I posted about making changes to my living room here a couple of weeks back.
It's actually changed even more since then, but I'll let you in on that in another post!
So, one of the changes was adding in some subway"ish" wall art to one of the walls. I say subway"ish" since it's not technically subway art, but you get my drift ;D
I thought I'd show you how I did it since I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one in the world without a Silhouette machine. Although, there are times it seems that way! So, this is the old school way to make them :D
What you'll need:
- wood panel (I used two precut 16x36 pieces found at Lowes, want to say they were around $12 ea.)
- primer (not a must)
- paint for background
- paint marker/pen
- sand paper
- stain
- poly
- computer with printer and paper
- chalk
- pencil
- tape
- hanging hardware
STEP ONE: Prime your piece of wood. This is optional. I did it because I wanted to see some of the gray primer show through when I distressed it.
STEP TWO: Paint on your background color and let dry.
STEP THREE: Using your computer, print out the wording you want. I was looking around Pinterest for ideas (Ummm... ADDICTING) and found inspiration from a print by Made By Girl that I thought would be perfect. I used Microsoft Publisher and created a custom sized page design to match the size of my pieces of wood (16"x36"). After I played around with font size and layout, I changed the font to an outline form so that when I printed it out I didn't waste a bunch of ink.
Line up and tape together your sheets of paper.
STEP FOUR: Flip the paper over and rub the entire backside with chalk.
STEP FIVE: Position the paper on the piece of wood and trace around the words with a pencil.
Remove the paper and you will have a chalk outline of your words.
STEP SEVEN: If you'd like, distress the edges and lightly sand over the front of the entire piece. To give it a little more of an aged look you can dip a paper towel into some stain and rub it over the front and edges.
STEP EIGHT: Apply a thin coat of poly and let dry.
STEP NINE: Attach hanging hardware. I took mine off an old mirror I wasn't using.
STEP TEN: Enjoy!!!
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Posts
Love it! Confession: it took me a second before I figured out what the words were. Maybe I shouldn't blog stalk late at night. :) But once I figured it out...LOVE IT! I'm a new follower!
ReplyDeleteBrie from darlingdoodles.blogspot.com
That turned great! I don't have a Silhouette either and I often feel like the only one. :)
ReplyDeleteBrilliant tutorial and ideas. I just finished up something similar, but yours was so much more organized and sensible. Plus it came out perfect. Great job!
ReplyDeleteso cool,.thnks for this,.
ReplyDeleteThat's gorgeous! Thanks for the great idea! I'm stopping by from the Tuesday Confessional link up.
ReplyDeleteBest,
Emily from Nap Time Is My Time
Super cute! I don't have a silhouette machine either!! This was perfect! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteVery cute! might just use this tutorial myself.
ReplyDeleteThese turned out great!! love the idea:)and your blog looks so cute...I'm going to become your newest follower!!
ReplyDelete-Adriane @ fruitfulhomejournal.blogspot.com
TOTALLY LOVE IT... Such an amazing idea.. and you've made it look so so simple!! Thanks for linking in.. :-)
ReplyDeleteWow, this is amazing! You did a great job!
ReplyDeleteStacy
You are so great at instructing in a clear way. I'm so impressed with these!
ReplyDeleteThis was a great lesson. I don't have a Silhouette, either.
ReplyDeleteGreat tutorial! Never could figure out how someone could paint in the lines that well. Prob solved. Love the signs.
ReplyDeleteShelly, You did a masterful job! I love how professional it looks! I would love to make a couple of signs with all the cities we have traveled to . Wonderful idea!
ReplyDeleteYvonne
Those are great! I am trying to figure out where I can put one in my house if I make one. Good idea with the chalk and paint pen!
ReplyDeleteWow, that is amazing! You did a brilliant job with this piece.
ReplyDeleteHave you pinned a picture about it? I'd love to check out your Pinterest boards! I am so addicted to it and I even host a weekly pinning party on the weekends. Please pop by and check it out if you 5 minutes to spare.
Best wishes and great job!
Best wishes,
Natasha.
Great 'Tut' I've been wanting to try some subway art. . .Yours looks
ReplyDeleteawesome.
You have inspired me with your cleverness! Please show and tell
the rest of your room sometime!
Sue
What a great project! You are so creative!
ReplyDeleteHave a great day.
Pam
Great! I have been addicted to pinterest too! I am totally going to do one of these signs but I don't have a cricutter or anything else like that soooooo this post was timely and very clear! Awesome! Great job too by the way!
ReplyDeleteThose look awesome!! Great to see a tutorial that DOESN'T involve a Silhouette too! :)
ReplyDeletefab project, you did a great job!!
ReplyDeleteTracey
Love your signs! I made a similar one last valentine's it was a lot of fun. Yours look really cool and I like the idea of using the paint pen--thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteNice work, Shelley. When you run out of wall space in your house, you can come use mine!! :)
ReplyDeleteVery cool. I love the paint marker idea. Thanks for linking up!
ReplyDeleteShelley - you rocked it AGAIN! I absolutely love these and I really want to try making one. And, I thought I was the only one w/o a Silhouette!
ReplyDeleteThis is very cool - and educational because everyone in your house can learn those words in every language! I want to make this one.
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome...and such a cool way to share the "love"!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea!! They look beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteVery well done. It looks great! I, too, am "Silhouette-less", and make signs almost exactly like you do...although, I never thought of a paint pen. What a great idea! Where do you buy them?
ReplyDeleteGreat tutorial! I love these!!! I'm with you - no machine here so I love your idea. They turned out beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThat looks so awesome...I can't believe you free handed that!!! You are amazing, girl, I'm thoroughly impressed (c: But definitely not confident enough in my own abilities to actually attempt it myself...but that is another story for another day! ha! Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteamazing...I cant believe you wrote those words...I hope you will link up with me here:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thegingerbreadblog.com/2011/08/sweet-saturday-v2.html
Using a paint marker is an excellent idea. I love how these turned out. Well done.
ReplyDeleteGreat tutorial...THANKS
ReplyDeleteRene
Fantastic, thanks for the tutorial. Visiting from TT&J
ReplyDeleteLove the two hanging side by side! They look great!
ReplyDeleteGreat Tutorial! I love the chalk part....Thanks!
ReplyDeleteLooks wonderful - I've had a bored like this laying around for just this purpose. I am definitely going to start it this weekend...or maybe next weekend:)
ReplyDeleteNew follower
These turned out great! Thanks for sharing ur secrets, i plan on making one of these soon, after dreuling over the hight priced ones in Ballard Designs, not that long ago. I remember thinking as i studied them. "I can make that", LOL, now i know that for sure. Still trying to figure out what graphics i want on it though........Stop by for a visit if u get time........now ur follower, Bonnie
ReplyDeleteThese look wonderful!! I may have to do some for my house! :)
ReplyDeleteNice job! Those look great. You are too smart with the chalk trick:) And FYI the changing table isn't for me, it's a client. No more babies over here!
ReplyDeleteThis is just fantastic!! I have not tried the chalk method and really need to get my hands on some of those paint pens! :o) Thank you for sharing it with us. :o)
ReplyDeleteSincerely, Trish
love this! what great tutorial and it looks fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI would love it if you would share this and/or any other projects you have been up to at Tuesday Talent Show at Chef In Training Tomorrow! Plus there is going to be a fun giveaway too! Thanks so much and I hope to see you there!
-Nikki
http://chef-n-training.blogspot.com/
Love that you used several languages! That'll be something for the little one to learn as she grows older! Thanks for sharing on Fancy This Fridays!!!
ReplyDeletethe different languages are so fun! Thanks so much for linking up to Tuesday Talent Show! I would love to have you stop by and link up again tomorrow with more great projects!
ReplyDelete-Nikki
http://chef-n-training.blogspot.com/
lol You are not the only one that doesn't own a Silhouette. I'm another and that's exactly why I found your site. I was looking for how to make subway wall art without a machine.
ReplyDeleteSo, I'm very glad to have found a way that doesn't look tedious (as in cutting out every single letter).
Your wall art looks great!
Thanks for inspiring me! I made a present for my dad using your method! :) I am new to writing a blog, but I posted some pics if you're interested. :)
ReplyDeleteNice posting, what I am exactly searched is available in your website. Thanks Bye
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this! I don't have a silhouette machine either :(
ReplyDeleteHey! I absolutely love this creation! And I'm so glad you used Hungarian word too, but let me correct that word :) "Love" is in hungarian means "Szerelem", "szeretet" rather means "affection" :) Keep up great work! Greetings from Budapest, Hungary (Üdv = Hey)
ReplyDeleteHello! What font did you use and how did you get the a and e to "stick" together in kaerlighed? Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI can't for the life of me remember the font I used, but the A and the E is a symbol you can find by clicking on insert symbol in your tool bar. Hope this helps!
Delete