Pimp my walls
Does anyone else remember when there used to be a lot of, “Pimp my…” shows? Pimp my ride. Pimp my garage. Monster House (basically, Pimp my House). This isn’t that extreme. But for a space that can’t have nails, this is great! Get a stack of canvases, in large sizes. As many as you can afford, and go crazy!
My original idea was for anyone who is moving into a dorm this fall. I made a bunch for my daughter and she loved them.
As for me, you all know I love my quotes! We (I say “we” as if I am helping. I’m not. I’m watching. And critiquing.) are almost finished with my new kitchen. The kitchen I have been dreaming about for years. And planning for two years. It’s almost done. Like, I can lean forward and look at it. The fridge and the double oven are working but the range and hood are not. The water flows but the cabinets and counters are still dusty. There are a million little things to be finished and I am impatient to move in!
So I decided to do a little painting. A couple of weeks ago I went to the thrift store and found a frame that (I think) will match my new kitchen perfectly. Because the size is 11in x 14in, I went to a craft store to get a canvas that will fit. The only problem (and it is only a problem because I need something to take my mind off of my new space) is that this craft is super easy and super fast. I made it last longer by taking pictures, but I was too impatient to make it look amazing. Sorry about that.
Needed: canvas, acrylic paint, paint brushes*, transfer paper (can be found at craft stores or ordered online), paper plate or foil, and something to elevate the canvas (a block of wood/a paper plate flipped over/etc).
Optional: paint pens, frame or command strips
*You can find inexpensive canvases, paint and paint brushes at discount stores. I was surprised by that. Also, craft stores often have them on sale or you can use a coupon from their website. I use them a lot, so I invested in paint brushes that were a little more expensive than basic. But still not too pricey. Because I’m cheap. Excuse me, I’m thrifty.
I used a trash bag to protect my work space this time. I often buy plastic tablecloths in the clearance section to use for painting.
A cool frame I found at the thrift store, perfect for my kitchen.
Command strips are great for areas that cannot, or you would prefer not, use nails (ie temporary housing, apartments, dorms).
Print out the words you want to say in the font you like. Play around with the size. My canvas is 11in x 14in so printing on regular paper is fine. It’s ok to print on several sheets of paper, just lay it out to see if the font size is perfect.
*If you are printing really big letters, change the font to be just an outline. So you don’t waste ink.
Not a requirement, but if you are going to paint the sides of the canvas (I recommend it), have something to lay it on while drying that will keep it slightly elevated while drying.
Paint the canvas and let dry. In the past, I have gotten impatient and not waited. But it messes up the transfer process.
Also, if not doing white, I recommend at least two coats of paint. But it really depends on the look you’re going for.
Cut off a piece of transfer paper. Side note: you can buy these in square sheets or a roll. When I bought the sheets, I got multiple colors. That was helpful. I try to match the color slightly, but still so I can see it.
Turn the transfer paper over so that when you write on it, it will show up on the canvas. I chose yellow so it’s easier to remove at the end. I’ve used a color like red before (it’s possible), but it’s harder to remove off of a white background.
Lay your printout on top, paying attention to where you want it on the canvas. I wanted this one centered.
Go over all of the words with a pencil, pressing down slightly, but not so hard that you rip the paper. It doesn’t take much pressure to transfer onto the canvas.
If using a paint pen, you have to shake it well then press lightly on the tip to get the paint flowing. These are great because they are easier to hold (at least for me). The bad part is that sometimes (it’s rare, but it does happen) when you press the tip, a whole puddle comes out. I’m cheap (ahem, thrifty), so I still use it. I just dip the end in the paint (like a quill) and use it that way.
If you do get a paint pen, make a few marks on a paper plate (or a piece of foil) to get a feel for how it works.
If you don’t want to bother with a paint pen, I highly recommend paint brushes that have the angle. I use pens and brushes both, depending on how big the project is. And trust me, the angle makes it easier. BUT, it isn’t required.
I tried to enlarge the photo to make it easier to see the yellow transfer on the canvas.
When getting ready to paint, lay a piece of paper over the bottom. Otherwise, you will get marks on your hand and smear the transfer.
Go over the transfer with your pen or paint brush.
Once I was done, I realized I liked the look of the original print-out. So I went back and made the letters thicker.
Let it dry completely! Then, wet a paper towel and very carefully dab the spots that still show the transfer.
All done!
Seeing how it looked in the frame
Sitting on my counter. A reminder to say “yes” every once in a while…
Christmas is a great time to paint some cute signs.
My Christmas prints have command strips on the back so I can hang them every year without putting another nail in the wall. (And yes, I know the tree is missing a red ornament. I’m trying to decide whether to paint it or tie a real one on.)
Prepping the wall in 2019 to paint. I can’t believe how many holes had to be filled!! It was at this moment I decided to switch to command hooks and strips.
I first started doing the transfer method on wooden signs that I made. I wasn’t in love with my freehand, so I printed out how I wanted it to look. Super easy, barely an inconvenience!
This is my absolute favorite!!
This goes up October 1 every year and it makes me smile the entire month!
I did a craft show one year and people kept asking if I had any “No Soliciting’ signs. I didn’t. One lady asked if I could do a custom order. She sent me exactly what she wanted, so I painted it. She never picked it up.
I made the next ones for my daughter while in a college dorm. She loved the color teal, and I liked using several different shades. Each one looks a little bit different.
Because it was for a dorm room, and they couldn’t paint the walls, I did several pieces that had no words. My daughter loved that it was almost like having an accent wall. I like the look of these, kind of water-stained. If you don’t like that, just do more coats of paint.
I put two command strips on the back. Honestly, one would be completely fine. I just tend to adhere to the saying, “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth overdoing.” But that’s me. ;-)
Lastly, if you don’t like when I cuss, just go ahead and close the page…
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I’ll wait…
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Seriously, I don’t want anyone to be shocked or faint…
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Only one picture left…
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You’ve been warned…
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Last chance…
Ok… I love, love, love this last one!
You know I’ve been through some shit. But the thing is, despite the fact that I tried so hard to protect my daughter, crappy things have happened to her too. Really really shitty stuff.
When she went away to college, I wanted her to remember that she still had some control over her future. I wanted her to remember to continue to put one foot in front of the other until she was through. She needed to be tough.
To be completely transparent, though, shitty stuff happened at college too. Really really shitty stuff.
As we packed her apartment to leave for the last time, I stopped and stared at the sign I had made. Yes, unfortunately there are shitty times yet to come. But at that moment, I wanted her to be proud that she made it. I wanted her to take a deep breath, pat herself on the back, and keep going.
She had done it!
She had made it!
She is tough!
Words of wisdom from a mom who, quite honestly, cusses too much.