Wednesday, May 2, 2012

DIY Personalized Word Art Paintings


It's my very good friend's birthday today, which also happens to be my oldest friend as well. We have been friends since 1983... Whoa, that's almost 30 years! Happy Birthday Suzie!!!

So for Suzie's birthday, I thought I would surprise her with one of my paintings. For a while, I used to sell them on my Etsy store, but now I just make them for friends and family. Suzie had mentioned she would like me to paint some word art for her a while ago. I normally would ask her for a whole bunch of words that she would like that described her and her family. I'll make her subway art painting for next time when I know what words she would like. But, since I wanted it to be a surprise I thought instead of making the typical subway art type painting, I would make it look like a word search. The circled words would be her family names. I love how it turned out. I hope she will too!

DIY Personalized Word Art Paintings by ilovedoingallthingscrafty.com

Here is how I make my word art paintings. I've seen many different ways of doing this on Pinterest, so I thought I would share how I make mine.

The first thing you want to do is decide on your words. I use my Silhouette to out my word, fonts, layout. I then cut out my letters. Instead of using vinyl which is expensive and you are just going to discard it, I use contact paper. I then remove the letters from the contact paper leaving behind the negative of the letters.


Next, prepare the canvas. For this project, I chose a 16X20 frame. I like to wet down the canvas first just with water and roll it on with a foam roller.


Now it's time to give your canvas some color. I used acrylic paints. Give the canvas at least 2 coats of color.


Once the canvas is dry remove the backing on the contact paper and as straight as possible lay it on your canvas. Try to smooth it out as much as possible.


Time to start painting in your words. For this painting, I used a foam brush and dabbed the paint on a little at a time. In the past, I have just a foam roller to roll it on. (If the contact paper isn't very tacky, it's probably better not to use a roller, or the paint might bleed under your stencil)


This is what it looked like prior to the big reveal.


For this painting, I just freehanded the circled words.


Once all the paint has dried I give the painting a protective clear coating with a paint sealer. 

Here are a few more of the paintings I have made in the past for myself, friends and family. Enjoy!

DIY Personalized Word Art Paintings by ilovedoingallthingscrafty.com


DIY Personalized Word Art Paintings by ilovedoingallthingscrafty.com


DIY Personalized Word Art Paintings by ilovedoingallthingscrafty.com


DIY Personalized Word Art Paintings by ilovedoingallthingscrafty.com


DIY Personalized Word Art Paintings by ilovedoingallthingscrafty.com


Hope you've enjoyed my word art paintings! Maybe I've inspired you to make your own!

Thanks for visiting,

25 comments:

  1. Those are really nicely done. I was thinking of doing something like that for Mother's Day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Sarah, I'd love to see yours if you end up making one... so much fun!

      Delete
  2. These are so cute! I love the crossword puzzle idea. Thanks for sharing over at The Winthrop Chronicles!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Very cute! I love how they look and the crossword idea is great! I am a new follower or yours! Would you consider sharing this project at my party?
    http://www.thetaylor-house.com/2012/05/taylor-house-thursday-7.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Chrissy! Definitely will be joining your party, and following you as well... thanks for the invite! :)

      Delete
  4. Very fun idea! I've featured you on Craft Gossip today :) http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/word-search-art/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow, Thanks so much for the feature Amada! How exciting :)

      Delete
  5. I found you through the Craft Gossip article--I want to be sure. You hand cut out each letter from the contact paper before you place it on the prepared surface, correct? Then paint them in?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Terri, the letters were cut with my Cameo first (electronic cutter) then yes filled them with paint. Hope that helps! :)

      Delete
  6. Hey Ilda! We just love this fun idea! Thanks so much for linking this up at our party!

    I wanted to let you know that we FEATURED you on our Naturally-Nifty Party this week!

    Stop by and pick up our button and check out the post, and link up to this week's party! Also we pinned this to our Pinterest Board!

    http://natural-nester.blogspot.com/2012/05/naturally-nifty-linky-party-14.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks ladies, so cool to have one of my ideas featured! I'll be sure to check it out! :)

      Delete
  7. I love this idea! It's so fun! I would love to have you link it up at our party.

    http://www.ourdiydiaries.com/2012/05/fab-not-drab-friday_10.html

    Jen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jen! Will definitely be linking up to your party! Thanks for visiting!

      Delete
  8. This is such a cute idea and one I have not seen! My family would b all about the word search! Thanks for sharing and I am a new follower!
    I hope you have a great week!
    Michelle
    www.delicateconstruction.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Michelle! Thanks so much for following my little blog! I just linked up to your party and am your latest follower now. Have an awesome week! :)

      Delete
  9. Stopping by to let you know I am featuring you today! Thank you for the inspiration!
    Kim@madeinaday
    http://madeinaday.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    2. Thanks for featuring me today Kim! Woooohoooo! :D

      Delete
  10. This is so creative and original! Thanks for sharing :) I'm a new follower via GFC. Stop by anytime!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love these ideas! We are your newest follower! We would love for you to check out our blog.
    http://mybest-friendsblog.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Christy & Chelsie! Yup, just checked out your blog... and your newest follower :)

      Delete

Thanks so much for taking the time and leaving me a comment! I always love hearing from you and I appreciate you stopping by! Hugs, Ilda