photo canvas project

If your family is like my family, your budgets are getting tighter and tighter as gas, food, and other cost of living prices keep going up. With birthdays, anniversaries, and of course the holidays coming up we need to take a look at how we can give meaningful gifts, but still stay on top of our finances. Making handmade gifts is a great answer to all of this, but I also want to give something meaningful, something the recipient will treasure. And, as much as I would like to spend hours making gorgeous scrapbooks and detailed projects for everyone, I have to be realistic with my time as well.

One of the projects I had an idea to do was to make personalized photo canvases for family and friends. With all of the high costs one of the things I like to keep in mind is how lucky I am to have my family and the things that we do have. I made up a canvas of my own family to bring my idea to fruition. I love how it turned out and it has already become a part of my home decor.

I picked up a prestretched canvas at my local crafts store. The canvases come in so many sizes, I know you won't have trouble picking just the right one for the project that you have in mind! I painted a base color with acrylic paint and let that dry.

Next, I took a single polka dot from the Polka Dot Basics set and randomly stamped all over my base with white acrylic paint. For more about stamping with paint, see this newsletter post I did back in May. I did find that because of the give of the canvas, it's not easy to get a clear consistent image with a larger stamp. Using a small, simple image will give you the best results.

Next, I punched squares with my Giga Marvy Punch out of the Dark Chocolate cardstock. The edges are brushed with my white ink pad, and you will notice that I added a little white edging with acryllc paint to my canvas with my sponge brush as well.

I attached photos of my family with little clips (the pictures are cut 1 3/4" x 1 3/4".) I didn't adhere the pictures down to the squares because then I will be able to switch them out when I want to.

Before attaching the squares to the base, I adhered Spring Moss stitched ribbon and Dark Chocolate polka dot ribbon across the canvas.

Then, I attachedthe picture squares to the canvas with dimensionals.

Next, I stamped some branches to add to my project. I think most of the time when we stamp in the 2-step method, we tend to stamp the base (lighter image) first and then add the outline (darker image) over the top (I know I do.) Instead, try doing just the opposite: stamp the outline image first and then the base image over that. You will find it so much easier to line up the images!

I trimmed my branches out - I tend to trim quite close to the edges of my images, but you could easily leave a little bit of a white border to make it a little bit easier to trim.

Here's my project all put together. You will notice that I added a little "thankful" sentiment in the bottom right corner. My family is definitely something I am thankful for everyday, and now I have a little bit of "us" to add to our home decor.

It fits perfect on my photo ledge shelf! I am excited to put together more canvas projects for gifts! I know that it is something that my friends and family will love. I also think that this would be a perfect thing to have as a project night for friends. How much fun would a night of crafting and conversation be, not to mention that you will walk away with several completed gifts!

Thankful for Family Canvas Project

stamps: Rustic Branches, Polka Dot Basics (Papertrey Ink)

ink: Spring Moss, Dark Chocolate (Papertrey Ink), white pigment ink

cardstock: white, kraft, Dark chocolate (Papertrey Ink)

accessories: Spring Moss stitched ribbon, Dark Chocolate polka dot ribbon (Papertrey Ink), word window punch (Stampin' Up!), library clips (Stampin' Up!), Giga Square punch (Marvy), prestretched canvas, acrylic paints, dimensionals

Comments

[Martha]

what a great project, i love it.

[Photo on Canvas]

That's a great project. Looks like you had a lot of fun with it. I'll have to do something similar myself soon.

[Cynthia]

Wow! What a great gift/project and so versatile.

[Tara Kieninger]

Love this! Definitely one to case.

[Kay]

I love this project but having a hard time finding the size canvas you used and of course which I love. Can you tell me where you can purchase them?
Kay

[susan pichler]

ist perfekt!

So wonderful!!!

[Kay]

I love this project and want to try and make one for a friend who is having a baby soon. I cannot find the shape/size of the canvas you used here. Please give me some hints.

[stacie]

Love the idea!! I have been looking for the canvas and have not been able to find the rectangle. What is the measurement on the one you used. Also, what is the color of the paint you used. Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful talent!

[Amanda Sewell]

Absolutely ADORABLE!!!

[Tamara]

wow is wonderful!!!!

[Laura Pinto-Nguyen]

This is such an amazing project that I got inspired and went to Michael's right away to get my canvas. I have uploaded my version on my blog giving you full credit for the inspiration. If you ever have a moment, I would love to know what you think of it!!!

[Ashley]

This is GORGEOUS! Thank you so much for sharing your tutorial!

[Kim Houser]

This is awesome and just the type of project I have been looking for to begin the "dreaded" Christmas list! Most of our gift to family will be homemade this year. I like that better anyway. Keep the idea's rolling you are wonderful and such an inspiration!
Thanks,
Kim

[Erin Bassett]

Great project!

[Rita]

This is a fantastic project and a wonderful tutorial. They are on my list for gifts.

rita

[Sharon (notimetostamp)]

What a fun and inspiring project!!! I have always seen these canvas frames and have been very intrigued with them, but never bought one -- with this wonderful inspiration from you I just think I might pick one up next time!!! FABULOUS PROJECT!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

[Kelly]

I love this project. It will be great for Christmas presents for the G'ma's! Thanks.
Kelly

[Stephanie]

I was soo incredibly impressed with this project that I set out to make one of my own... I did it very similar to yours as far as placement of the word, and ribbon...

Thank you soo much for sharing your project with us!

This was fun, easy and very INEXPENSIVE to make!!

Here is my take on it!

http://scrappinghappiness.blogspot.com/2008/08/mr-personality.html

[Amanda Z]

Thanks for sharing. I need ideas for Christmas so this is perfect. Where did you get that size of canvas? Our local Michael's didn't have that size.

[kathleenh]

Awesome project Heather! You broke it down and made it look so easy. I have been wanting to do some work with canvas for awhile and now you have inspired me to do so!

[Angi]

Love this! Thanks for sharing the bit about how you weren't attaching the pics so you could change them out.

[Donelda]

Heather, this is so amazing!! Everything you do makes me go WOW and want to try it! thanks for being such an inspiration and sharing your ideas and creativity!!

[Ann]

What a wonderful gift idea! Thanks for the easy tutorial. :D

[Elaine]

Very nice!

[Michelle]

This is fabulous! Thank you for sharing.

[Avital]

Great project and beautiful, as always. Although I am not commenting very frequently, I am an avid subscriber of your blog. You are very talented and pay attention to small details.

[PaperCutting Kind of Day]

Your creation is just amazing! I love how simple it really is yet stunning! Congrats on that shout out from Card of the Week!

[Jana]

This is SO cool

[jennifer mcguire]

fantastic project!
i mentioned you on my blog today... hope that is ok!

[2littlepumpkin's mom]

I love this idea! Very Cute!

[kyky]

Thanks for this tutorial, it's seems very easy to do and such a great gift..! thanks!

[DebiNicol]

OOOH AAAYYYY! going to have to CASE this one! Fabulous!
Debi Nicol

[Charmaine]

I would love to make this as a gift for family and friends. Thanks for a great idea.

Charmaine

[Julie Hughes]

You are truly fantastically talented! This is such a beautiful idea and a great project. I love the idea of this gift, as it is meaningful. Thank you for sharing this, and the other beautiful creations you come up with

[jenn nahrstadt]

fabulous and wonderful--just like you! thanks for always searching for ways to help us create something that's practical, beautiful, and budget-conscious! i'm so doing these for a class for Christmas!

[Elaine M]

Oh WOW - I'm heading for the craft store! What an incredible idea. Thx so much for sharing

[Vivian]

Absolutley beautiful project. I do have one question though. Did you put anything on the back to hold it up, or does it stand alone? Thanks for sharing these instructions.

[Charlene Austin (Willow01)]

Wow! This is SO perfect. I just love it!

[Angela]

Thank you for such a wonderfully simple, yet beautiful, idea. I think you just might have provided the inspiration for my holiday gifts this year.

[Tracy C]

I love your canvas!!! What a fantastic project- thank you for sharing the clear and detailed directions with us :)

[QC]

Fabulous, as always! I adore this! What a GREAT gift idea!!!

[Stefanie Staniak]

Gorgeous !! This will make a Super Special gift ! :)

[Danielle]

What a great project! I love how it turned out! Thanks for the great idea!

[Susanna Boyd]

Heather, you are AMAZING and I'm so glad that you share your work!

You were the Project of the Week at CardoftheWeek.com. You can see the original post here: http://www.cardoftheweek.com/2008/08/card-of-the-w-3.html.

I did use a picture from your post, with links back to the site and the original post. I hope that is OK. Please feel free to email me if you need me to change anything.

I also have an “I was featured” on badge for you if you want it :D

Thanks again for sharing!

[rebecca]

this is lovely..I made a family "portrait" this week at the beach...and now you have inspired me to create something at home as well...thanks for allyour wonderful ideas.

Rebecca

[Michelle]

Love this!

[Geny]

Love this project Heather!

[Sharon Harnist]

Beautiful project, Heather -- love it!

[Granna on the Go]

What a wonderful personal gift this would make. I love your projects and the Rustic Branches set arrived yesterday. I see there are so many possibilities! Thanks for sharing your designs!

[Diane Cooper]

What a great gift idea! I have often looked at those canvases and wondered how to make them into a gift using my stamping supplies... Thanks for the idea, and I am going to be busy this christmas making them!
Diane