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Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Family Subway Art

   If you've jumped into blogger-wonderland lately you're sure to have noticed all the fun subway art projects out there. I love all the holiday ones that are out there, and have plans to make a few of those as well, but first wanted something I could display all the time. 

   I've had an 18x24 inch canvas sitting in my "TO FINISH" pile for quite sometime and decided to finally put it to use. I wanted a bit of a textured-look to the background so I used a stain. Minwax in mahogany to be exact, and I just wiped straight down the canvas.

While that was drying I set to work making  the list of words I wanted to use. I thought I had a really good, long list until I ran out of words and still had about 1/3 of the canvas still to cover. So my advice is list way more words than you think you will ever use!

I cut the words from vinyl on my Cricut. I just played with the sizing, fonts and placement. The words I wanted to really stand out are bigger, longer phrases are smaller, our names are the only words in blue, etc.

In the end I am really happy with how it turned out. My girls think it is "super cool" too. The only down fall was it took a really, really long time. So if you are looking to make one yourself, let me help you out. Here is the list of words/phrases that I used on my project:
Our Last Name
est. 1996 (year we were married)
mine and my hubby's name
each of my daughter's names
together
forever  
adore
home
special
you & me
sweetheart
support
kisses
traditions
happy
mom
dad
XO
cherish
family
faith
nurture
sisters
friends
fun
hugs
blessings
memories
one of a kind
laugh
joy
and LOVE!


 I tried to think of words that applied to my specifically to my family and then to a family in general. Quite sure I missed a few good ones but hopefully this can help you get your project going! Have fun! 


4 comments:

Donna said...

This is such a super project! I love it. This is just one more reason I must have a Circut! It's on my wish list. Thank you so much for sharing this and for listing all those sweet words!

Unknown said...

I just came across this from another blog and I have to say I am in love with this art project. I can't wait to do it. THank you so much for sharing how you did this. YOu are an amazing artist.
Jamie and mom of 3 wild boys!

Unknown said...

I am in the middle of trying to finish this project.... however... I am having trouble with my vinyl liking to stick to my transfer tape more than the canvas... did you have this trouble? Could it be that it is an oil based stain? My transfer tape too sticky? I am new to vinyl... and this is my first time using transfer tape... so.....

BTW... I LOVE this project.... mine is looking SOO good... I can't wait to get it done!

Unknown said...

Rachele-

First, I'm so glad you're trying this,I have to say I love mine too! It's one thing I've made that my husband actually volunteered to hang up-that's saying something...

on to your question and hopefully an answer.

I didn't have that problem with this project, but I have with others. I've found it to usually be my transfer tape is to sticky. You can substitute clear contact paper(shelf liner)for the transfer tape-it isn't as tacky and releases easily.
I did put a scrap piece of wood under the canvas when I rubbed down the vinyl {before removing the tape} so that the canvas wouldn't stretch and my vinyl would "grab" hold better.

Also, just fyi, if you're not already doing it, tranfer tape removes better if you pull it back diagonally from a corner and kind of rock it back and forth. And go slow! This is just me, but I have never had good sucess with the transfer tape sold for the cricut. It's way too sticky for the vinyl. I actually buy my masking from a printing company here in town. It comes in huge rolls, in various widths,and is perfect for the vinyl put out by cricut and silohette. If that's not a possibility for you, give the contact paper a try, it's never failed me either.

Good luck, let me know if you run into any other problems and send me a picture when you're done, I'd LOVE to see it!

Wendy

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