Don't you hate it when you get to a Baby/Bridal Shower and, after having paid careful attention to the Registry procedure, find that you and three other people have gotten the Mom/Bride the same item? I sure do. That's why when my mom and I found out my aunt was going to have a baby, we searched Pinterest for inspiration for a homemade Baby Shower present.
Here was our inspiration: These cute button canvas monograms on Etsy.
I couldn't figure out how they wrapped the canvas in print, so that meant it was time to improvise.
Here's the finished product for baby Jacob's Adirondack-Themed Nursery canvases, with the tutorial to follow:
Supplies List:
-Square Canvases (As many as you want for however many initials you want) [Hobby Lobby]
-Buttons- (Whatever colors you want- I ended up buying multi-color packs and spray painting them green) [WalMart]
-Spray Paint (For the edges and sides of the canvases)
-Square Scrapbook Paper Sheets (One sheet for each canvas you're using) [Hobby Lobby]
-Craft Glue/Elmers Glue
-Mod Podge (I used Matte Mod Podge) Substition: If you don't have Mod Podge on hand, save yourself the heartache over the price tag and make some using this tutorial.
-Printing Capabilities
-Lighter/Candle/Paper-Burning Apparatus (If you desire to have burned edges like I did!)
Scissors
Step 1: Take the pretty white canvases outside and spray paint the sides and top edges. Dry according to manufacturer's instructions.
Step 2: Cut Scrapbooking paper down to the correct size: You can either make the paper line up flush with the sides of the canvas or cut it smaller to reveal the spray paint underneath. (Personally, I couldn't take the pressure of not cutting the lines straight, so I went with the smaller dimensions and burned edges.)
Step 3: If you desire the paper to have burned/torn edges, do so now. See the end of this post for edge-burning tips.
Step 4: Attach the scrapbooking paper to the top of the canvas using a liberal amount of tacky glue, especially on the edges of the paper. Allow to dry completely.
Step 5: Apply two coats of Mod Podge over the entire canvas- top, edges, sides, etc. Allow to dry completely. Tip: Is your scrapbooking paper bubbling up? Don't panic! Let it get semi-dry and begin to press the paper down with one hand on top of the canvas and the other hand behind the canvas.
Step 6: Go to your computer and find a font that you like for your monogram. Make it as large as is appropriate for your canvas and hit print. Cut out the letter and trace the outline onto your canvas.
Step 7: Cover the outline and middle with buttons. Here's two different techniques you could try:
Layered........................................................ or Not.
Glue them down and allow to dry completely.
Step 8: Cover with another layer of Mod Podge if you wish!
There you have it!
Once again, here's an okay-picture of the finished project. Just imagine the possibilities! We used natural backgrounds, black spray paint and green buttons to go with the baby's Adirondack-themed room, but any of the elements can be customized to allow for endless possibilities! The canvases allow for easy hanging (with a thumb tack if you're in a dorm room!) and a different font could give you a different' "feel" altogether!
Enjoy, friends!
