It's doable... the DIY photo canvas
Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 08:56PM WOW!! Do I LOOOOVEEE this project! (Thanks for suggesting it, Miranda!) And for about $20 you just can't go wrong...
WHAT YOU'LL NEED:
-A canvas (yes I did 3, 2-5x7s and 1-8x10)
-A photo the size of your canvas
-Matte Mod Podge
-2 foam brushes (you can reuse if you'd like and just get 1) and disposable bowls
-Black acryllic paint (I used Martha Stewart Beetle Bug Black matte from Michael's for $1.99)
-Scrapbook paper of your choice (just enough for the edges of the canvas)
-Paper cutter, again, not required but it will make this project sooo much easier
-old rag or sponge (I used a rag and loved it)
-scissors
STEPS:
1) Cut your scrapbook paper the width of your canvas (not larger, slightly smaller will work). I typically don't measure anything, so I just laid down my paper and put my canvas on top to measure it. Cut 4 strips (about 3 inches longer than the length of your canvas).
2) Take your foam brush and brush the Mod Podge on the long side of your canvas and lay your strip of paper down. You'll want it to be longer on each side. Then do the same on the other side.
3) Cut a strip slightly shorter than the width of your canvas. Mod Podge the short side of your canvas now (over the paper you have laid out). Stick this smaller strip over the overlaps. Repeat on the other side so that all edges of your canvas are covered with your paper.
4) Now it's time to Mod Podge over the top of the canvas. Cover it completely and it's ok if it's a LITTLE thick. Then hover your photo over the top to line it up, and press it down.
5) First, Mod Podge over the sides of your canvas that are covered in scrapbook paper to seal it. Then Mod Podge over the top of the photo. Don't panic, it will dry clear! It is really important to be as even as possible on your photo. Do long strokes from side to side and make sure all of your strokes are in the same direction.
If I were to do it over again, I would've made this coverage MORE even:
6) Let this dry completely, about an hour or so. (I only did one coat, but if yours looks uneven, this is the time to do your second coat). Using the long edge of your foam brush, paint the acryllic paint inbetween the photo and the scrapbook paper. It's ok if it overlaps a little bit because the next step will fix this.
7) After you have made it all the way around your canvas, take your rag/sponge and 'tap tap tap' over this edge. You will occasionally have to add some paint to the rag, but don't add a lot. The edge of this paint line will be kind of bumpy, that is good. Right now you are up close on this project, when you step back a foot or so it looks amazing!
8) Now that the sides look the way you want them to, do the top. Here is an example:
9) Let it all dry and your work is complete!
Like the photos?? I have to brag on our wonderful photographer, Lynn Lee
Reader Comments (8)
Crystal! Those look absolutely beautiful! Thanks for tagging me in the post. Lovely, lovely!
are the photos you used printed off the computer on printer paper, or did you get them enlarged on regular photo paper?
This is an awesome idea. Great alternative to traditional photo frames.
This is awesome. I just made it with a poster instead of a photo. Came out great. Thank you. :)
I just tried making my own photo canvases from photos printed on regular paper. I spread the Mod Podge over the canvas and pressed down the photo, even tried to smooth it out, but it still ended up bubbling in many places.....what trick did you do to make the photo so smooth once on the canvas? Any advise would be great! Thanks!
Rebecca, I think it's because you used regular paper. What you're describing reminds me of when I would put Elmer's glue under paper in grade school and it would bubble. Try getting your photo printed from a photo place, it's only a buck or two and use a foam brush to spread the mod podge, that should fix your problem! Thanks for visiting, let me know if you have any other issues!
Thanks for the tip! Most of the bubbles actually smoothed out over night :) I'll try having them printed on photo paper for my next project!
Great idea! And the finished product looks amazing! Haha I saw this pinned on Pinterest and after looking through the steps, I realized that I recognized the groom! We went to the same high school, what a small world!