Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Canon PIXMA, but all opinions expressed are 100% my own.
The other day I was in Pier 1, and I saw this cute and colorful typography artwork…
I really liked the chalkboard-looking background and the colorful letters, but I wasn’t too crazy about the saying. I also thought that some dimensional letters would look nice. So I decided to make my own, with a sentiment that was a little more “me”.
I snapped a picture of my inspiration with my phone, and printed it out right there from the store using my Canon PIXMA MG7120 and the PIXMA Cloud App so that my inspiration pic would be waiting for me when I got back home.
I started off with a 12 x 12 black canvas (purchased at Hobby Lobby) and some wood letters. I laid everything out to be sure it would fit before moving on.
I also needed something colorful for my letters, and since it’s still fall, I thought that using pictures of fall leaves would work perfectly! And lately, the leaves here in Central Texas have been really pretty. Just take a look at the big oak tree in my front yard! I snapped this picture two days ago.
But since my mom is the photographer in the family, and she already had some beautiful photos, I had her send over some pictures that she had taken of trees in their neighborhood, and I chose my favorite one with the most color…
And I love the fact that it was taken right in the neighborhood where I grew up (and where my mom still lives).
I printed out several copies of the picture as large as I could make it to fit onto a sheet of 8.5 x 11 matte photo paper.
I used my photo editing software to increase the brightness of the photo each time I printed it so that I would have more variation in color to choose from.
Next I brushed on some decoupage adhesive to the front of the letters…
…then glued the letters to the back of the printed photos, and cut them out with a craft knife. You can see that I put the letters in strategic spots to take advantage of the most colorful areas of the photos.
I didn’t do a great job in cutting them out, and they looked pretty rough, so I cleaned them up with some 180-grit sandpaper. It did a great job at making the edges really smooth and removing any excess paper that I didn’t trim just perfectly.
I wanted my canvas to look like a chalkboard, just like the inspiration piece, so I used some white craft paint and a very wet craft brush and washed some white paint over the entire surface of the canvas. In some areas I had too much, so I just used paper towel to wipe off the excess.
Once that was dry, I was ready to glue on my letters.
I love how colorful the letters are, and I especially love knowing that these are beautiful fall leaves from the neighborhood where I grew up.
I think this will look great in my office once I start working on the decorating in there.
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
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14 Comments
Cheryl @ The Creative Me and My McG
December 10, 2013 at 10:33 amGreat project Kristi! Love how you used pictures from your neighborhood!
Sue
December 10, 2013 at 12:40 pmGreat use of neighborhood photos and the beautiful colors. I could see doing this for every season. Thanks for another great idea.
Genelle McDaniel
December 10, 2013 at 1:09 pmSo happy you came up with a project you could completely finish while you’re feeling a little hung up on some others.
The artwork is beautiful.
Mary L.
December 10, 2013 at 2:01 pmThe “n” in patient is upside down I think……….?
Michelle Wilson
December 11, 2013 at 2:28 pmWow, even after you said that, it took me 3 scrolls back to examine before I saw what you mean. What a good eye you have, Mary L. Kristi, I love this project. The background looks almost spatter painted. What the canvas a little nubby and that’s what made the rough texture? I’m not creative, but I’m a good copy-er. But you take it to a whole new level. Again, thanks for sharing!
Kathie
December 10, 2013 at 2:21 pmWow, Kristi! This is gorgeous, amazing and so creative!
Khadija
December 10, 2013 at 3:05 pmThat’s really cool. I think you should paint the edges of the letters to make them pop out.
Karen Jorgenson
December 10, 2013 at 3:37 pmFantastic Job Kristi! I never would have thought to use photos. Great idea.
Ginger
December 10, 2013 at 4:43 pmSo cute! And I love the personal touch of the neighborhood photos.
Nola
December 10, 2013 at 9:38 pmReally like this look! You have sooooo many good ideas and I love seeing what you come up with next!
Nancy
December 10, 2013 at 10:55 pmI really like the artwork you created using your printer, great job, Kristi!
ERIKA
December 11, 2013 at 12:06 amThat’s a neat idea Kristi.
Bonnie
December 11, 2013 at 8:09 pmthis is great! Its so pretty and unique. I’m going to try my hand at this also.
Jessica Sala-Bonin
December 12, 2013 at 5:32 pmLove this! Cool, cool project!