Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Photo Canvas Collages

Ever since getting a digital camera I have been terrible at printing pictures.
And by terrible I mean, I only print them if I get a frame and need a picture to put in it.
And even then, it usually takes me months to get my butt into walmart to get them developed.

Well, I decided that we really needed to showcase our pictures more and so I decided to make some canvas collages.
(thanks to my cousin Chelly for the inspiration!)

Wanna see how?
Alrighty.

Step one: Print your pictures.
Now, I know I am always a step behind in the technology dept. but did you know that you can actually email your pictures in to walmart and pick them up less than an hour later. This is very exciting news, people! (maybe now I'll print more pictures...)

Step two: Paint your canvas. I decided to paint mine this brown/taupish color. I wanted something neutral that would work anywhere in the house. (I just used Folk Art acrylic paint #472 Mushroom), but you can go crazy with whatever paint color you want.
Oh, and I only painted the sides. The rest will be covered up with pictures.



Step three: Lay your pictures out on your canvas and play around with them until you like how it looks. I decided to do three canvas because I am crazy and couldn't decided which pictures to use and which ones not to. It's like trying to decide which kid you love best. It just can't be done.
So, I made two black and white canvas and one color one... and I love them all the same :D

Step four: cut those babies up so that you have lots of fun different shapes and sizes.

Step five: (muy importante!!) take a picture of your pictures, so that you can reference it when it's time to glue!


Step six: Mod Podge baby!

Cover your canvas and the back of each picture in mod podge.
Once all your pictures are on, apply a coat of mod podge over the entire thing.
Let it dry and add another coat.

Step Seven
: Enjoy! Super easy right? My kids have had so much fun looking at them, and our baby girl especially loves pointing to the different pictures and telling me who she sees. "Papa" "Daddy" "Mommy".... so cute!

Oh, one last thing, find a wall and hang these babies up.

I found the perfect place for the color one to live... but with the black and white ones I have yet to find just the right spot...


That's right Chris, a fun night of holding these babies up while I decide where they look good awaits you!
Aren't you excited?!
This makes you want to come home right now doesn't it?!
:)

Happy canvas collage making everyone!

This post is linked to:
A Soft Place to Land "Do it Yourself Day"
Today's Creative Blog "Get your craft on"




28 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing your project. I love it! Very sweet and sentimental.

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  2. awesome work! I love the black and white ones -- and it looks like your little ones are enjoying them too!

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  3. AMAZING!!!!! I totally want to do this for people as gifts. Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!

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  4. I love this! I also have so many photos hidden away on my computer that never see the light of day. This is a great way to get many of them on display!

    I'm hosting a linky party today and I'd love it if you'd come by and link this up!

    http://mybackyardeden.blogspot.com

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  5. Oh Sara- I just love that! I would be totally scared to do this as I am not crafty at.all. Those are really amazing!!

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  6. cute project.

    my husband is a photographer which means i am the last to get any pix printed. ah well at least i'm not married to a plumber.

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  7. That is such a cool idea. They look fantastic! If you like, I'd love to link in the Daily DIY.

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  8. what a very cool idea! I have some beach photos that I've been wanting to collage, just wasn't sure how to go about it. Problem, solved! Thank you SOOO much! And I laughed so hard about your hubby's excitement in holding up frames for you to hmmm over. Glad to hear that's in someone else's house too, it causes my husband such agony :P

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  9. What a great idea - they look fantastic!! I was sitting here last night thinking, how can I put up more photos! Perfect. I cant wait to get started.

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  10. I love love love this idea! I just saw a bunch of gross painted canvasses at Goodwill. DANG. Should've grabbed them...

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  11. You don't know me but I am so glad I came across your blog for this reason. We have recently moved and my girls love and miss their friends. I am totally going to do this with pics of their friends and surprise them.

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  12. That's a great idea, Sara. Where ever you end up putting the b&w ones, my vote is that they be side-by-side. They look great together!

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  13. Super cool. Was looking for a way to use up all those old pics I inherited.

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  14. What a great idea!! I just love them in black and white. Thank you so much for sharing

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  15. Great idea! I am really bad about having pics printed. Thanks for sharing!

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  16. What an awesome idea! Thank you for sharing!!!

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  17. I saw this idea before & did it as a cute photo collage over my boys beds. I used pictures of them, us, family members. I love looking at how they've grown in such a short time.

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  18. These are so great! Instead of painting the edges, could you use a funky fabric? If you used fabric, would you use the Mod Podge over the fabric as well as the pictures? I've never used Mod Podge before, but I can't wait to get started on this project!

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  19. Hi Aubree,
    I'm sure that fabric would work perfect.
    What a great idea!
    I just might have to steal it from you, and make another one with fabric :)

    I would modge podge over it all. It dries clear so you won't have to worry about seeing it on the fabric, and that way you don't have to be all careful about just getting the m.p only on the pictures. You're going to love working with m.p, it's super forgiving and very addictive!

    Have fun!
    I would love to see it when you are done :)

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  20. I saw these over on The Idea Room and just loved them. I hope you don't mind that I'm posting this onto my blog. I think you've got great ideas, and I look forward to seeing more!

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  21. After lusting after the photos that are put on canvas for $100 plus for the larger ones I just thought, why don't I do the largest enlargement possible at costco for $9, get a frame at 50% off at Michaels, and then Hodge Podge it? So, after a google search I ended up at your website telling that it would work great. I'm not a huge fan of lots of photos on the collage but I think it could easily work for whatever your preference...thank you for sharing!!
    Lisa

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  22. I had come up with the same idea ages ago, but gave up on it when my fellow crafters told me there wasn't a product out there that wouldn't ruin your photos. I've done a lot of research online about Mod Podge, and I have found that it yellows with age. Some people have said it's good for 5 years, others 15..but regardless, I'm wary about using it on a project that I would love to hang on my wall indefinitely. Has anyone else run into this issue?

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  23. Here is given a lot of knowledgeful information about your blog and keep it up.

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  24. Can we do this with Polaroid camera picture too?

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  25. would you recommend using matte or glossy finish mod podge?

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    Replies
    1. Hey Tessa, I used matte because I prefer that finish but you could use either :)
      Have fun!

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