This post was most recently updated on September 22nd, 2019
Wall art is one of my decorating obsessions (along with toss cushions and mantel decor, lol).
I’d been searching for something to hang between the headboard posts in our master bedroom for quite awhile. The space required something in a horizontal rectangular shape, which was difficult to find.
So, just before Christmas, on a whim really, I decided to try and make something myself.
Since Valentines Day is coming, I thought I’d share it now. You’ll see why.
I had purchased a pre-cut black vinyl quote back in the fall that read “Love conquers all”. (That’s why, lol). I I got it for a low price, maybe at Homesense (under $10). I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with it at the time, but I knew it’d eventually become a project!
I also had already a rectangular canvas on hand which I had spray-painted in a metallic bronze awhile back for a project that never came to fruition.
So I decided to ‘marry’ the two. Get it? Love and marriage?!? I know, I know, humor is not really my thing.
This piece was SO easy to make. I didn’t take pictures of the process at the time (darn). My camera wasn’t charged when the inspiration came. I had to roll with it, or it wasn’t gonna happen!
Given that I’m not an artist, I really like how it turned out. The watery blues are the perfect compliment to the quote. It feels kind of dreamy, which is just the look I was going for.
Wanna make one yourself?
- Step 1: Purchase (or re-use) a canvas.
- Step 2: Spray (or brush) on a metallic colour – like silver, gold, pewter, or bronze – and let dry. This coat doesn’t have to be perfect. You’ll be painting over it, and only a little will show through.
- Step 3: Once it’s dry, stick on your vinyl quote. You can purchase an inexpensive one pretty much anywhere now for ridiculously cheap, or cut one with your Silhouette. It can be any old color vinyl – you are only using it as a stencil here, and will be peeling it off at the end.
- Step 4: Depending on whatever color you want for your piece (mine was a watery blue), grab some regular old craft paint in different shades of that color. On a paint palette – or a tupperware plastic lid if you’re like me, lol – squeeze a fair amount of each of your colors. Now, starting with whatever shade you want, paint right over your canvas (and vinyl) in broad, random strokes, while still allowing the metallic paint underneath to peek through in spots. Using the same brush, do the exact same thing with another shade of the same color. Keep doing this until you are happy with the look. There is no special trick to this. It’s your work of art!
- Step 5: Let dry REALLY well – like overnight. (Because I am impatient, I used my hairdryer here, but I wouldn’t recommend it as the paint bubbled in spots).
- Step 6: When it’s completely dry, peel off your vinyl lettering carefully. The words will now be in the metallic color you painted as your first coat!
See, everybody has a little artist in them somewhere!
Until next time,
Kerri
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PS. I’m linking this post at Home Stories A2Z Tips & Tutorials Tuesday, and the Shabby Nest’s Frugal Friday.
I’d like to to put our last name on the stencil but don’t have a machine to create the stencil. Any advice?
Hi Leann. You can order customized vinyl from several sources online at a reasonable price. (I once ordered a whole verse of a song for my twin newborns’ nursery!) Perhaps you could order your surname? Hope this helps! ~Kerri
What is the trick to getting the vinyl to stick to the canvas?
Hmmmm. I didn’t have a problem with that. It was adhesive vinyl, and stuck perfectly.
Hi Kerri – I just came across your blog looking for photos of Woodlawn Blue and I have been having such fun going “through” your house! I just love the neutral color on the walls in your room…do you recall the name of the color? Thanks so much!
Oooh, I love it too! It’s one of my faves. I painted our room 5 years ago, and I still love it! It’s a SICO color (which I think is a Canadian brand) but you can probably have it matched and made in any brand. I’m not sure of the number, but it’s called SICO Mystic Savannah. If it helps, it’s on the same color card as Kalahari Beige, which is a popular color. Good luck!
Beautiful! I will definitely give this a try!
I about peed myself…….. I have this same qoute and about 5 years ago I painted a piece of wood ( the same size as yours ?!? Crazy huh) and slapped that wordage on there and thought I was so clever! I get SOO many complements on it. I also made one for our kitchen. You must be a smart lady, I just stumbled upon your blog from pinterest. It is making me thing maybe I should do this whole blog thing after all! I suppose I need to learn how to take pictures of my spaces and creations…
That’s so funny! Blog is a great escape; I hope it works out for you! Thanks for coming by! ~Kerri
Do you know the names of the colors you used? And how many?
Where can you buy the canvis?
You can buy them at Michael’s or most craft stores. Good luck! ~Kerri, A Pop of Pretty
What size canvas is this? This is one of my all time favorite quotes and it definitely tells the story of my husband’s and mine’s “love/life”. I love it and want to get one of my friends to paint me one.
Without measuring, I think its 36″ x 18″. But any rectangular-shaped canvas would work perfectly! Good luck with the project! ~Kerri
I really like this, it seems the perfect size and style to break the room up. Sometimes a wall on its own can be a little too much and need something like this to make it more like home.
Thanks so much for coming by, Claire! ~Kerri
Love this! What a clever idea and the colours are terrific in that room!
Thanks CA. It so easy to make! Have a fab Friday! Kerri