color bleeding.

3.  Slap and spread the Mod Podge all over the canvas.  make sure you get it everywhere and just keep in mind it dries quickly.  Don’t rush it but do make sure to reapply and really get it on there, covering the entire canvas.

4.  Gently place the image on top of the canvas.  This one is small so I didn’t have to start at one end don't be shyand slowly smooth it down to avoid air bubbles.  But that is my recommendation for larger ones.  Once you have it in place, you have a few seconds depending on the medium you used, to position it.  Then its back to layering on the Mod Podge.  ALL OVER IT.  It will DRY CLEAR, have no fear.

5.  Add more Mod Podge if you want a heavier gloss or matte but that’s it.  You’re done!  You can go from zero to happy in less than 30 minutes including drying time!!

 

 

 

looking good                        fianl