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Do It Yourself Wall Art

teristazko by teristazko

Step by Step Tutorials on How to Make Wall Canvases & Decorative Wooden Letters

Wall art is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to decorate a home. There are many forms of wall art I love to create, such as decorative wooden letters to fun and whimsical wall canvases. I love creating wall canvases because it allows me to be creative and customize art to compliment my home. Check out some of the way you can learn how to make wall canvases with scrapbook paper and crayons. You will also learn how to make decorative wooden letters with rhinestones and scrapbook paper. These are great do-it-yourself wall art projects!

Step by Step Wall Canvases with Scrapbook Paper

Step #1

Do It Yourself Wall ArtYou will need:

4 wall canvases (any size)...I used 8x10 canvases
4 pages scrapbook papers...I cut paper 7.5 x 9.5
Foam brushes
Mod Podge (Matt Finish)

Cut the scrapbook paper slightly smaller than the canvas. I cut the paper approximately a 1/2 inch smaller than the canvas on all 4 sides . Don't bring the paper to the edge of the canvas...the paper has to be slightly smaller than the canvas. I highly recommend a paper cutter like the one below.

Note: if you don't cut the scrapbook paper slightly smaller than the edge of the canvas, air bubbles will get under there and the scrapbook paper won't stick to the edges as well.

Step # 2

Wall Canvas with Mod PodgeBrush Mod Podge with a foam brush on the canvas and the back of the scrapbook paper. Then put it on the canvas. Scrape out all the air bubbles. There is a great tool you can buy to scrape out the air bubbles, but you can use cardboard or anything else around the house. Just make sure not to scrape too hard or too much or it will mess up the scrapbook paper.

Step #3

Wall Canvas with Mod Podge on Scrapbook PaperApply a layer of Mod Podge to the back of the scrapbook paper. Then put the scrapbook paper on the front of the canvas. Once the scrapbook paper is in place, apply thin layer of Mod Podge to the top of the scrapbook paper.

Let it dry for 15 minutes.

Final Step

Wall Canvas with Mod Podge on FrontApply another layer of Mod Podge to the front of the scrapbook paper and let it dry. While it is drying, check on it periodically to make sure there aren't air bubbles. You will probably see a few air bubbles. If the air bubbles are small they won't show when it completely dries.

Let it dry completely and hang them. I don't put picture hangers on the back of the canvases, but you can, if you prefer.

ITEMS NEEDED TO MAKE WALL CANVASES

Mod Podge

I highly recommend this product to anybody who does crafts. I probably use it on 90% of the crafts I create and think it is the best invention since sliced bread.
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Blank Wall Canvases

I used the 8x10 canvas on the wall canvases I showcased on this article. It's a great size.
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Paper Trimmer

I highly recommend a paper trimmer. It gives it a much more professional look. I rarely use scissors because this is easier and it really does make the edges look much smoother.
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Scrapbook Paper

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Another Scrapbook Wall Canvas

Scrapbook Paper Wall CanvasThis is another version of the wall canvases made with scrapbook paper. It's basically made the same as the wall canvas above, but I layered the scrapbook paper. It is also very easy.

Line up the two different scrapbook papers on the top and bottom and then put a little strip of scrapbook paper over the seam of the other two pieces. Although it is difficult to tell in the picture, I staggered the scrapbook paper sizes to give it a more whimsical appearance. If you prefer a more symmetrical look, then make all of the scrapbook sizes the same. I think it looks nice both ways.

Easy to Make Wall Canvases with Melted Crayons

Do It Yourself Wall Art with Melted CrayonsYou will need:

Blank wall canvas (any size, your preference)
Elmer's glue (Elmer's Craft Glue dries much faster)
Box of Crayons
Hot hair dryer or hot craft dryer

Put the crayons in the order of your color preference.

Then glue the crayons to the canvas, let the glue dry.

Hold the canvas upright, but slightly tilted.

Turn the dryer on the hottest setting and let it melt the crayons. You may want to tilt the canvas to the right or left to get it the way you want it to look.

This is so easy and the kids love it. I am a leader for my daughter's Girl Scout troop and all of our girls did a melted crayon wall canvas. They were all so different and they all looked great! My daughter talked about it for days.

You can leave the crayon paper on or take it off. If you are going to leave the paper on, I recommend using Crayola crayons. I think it looks nice with Crayola.

Here's Another Version of the Melted Crayon Wall Canvas

Melted Crayon Wall CanvasThis wall canvas is made the exact same way as the one above, except the crayon wrappers are removed.

Note: The crayons on this canvas were heated with a hair dryer, so they didn't melt as much as the one above that was heated with an actual craft heat dryer. The craft heat dryer gets hotter than most hair dryers.

ITEMS NEEDED TO MAKE MELTED CRAYON CANVASES

Crayola Crayons

If you are keeping the wrapper on the canvas, I would use Crayola crayons, because Crayola is considered one of the best brands for crayons.
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Hot Dryer for Crafts

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Step by Step on How to Make Wooden Letters with Scrapbook Paper

Step #1

Decorative Wooden LetterYou will need:

Wooden letter
Scrapbook paper - 2 pages
Rhinestones
Ribbon
Mod Podge
Elmers glue
Fabric glue
White spray paint
Pencil
Foam brush

Completely spray paint the front, back and sides of letter. Let it dry.

Step # 2

Tracing decorative wooden letterStack 2 pieces of scrapbook paper above the other. Turn the "S" backwards and trace with a pencil the outline of the letter. Cut along the inside of the pencil marking so the scrapbook paper doesn't hang over the edge.

This is the back of the scrapbook paper, which is going to go on the front of the letter.

Step #3

Decorative Letter with Mod PodgeThen I used Mod Podge to adhere the scrapbook papers to the wooden letter (with a foam paint brush). I also put Mod Podge on the top of the scrapbook paper to seal it.

NOTE: I pour a portion of the Mod Podge in a bowl. This way if you get paint or something in the Mod Podge, it doesn't ruin the entire container of Mod Podge. Plus, the opening to the Mod Podge is not very big.

Step #4

Cut Ribbon to Fit Wooden Letter Then put the ribbon on top of the wooden letter and then cut it to fit. I used fabric glue to glue the ribbon on to the wooden letter. I originally used Elmer's glue to adhere the fabric on the scrapbook paper, but it didn't lay flat so I took it off and glued it with fabric glue. Much better!

Final Step

Adhere Rhinestones to Wooden LetterThen use Elmer's Glue to adhere the rhinestones around the border of the letter "S". This is the final product. The Elmer's glue works great, but craft glue is much stronger glue. However, I think Elmer's glue is sufficient for this project.

How to Make Wall Art with Wooden Letters & Rhinestones

Do It Yourself Wall Art with Wooden LettersYou will need:

A big wooden letter (I got the "K" from Hobby Lobby)
You will need rhinestones (I bought a bag of them from Hobby Lobby)
Mod Podge
White primer (optional)
White spray paint
Elmer's glue

I first primed the "K" and let it dry. You don't have to prime it. This step is completely optional...I just think it looks more even, especially on the side.

I let the primer dry and then took it outside and I spray painted the "K" with white spray paint (any brand will work).

I place the rhinestones on the "K". I like to put them on the "K" before I glue them on so I can see if I like the arrangement.

Once I got the rhinestones in the placement I liked, I then glued each rhinestone in place with Elmer's glue.

Let it dry completely.

Your letter is ready to display. These letters are so easy to make and all of my daughter's friends want me to make them one.

ITEMS NEEDED TO MAKE WOODEN LETTERS

Blank Wooden Letters

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Rhinestones

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Cool Zebra Ribbon & Scrapbook Paper

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White Spray Paint

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Check Out My Top 10 Cheapest Crafts Right Here!

Great Wall Art & Canvases for Kids

Check out these precious wall canvases for kids. Wall canvases can change the appearance of any room.
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Comments & Suggestions

Thank you for taking the time to visit my Do It Yourself Wall Art lens. I would love any feedback you have to offer.

  • tembrooke May 21, 2012 @ 10:26 am | delete
    These are great ideas! I keep thinking that I ought to try something crafty for my walls. Maybe I'll experiment with one of these projects.
  • ElizabethJeanAllen May 18, 2012 @ 5:33 pm | delete
    You have some neat ideas.
  • daria369 May 17, 2012 @ 2:57 pm | delete
    Wonderful ideas for anyone who likes to be creative and decorate their home with their own crafts. Well explained, too! :)
  • favored1 Apr 23, 2012 @ 1:03 am | delete
    Some fun ideas. I especially like the crayons wall art piece. Are these all your photos of your projects? You did a good job explaining all the steps.
  • teristazko Apr 23, 2012 @ 8:58 am | delete
    Yep, they are all my projects. I do a lot of crafts with my daughter. The crayon one is a lot of fun to make. Thank you for your comments.
  • LubosLabik Apr 21, 2012 @ 4:54 pm | delete
    I will try wall art in my bedroom. It needs a new decoration. Great lens :)
  • teristazko Apr 23, 2012 @ 9:08 am | delete
    They are actually fun and relatively cheap to make. Enjoy! Thank you for your comments.
  • jenniferteacher Apr 17, 2012 @ 5:44 am | delete
    What a fun project!
  • teristazko Apr 23, 2012 @ 9:09 am | delete
    They are a lot of fun, especially with kids.
  • ItayasDesigns Apr 15, 2012 @ 2:46 am | delete
    I've thought about doing the paper on canvas but just haven't done it yet. One day I will! Great article and good job on the different steps. :)
  • teristazko Apr 23, 2012 @ 9:12 am | delete
    Thank you so much. You should definitely do the wall art...I hope you get around to it :)
  • RetroMom Apr 13, 2012 @ 5:40 am | delete
    Creative ideas. Thanks for sharing.
  • WhiteSockGirl Apr 12, 2012 @ 12:11 pm | delete
    So cool and easy!
  • Squidoo_Chick Apr 11, 2012 @ 9:29 am | delete
    Nice outcome and very original
  • artbyrodriguez Apr 10, 2012 @ 2:27 pm | delete
    These are really nice ideas to decorate a wall. Love the crayons.
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teristazko

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