Clean and Scentsible

Canvas Sign

In my mudroom post yesterday, I promised a tutorial on how to make the sign that I had up on the shelf.  So here it is!
I saw this subway sign from Tatertots and Jello and loved the quote and the left justification of the letters.  I decided to use canvas instead of wood for my sign.  Our local dollar store often gets in cheap canvases and I always stock up on a few.  This one is 12 x 16.  
MATERIALS
  • canvas
  • black and white paint
  • paint brush or sponge brush
  • sanding paper
  • scrapbook paper (2 coordinating papers)
  • black ink
  • 2 and 3 inch circle punches for the flowers (or draw your own circles)
  • 2 buttons
  • vinyl or stencils
  • glue or double sided tape
INSTRUCTIONS
There are basically three ways {and probably more!} that you can do the lettering on the canvas depending on what materials you have on hand.  I’ll start with how I did mine but I will describe the other ways that it can be done at the end.
  • Paint your canvas black.
  • Cut out your vinyl saying on the Silhouette and, using the negative space, adhere it to your canvas.  Make sure that the edges of the letters are pressed down firmly.  If you don’t have access a vinyl cutter, you could use letter stencils.
  • Paint over the vinyl letters with white paint.  I did 2 coats of paint on mine.  You could use more if you wanted more of a solid white colour.  I liked having a little bit of the black showing through.
  • Once the paint is dry, peel away the vinyl.  You can use a black sharpie to touch up any areas that the paint has bled through or if you would like the edges of your letters to be a little sharper.
  • Sand over the front of the canvas and along the edges.  
I think the method I used was probably the most time consuming but it gave me the look I wanted.  To save a huge amount of time, you could just cut out your vinyl letters (using the positive aspect), attach them to the painted canvas and be finished.  I didn’t do this because (a) I didn’t have any white vinyl and (b) I wanted more of a shabbier look.  
The other option is to adhere the vinyl letters (using the positive aspect) to an unpainted canvas.  Paint over the entire canvas using black paint and then remove the letters revealing the white canvas below.  The only thing to note with this is that you won’t have the option of using your sharpie to correct any mistakes.
For the Flowers:
Using two coordinating scrapbook papers, cut two 3 inch circles (one of each pattern) and two 2 inch circles (one of each pattern).  I distressed the edges of mine with this little tool from Making Memories.
It just roughens up the edges of the paper a bit {you could also use the sharp edge of your scissors}.
Flower One: Crumple up the 3 inch circle.  Unfold and distress the edges and creases with black ink.  Cut small “V’s” in the 2 inch circle to form your flower.  Make sure that you do not cut all the way into the center.
Repeat around the entire circle.  Ink the edges of the circle and slightly fold the petals forward to add a little dimension.  Add a button to the center.
Flower Two: Repeat the cutting procedure above for both the 2 and 3 inch circles.  Stagger them on top of each other and add the button.
Attach the flowers with glue or double sided tape and you are finished! A cute sign to give you a little morning smile!
Have a great day!
I have linked up with Eighteen 25, A Beach Cottage, Paisley Passions, Katie’s Nesting Spot, Delightful Order, The Blessed Nest, The Stories of A2Z, Shanty 2 Chic, Polly Want a Crafter, I Heart Naptime, Under the Table and Dreaming, Be Different Act Normal, Funky Junk Interiors, Tatertots and Jello, Whipperberry, Craft Goodies, Tidy Mom, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Night Owl Crafting, The Shabby Chic Cottage, Somewhat Simple, Christina’s Adventures, Lil’ Luna, Blue Cricket Design, Tip Junkie, Today’s Creative Blog, The Tattered Tag, Skip To My Lou, Keeping It Simple, The Girl Creative, Craft-O-Maniac  DIY Showoff, and CRAFT. 
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Comments

  1. This sign looks great, thanks for sharing a fab tutorial! I’m still trying to get some signs done to put up around my home, so much inspiration around!

    Reply

  8. very cute! I love how you did the lettering. I have some canvas’ I need to do something with and this gives me some ideas. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  18. I’m visiting you from the Creative Girl BlogHop! You have some awesome ideas on here! I love this sign! I can’t wait to look aroudn some more. I am your newest follower!

    Reply

  27. love this! wonderful statement & the way you did it is so smart.

    on another note…the thing you used around the edges & that sharpen scissors…my grandma had a similar tool years ago. i’ve been looking for something like it for years…seriously.

    going to see if i can order one.
    thanks for linking up to the SPRING FLING!

    kellie

    Reply

  30. Super adorable!!! The colors you chose just make the sign “pop”! Thanks for linking up to Thrilling Thursday @ Paisley Passions. I hope you stop by again soon 🙂

    ~Lori @ Paisley Passions

    Reply

  31. Thanyou for this fantastic tutorial i love your blog and have followed you for awhile but only recently started blogging myself. I have been inspired and had ago at making some and put a link back to your tutorial on my blog.
    cat xx

    Reply

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