Winter = Crafting

I love this time of year.  It really makes me want to start crafting.  After a long summer of feeling like I should be outside doing something constructive, late fall and winter are a time to spend time inside working on projects that have been put off for too long.

It’s also a time to try out new craft project ideas for gifts.  I found a new website, www.pinterest.com, that has tons of wonderful ideas for DIY crafts.  Below is one that I found last week that I thought was worth a try.

Here are the ingredients:

A blank painter’s canvas, a piece of fabric, a staple gun, clear contact paper, a cricut machine, and black spray paint.

Start with the blank canvas.  I chose a 12 x 12 frame.  It was a good size to start with.

Select a piece of fabric cut large enough to cover the canvas. Quilter’s fat quarters work perfectly for this size canvas.  They are pre-cut and definitely make it easier than having to wait in line to get fabric cut.

Using the staple gun, cover the canvas tight with the fabric.

Now find a quote or saying that you like.  Due to the size of the canvas, it was important to find a short quote or saying in order for it to fit.  Using the cricut and the clear contact paper, cut out the letters and any other shapes.  Lay the letters and shapes out on the canvas to insure the fit.

Once the layout is to your liking, peel off the back of the contact paper and stick the letters and shapes directly onto the fabric.

In a well ventilated area (per the instructions on the can) lay the signs out and give them a coat of the black spray paint.

I found that it took two coats of paint.  I did not want to overdo it on the first coat and soak the fabric so I did two lighter layers, letting the signs dry for about 45 minutes in between the layers.  I also brought them inside for about 24 hours before the final step.

After everything is dry, peel the letters off the fabric.  I quickly learned that the contact paper letters tended to flake the paint off while I peeled. 

Tada, project complete.

Here are a few lessons that I learned from this project:

I used flat spray paint.  I think I would try a shiny finish next time.

Make sure that the letters and shapes are firmly pressed to the fabric to keep overspray from going under the letters.

This project took longer than I anticipated.  It was four days from start to finish with making seven signs at once.  I took about an hour and a half per sign to cover the sign, cut out the saying, and adhere the letters to the fabric.  It definitely was worth waiting the 24 hours to confirm that everything was dry before peeling the letters off.  Using the sale prices at the local Michaels craft shop, each sign cost about $5.00 a piece.

Now it’s on to the next project.  Christmas cards are coming out of my ears, but you can’t see them just yet.  I don’t want to spoil the surprise for anyone.