Wednesday, March 21, 2012

EASY Tutorial: DIY Photo Canvas

Ever come across a picture that you just KNOW is going to be PERFECT for something? Well it happened to me last weekend when I had a few pictures of S & J done and one shot instantly melted my heart. I saw it and I just knew my obsessive pinning of all things canvas was going to be put to the test because it would be such a cute picture to put in my office! Like I really need another thing at work to look at that makes me want to leave early and go kiss my munchkins, but that's besides the point.
This is a tutorial for a photo canvas. It is SUPER easy and practically fool proof! I did this on my living room floor while the kids were playing :)

The supplies are very basic and most crafters have everything already on hand! I printed the 8x10 picture from a home computer so I didn't even need to go to the store for that! I used a black canvas I found at Micheal's that made this project even easier then some I had seen before like at literally inspired's blog which is one of the original places I saw a photo canvas tutorial.

First step:
Use the mod podge and lightly coat the back of your image and then place it center onto the canvas.

Second step:
After letting the photo dry onto the canvas for 30 minutes, lightly coat the picture to seal it. Let dry for 15 minutes and coat again if necessary. I coated it 3 times.Your picture WILL look milky but don't worry, it dries clear. It DOES however, dry with streaks in it so paint it on all in one direction. I don't mind the streaks because I feel like it gives it that "canvas" look.

Third step:
Sponge your acrylic paint of choice(I mixed two colors together to make a "faded black look") around the edges of the photo.

Fourth step (OPTIONAL):
You could be done here because the canvas is black so no need to do anything else, but I wanted a more finished look so I added scrapbook paper to the edges. Take a piece of scrapbook paper and cut to fit the sides of the canvas. You can leave black showing because you are covering it with paint anyway.

Fifth Step:
Lightly coat the strips of scrapbook paper in mod podge and adhere to the sides. After drying for about 30 minutes, seal the strips by adding a coat of mod podge on top.

Sixth step:
Using the same acrylic paint, sponge all of the edges. I also added a coat of mod podge to the entire canvas as a final sealer.


And that's IT! You have a beautiful hand-crafted 8x10 canvas for less then $5.
If you have any questions, you can comment below. We would also love to see your DIY canvases you make!

NOTICE: The picture is still a little wet so the lines look pretty intense but they dry much softer. I was just on a time constraint so couldn't wait for it to dry fully :)

Jenny
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26 comments:

  1. This photo melts my heart too! They are so precious!! I am so glad you liked the tutorial and your photo canvas looks amazing! I love the added paper on the edges. So cute! I am going to share on my facebook page.

    Ginger

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  2. Did you print the picture on computer paper or photo paper?

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    Replies
    1. This picture was printed on photo paper but computer paper should work to. The downfall is the quality won't be as good but the upside is computer paper is thinner so you won't have raised edges to worry about hiding.

      Delete
    2. Did you use ink or laser print. I tried printing on normal and photo paper, but the ink turns red when applying the mod podge. Please help, I really love this project!!

      Delete
  3. I love this idea! What two colors of acrylic paint did you mix to get the faded black look? Do you think plain black would be too harsh?

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  4. Beautiful! I this same tutorial on the same blog page I think you are talking about. I am going to do this with a black and white picture of my son for Father's Day. I've been googling "distressed photo to canvas" and I've seen another method using gel medium instead of mod podge, letting it dry, peeling, and more peeling... I decided I like your way better. Seems like it is a lot more simple and you have more control.
    Anyway, again yours came out beautiful and I appreciate you sharing. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Photo Canvas Collage prints are the ideal way to display lots of your stunning images without buying masses of bulky picture frames or cluttering up the house. With the use of smartphones and readily available digital cameras, we have become a nation of amateur photographers, using Instagram to capture our favourite moments. Out of this we now have some incredible photographs we are sure to treasure forever; the problem is there are just too many of them, making the task almost impossible when
    choosing images
    to display in our homes

    ReplyDelete
  6. This post is such a great example of
    photos to canvas print

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thank you! Love this blog! I'm going to try this.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Very nice idea for making an amazing DIY Photo on Canvas the canvas you have made, it's really looking attractive. you have added great tutorial for making this, everyone can make this to follow your step, i am also want to try it shorty, thanks for sharing the tutorial.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Do you put the acrylic paint all over the picture or just the edges?

    ReplyDelete

  10. It is really a great and useful piece of info. I’m glad that you shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
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    ReplyDelete
  11. Photo Canvas Collage prints are the ideal way to display lots of your stunning images without buying masses of bulky picture frames or cluttering up the house. With the use of smartphones and readily available digital cameras, we have become a nation of amateur photographers, using Instagram to capture our favourite moments. Out of this we now have some incredible photographs we are sure to treasure forever; the problem is there are just too many of them, making the task almost impossible when
    choosing images to display in our homes

    ReplyDelete
  12. Photo Canvas Collage prints are the ideal way to display lots of your stunning images without buying masses of bulky picture frames or cluttering up the house. With the use of smartphones and readily available digital cameras, we have become a nation of amateur photographers, using Instagram to capture our favourite moments. Out of this we now have some incredible photographs we are sure to treasure forever; the problem is there are just too many of them, making the task almost impossible when
    choosing images to display in our homes

    ReplyDelete
  13. Photo Canvas Collage prints are the ideal way to display lots of your stunning images without buying masses of bulky picture frames or cluttering up the house. With the use of smartphones and readily available digital cameras, we have become a nation of amateur photographers, using Instagram to capture our favourite moments. Out of this we now have some incredible photographs we are sure to treasure forever; the problem is there are just too many of them, making the task almost impossible when
    choosing images to display in our homes

    ReplyDelete
  14. Photo Canvas Collage prints are the ideal way to display lots of your stunning images without buying masses of bulky picture frames or cluttering up the house. With the use of smartphones and readily available digital cameras, we have become a nation of amateur photographers, using Instagram to capture our favourite moments. Out of this we now have some incredible photographs we are sure to treasure forever; the problem is there are just too many of them, making the task almost impossible when
    choosing images to display in our homes

    ReplyDelete
  15. Photo Canvas Collage prints are the ideal way to display lots of your stunning images without buying masses of bulky picture frames or cluttering up the house. With the use of smartphones and readily available digital cameras, we have become a nation of amateur photographers, using Instagram to capture our favourite moments. Out of this we now have some incredible photographs we are sure to treasure forever; the problem is there are just too many of them, making the task almost impossible when
    choosing images to display in our homes

    ReplyDelete
  16. Photo Canvas Collage prints are the ideal way to display lots of your stunning images without buying masses of bulky picture frames or cluttering up the house. With the use of smartphones and readily available digital cameras, we have become a nation of amateur photographers, using Instagram to capture our favourite moments. Out of this we now have some incredible photographs we are sure to treasure forever; the problem is there are just too many of them, making the task almost impossible when
    choosing images to display in our homes

    ReplyDelete
  17. Photo Canvas Collage prints are the ideal way to display lots of your stunning images without buying
    masses of bulky picture frames or cluttering up the house. With the use of smartphones and readily
    available digital cameras, we have become a nation of amateur photographers, using Instagram to
    capture our favourite moments. Out of this we now have some incredible photographs we are sure to
    treasure forever; the problem is there are just too many of them, making the task almost impossible
    when

    choosing images to display in our homes

    ReplyDelete
  18. Photo Canvas Collage prints are the ideal way to display lots of your stunning images without buying masses of bulky picture frames or cluttering up the house. With the use of smartphones and readily available digital cameras, we have become a nation of amateur photographers, using Instagram to capture our favourite moments. Out of this we now have some incredible photographs we are sure to treasure forever; the problem is there are just too many of them, making the task almost impossible when
    choosing images to display in our homes

    ReplyDelete
  19. Photo Canvas Collage prints are the ideal way to display lots of your stunning images without buying masses of bulky picture frames or cluttering up the house. With the use of smartphones and readily available digital cameras, we have become a nation of amateur photographers, using Instagram to capture our favourite moments. Out of this we now have some incredible photographs we are sure to treasure forever; the problem is there are just too many of them, making the task almost impossible when
    choosing images to display in our homes

    ReplyDelete
  20. Photo Canvas Collage prints are the ideal way to display lots of your stunning images without buying masses of bulky picture frames or cluttering up the house. With the use of smartphones and readily available digital cameras, we have become a nation of amateur photographers, using Instagram to capture our favourite moments. Out of this we now have some incredible photographs we are sure to treasure forever; the problem is there are just too many of them, making the task almost impossible when
    choosing images to display in our homes

    ReplyDelete
  21. Photo Canvas Collage prints are the ideal way to display lots of your stunning images without buying masses of bulky picture frames or cluttering up the house. With the use of smartphones and readily available digital cameras, we have become a nation of amateur photographers, using Instagram to capture our favourite moments. Out of this we now have some incredible photographs we are sure to treasure forever; the problem is there are just too many of them, making the task almost impossible when
    choosing images to display in our homes

    ReplyDelete
  22. Photo Canvas Collage prints are the ideal way to display lots of your stunning images without buying masses of bulky picture frames or cluttering up the house. With the use of smartphones and readily available digital cameras, we have become a nation of amateur photographers, using Instagram to capture our favourite moments. Out of this we now have some incredible photographs we are sure to treasure forever; the problem is there are just too many of them, making the task almost impossible when
    choosing images to display in our homes

    ReplyDelete
  23. Photo Canvas Collage prints are the ideal way to display lots of your stunning images without buying masses of bulky picture frames or cluttering up the house. With the use of smartphones and readily available digital cameras, we have become a nation of amateur photographers, using Instagram to capture our favourite moments. Out of this we now have some incredible photographs we are sure to treasure forever; the problem is there are just too many of them, making the task almost impossible when
    choosing images to display in our homes

    ReplyDelete
  24. Photo Canvas Collage prints are the ideal way to display lots of your stunning images without buying masses of bulky picture frames or cluttering up the house. With the use of smartphones and readily available digital cameras, we have become a nation of amateur photographers, using Instagram to capture our favourite moments. Out of this we now have some incredible photographs we are sure to treasure forever; the problem is there are just too many of them, making the task almost impossible when
    choosing images to display in our homes

    ReplyDelete