Easy Wall Art

We made some fantabulous canvas wall art that goes for big bucks at Pottery Barn and Pier 1, but was pretty cheap and VERY easy to make. If you want the project to be more involved, you can really go to town with different mediums and embellishments. We'll give instructions for the easy way, then extra tips for the more extravagant route. (For ideas on the more extravagant route, check out these ladies at http://winborgdesign.blogspot.com/)

You Will Need:

• Stretched Canvas, any size or dimension (available at craft and art stores, we got ours on sale at JoAnne's for half price)
• Mod Podge or other craft glue. This will be used to glue and seal our project so make sure that it is a glue that dries clear.
• Sponge brush (also available in craft stores, but also at Walmart, usually 3 for $1)
  
• Scrapbook papers
• (Optional) Cheap acrylic paints that match your papers (you can get these at walmart for about $1 a piece, and you only need a few)
• (Optional) Paint brush (something big and chunky will do the trick)

Creating the Art:

• Decide what you want on your canvas. Emily got her inspiration from some Pottery Barn flower art. You could do animals, geometric shapes, something related to your child's hobby, anything! We saw a very cute one on 3 canvases that was a catarpillar with 2 big green paper circles of different patterns on each canvas, and little feet painted on. Get Creative!
• Cut out your paper in the shape/size that you want (we made a template first so as not to make mistakes on our cute paper).
• (Optional) Use paint in matching/accenting colors to add shadow, contrast or pizazz to your shape- especially if you will be layering multiple papers.
  
• Let dry
  
• Use your sponge brush to cover the back of your paper image with glue, making sure the entire shape is well covered.
• Place in desired location on canvas and carefully smooth out any bubbles or bumps.
• Once all pieces are in place, load sponge brush heavily with glue and begin brushing over the entire canvas. Go slowly over papered areas to prevent tearing or wrinkling. It is best to work brush strokes in one direction (up and down or side to side) for a more uniform look. Brush strokes will be visible once dry, but this is part of the "look."
• Let dry, and hang!

Tips for Extravagance:

• Add pictures to your art the same way you add paper. Black and white are particularly eye-catching in wall art
• Scrapbook paper can be art in itself, create a collage of coordinating papers in different shapes and sizes, glue them on, seal with glue for a finished look and hang.
• Distress: use sandpaper to rough up the edges of papers and pictures, Ink edges with black or brown stamp pads, water down white paint and fade a picture by brushing on a light whitewash, tear papers or even pictures (gasp!) to complete that vintage look.
• Embellish: Stamp or write letters, slogans or phrases, add brads, eyelettes, decorated tags. You can also paint or ink large chipboard letters for a more stand-out look.
  
• Glue on decorative jewels after the project has been sealed to really make your project pop!
  

Pee Pee Tee Pees

I saw these at the Baby Expo the other day and just had to make some of my own just because they were so funny! Apparently the Tee-Pees serve as a little shield to keep you from getting sprayed when you change your baby boy's diaper. :)

You Will Need:

• Fabric strips (I have seen flannel and terrycloth used) at least 7" wide and length depending on how many you plan on making.
• Thread
• Sewing Machine
• Paper and scissors for making pattern
• Cup or small bowl for making pattern (circle should probably be at least 4" across)

Making the Tee Pees

• On my pattern, I have the diameter as 4 1/2" across, but another blogger found that a 6" diameter worked better, so you might want to find a cup or bowl about that diameter.
• Use the cup or small bowl to draw a circle on your paper and cut it out.
• Fold circle in half and then in half again to make an "x" marking the center of your circle
• Draw a line from the center down the middle of one of the quarters of your circle.
• Now cut out half the circle plus the little half-quarter piece, and this is your pattern.



• Use your pattern to cut out two semi-circles.
• Sew the two pieces right-sides together leaving one straight edge open for turning.



• Turn right-side out, tuck in the open seam (so raw edges are inside) and press.



• Sew the two straight edges together, and you're done!