A post of firsts.

This is my first subway art. This was my first project using my new Cricut. This is my first post {on this blog} that is not a picture of my baby.

Because my camera is on the fritz I only have this {crummy} cell phone picture of this project and none along the way but I can write out what I did and give you some tips I learned along the way.



Supplies

• Canvas or piece of wood
• Paint for background color
• Mod Podge {get a big jar because there are a million things you can do with this stuff}
• Cricut or Silouhette OR Printer & scissors, OR stickers
• Cardstock or Vinyl

 Step by Step

• First I created a 'rough draft' using Microsoft Publisher {Word or another program could work too}. I knew I wanted to have the happy couple's last name, their wedding date, wedding location {which was also the location that they met} along with some wedding/love sayings. The groom rides a motorcycle which inspired the quote on the bottom.

• I could have {and almost did} order this in a print, put it in a frame and voila, gift done. But I really wanted to try out my Cricut and I wanted it to be larger so I printed this out as inspiration.

• **Important Note** Double & triple check spelling of names, locations and accuracy of dates. In my inspiration print I spelled the couple's last name incorrectly and thankfully double checked it before gluing down the letters onto the canvas.

• Paint background color for your canvas/wood. I used acrylic paint and one coat was enough.

• Using my printout as a guide I started cutting my letters. There were some that I had to redo in a smaller size and I had to edit out some of the phrases and move things around but I was able to get most of it in. If you don't have a cutting machine you can print your letters in mirror image so the front is free of ink and cut them out by hand. Or to save you time you can use stickers.

• If you use cardstock for your letters you'll want to glue them down with Mod Podge {AFTER all of your words/phrases are cut and you've determined your layout} then cover with 3 or 4 coats of Mod Podge {letting each coat dry completely between application}. If you've used vinyl follow the directions for application and you're done.

• **Other Ideas** You can use the negative from your letter cut outs for some of the phrases, you can use the negative as a stencil. Vinyl letters can also be used as a stencil {paint entire canvas the color you want the letters to be, apply vinyl letters, paint entire canvas the color you want for the background, remove vinyl letters}. 

Have fun with it!

Linking to:

I {Heart} My Crafty Cutter

 

Sew Darn Crafty