So the original intention for this project was to use it as a wall hanging in my Guest Bathroom upstairs but the color was WAY off from the rest of the decor. I really love the way it looks so I hung it in my powder room downstairs and until yesterday it was just plain. It took me several weeks to figure out what to do with it.
I was perusing Pinterest and came across my friend Chelsea's pins and saw an idea to Decoupage old scrapbook pieces. LIGHTBULB!
So I went to the HL and found three 4" x 6" wrapped canvas art boards.
Something similar to this
I took some Burnt Umber (Dark Brown) Acrylic Paint and painted the outside wrapped edges of the canvas so that it would look more finished when I was done.
After that I cut some scrapbook paper the size of the top of the canvas. You might want to mark it and cut with a paper slicer because my canvas wasn't exactly 4x6" as advertised.
I purchased a decoupage finish from the store. Modge Pog is a popular brand but when I read the instructions it suggested using another product on top of that product so that the finish wouldn't be tacky. Now...last thing I want to do is pay for TWO products for one project. This is on the cheap after all. So I decided on this product:
which does everything I need it to do in one without the tackiness. DONE.
So here is what you do:
Step 1: Paint the outside edges of the wrapped canvas. Pick the color you want. I do suggest a neutral to go with the paper though.
Step 2: After the paint dries, use a brush and brush your decoupage finish onto the canvas and a little on the paper.
Step 3: Start with one side of the paper and sort of roll it onto the canvas. If you need to readjust, do it quickly before it dries too much and you can't move it. It's easier to do it this way than to just lay it down on the canvas all at once in case you miss your mark.
**Optional Step: use the same color you painted with, in my case the Burn Umber, and paint the corners and edges with a dry brush to give it a sort of aged, rugged look.
Step 4: Give that about 10 minutes to dry and then brush the decoupage finish on TOP of your scrapbook paper. Go ahead and coat it over the painted portion too. It dries clear and it gives the painted portion the same shine as the rest of the project. Repeat this step at LEAST once more to make sure you can get the corners coated well so they don't peal up.
Don't worry too much if the colors in your scrapbook paper smudge slightly from the wetness of the finish. It adds to the charm!
If you use this for a similar purpose as I did then here are some additional steps:
Step 5: Buy some photo frame hooks similar to this one to screw into the back of your canvas for hanging. I used a triangle shaped one that was slightly smaller than this.
Make sure to measure it and center it as best you can on the back of the canvas or it will hang all cock-eyed. If it is slightly crooked don't worry, again adds to the charm. COMPLETELY crooked is another story.
Step 6: Hammer in your nail and hang!
Finished Product:
Cost:
Scrapbook paper: slightly under $1 with 50% HL discount
Decoupage Finish: $6.99 minus 40% off coupon so....(calculating)...$4.19ish
Canvases: $2.99 ea. Could have waited for 50% off sale but didn't wanna. I had no idea when they would go on sale and I just wanted to finish this darn thing.
Total cost: just under $15. Sounds like a lot for those teeny things, BUT I have a TON of decoupage finish left to go decoupage NUTS and they make great gifts for Mother's Day because you don't have to use scrapbook paper, you can use any paper or even pictures. It's like a fun mosaic. Also, I have tons of scrapbook paper left for other projects as well.
LASTLY:
I am going to velcro (so I can switch them out later) some little square pictures of Dylan or Justin and I to display on these pretty canvases.
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