1. I'm a photographer (although my craft photos don't show it...but check out my website or my blog if you want proof!)
2. I'm a strapped-for-cash newlywed
3. I love decorating.
4. My mother is quite brilliant when it comes to helping with said decorating.
And now the backstory:
As my mother was helping me get settled into my new apartment before the wedding, she was also using her keen eye for decorating to come up with ideas. She noticed a couple of my photos I had framed and hanging in a previous apartment and noted that several of the colors would look really good in our dining room...but they should be bigger, and they should mainly accentuate the colors of our dining room. Now here's a question for the crowd. Have you ever purchased and over-sized, mounted canvas print? If yes, you see my problem. If no, let me enlighten you. They are gorgeous, but they are NOT cheap. I did not have the $200 minimum (if there are good sales) that it would require to get these 4 images blown up and mounted. I was going for something in the 16x24 size range. The company I use for printing my professional images charges $100 per canvas for a 3/4" thick mount that size. Sadly, that was not happening. So I had to come up with plan B, and that's how this craft was born.
Here's what I used:
(I did this project in stages, so there won't be a supplies picture--sorry about that!!)
--20"x30" art foam core board
--Large poster prints from Staples
--Loctite spray adhesive (foam-safe)
--Mod Podge
--Paint brush
--Wire
--Glue
--Measuring tape
--Pen
--Break-off blade safety knife
--Scissors
--Plastic sheeting
I based most of my sizing off of the foam core board. Since it's 20"x30". I decided my pictures would be 15"x20". Staples was having a 50% off posters sale so I wanted to jump on that before it ended! I could have gotten 4 medium sized posters (18"x24") on sale for $9.99 and then just trim the edges. OR I could put 2 pictures in one image, and print 2 large posters (24"x36) on sale for $13.99 and cut them in half and then trim the edges. Save $12? yes please!
I started by editing my pictures to highlight the colors I really wanted to showcase in my dining room. Then I went into Photoshop and created a new document that was 24"x36". I then copied my images into that new document and made sure each one took up half. Then I uploaded those images to Staples and ordered my posters. With shipping and tax, it cost me about $40.
While waiting for the posters to arrive, I did some prep work. I measured, marked, and cut my foam core to the sizes I wanted using my safety blade.
I also cut some wire and twisted it into a circular shape and then glued it to one side of the foam. This will be how we hang the pictures! I highly recommend using a tape measure here to make sure you get your loop centered unless you like your pictures to hang lopsidedly. (Note: I had to look it up to make sure that was a word. It is, and it may be my new favorite word.)
Once my posters arrived, I started by cutting them in half so I had my 4 separate images.
Then I placed the poster over the foam just to get an idea of what portion of the picture would show. Then I kept the foam in place, flipped it over, and traced where the foam should go when I actually glue them. I new that would make the placement process a LOT easier!
Next I put down my plastic sheeting and gave the back of the poster and the front of the foam a good solid spray with my adhesive. Let it sit for about 30 seconds before you start trying to apply the two to each other.
This is where having the outline is helpful...I just grabbed the foam and lined it up with the top line I had traced earlier, but I did not stick the whole thing on there!
Once I had the top little section in place, I flipped it over and slowly pressed the poster against the foam. I just really didn't want any air bubbles or anything like that.
Once I had the front firmly in place, I flipped it back over. (Be careful not to just put it face down where you had sprayed the adhesive...you don't want the front to get all sticky!) I pressed the edges down as if I were wrapping a present so the edges of the poster didn't show. You can cut down some of the excess if you prefer, but I wanted my poster to cover the edges of the foam so it would be more like a gallery wrap.
Once I was done, I hung my pictures on my dining room walls. My husband and I really love that extra vibrancy that they bring! And for a lot less money than actual canvas.
This would also be a great project for family pictures, wedding pictures, or anything else you would like to display at a large size! What do you think is the best way to use this project? Feel free to let me know in the comments! Love y'all!
-Kittye
Then I placed the poster over the foam just to get an idea of what portion of the picture would show. Then I kept the foam in place, flipped it over, and traced where the foam should go when I actually glue them. I new that would make the placement process a LOT easier!
Next I put down my plastic sheeting and gave the back of the poster and the front of the foam a good solid spray with my adhesive. Let it sit for about 30 seconds before you start trying to apply the two to each other.
This is where having the outline is helpful...I just grabbed the foam and lined it up with the top line I had traced earlier, but I did not stick the whole thing on there!
Once I had the top little section in place, I flipped it over and slowly pressed the poster against the foam. I just really didn't want any air bubbles or anything like that.
Once I had the front firmly in place, I flipped it back over. (Be careful not to just put it face down where you had sprayed the adhesive...you don't want the front to get all sticky!) I pressed the edges down as if I were wrapping a present so the edges of the poster didn't show. You can cut down some of the excess if you prefer, but I wanted my poster to cover the edges of the foam so it would be more like a gallery wrap.
Once I was done, I hung my pictures on my dining room walls. My husband and I really love that extra vibrancy that they bring! And for a lot less money than actual canvas.
This would also be a great project for family pictures, wedding pictures, or anything else you would like to display at a large size! What do you think is the best way to use this project? Feel free to let me know in the comments! Love y'all!
-Kittye
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