Crazy Wonderful

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typography wall art – tutorial

I posted about making changes to my living room here a couple of weeks back.
It’s actually changed even more since then, but I’ll let you in on that in another post!
So, one of the changes was adding in some subway”ish” wall art to one of the walls.  I say subway”ish” since it’s not technically subway art, but you get my drift ;D

I thought I’d show you how I did it since I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one in the world without a Silhouette machine.  Although, there are times it seems that way!  So, this is the old school way to make them 😀
What you’ll need:
  • wood panel (I used two precut 16×36 pieces found at Lowes, want to say they were around $12 ea.)
  • primer (not a must)
  • paint for background
  • paint marker/pen
  • sand paper
  • stain
  • poly
  • computer with printer and paper
  • chalk
  • pencil
  • tape
  •  hanging hardware
STEP ONE:  Prime your piece of wood.  This is optional.  I did it because I wanted to see some of the gray primer show through when I distressed it.
STEP TWO:  Paint on your background color and let dry.

STEP THREE:  Using your computer, print out the wording you want.  I was looking around Pinterest for ideas (Ummm… ADDICTING) and found inspiration from a print by Made By Girl that I thought would be perfect.  I used Microsoft Publisher and created a custom sized page design to match the size of my pieces of wood (16″x36″). After I played around with font size and layout, I changed the font to an outline form so that when I printed it out I didn’t waste a bunch of ink.

Line up and tape together your sheets of paper.

STEP FOUR:  Flip the paper over and rub the entire backside with chalk.
STEP FIVE:  Position the paper on the piece of wood and trace around the words with a pencil.

Remove the paper and you will have a chalk outline of your words.

STEP SIX:  Use a paint marker to trace and fill in the words.  Let dry.

STEP SEVEN:  If you’d like, distress the edges and lightly sand over the front of the entire piece.  To give it a little more of an aged look you can dip a paper towel into some stain and rub it over the front and edges.

STEP EIGHT:  Apply a thin coat of poly and let dry.

STEP NINE:  Attach hanging hardware.  I took mine off an old mirror I wasn’t using.

STEP TEN:  Enjoy!!!

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Comments

  1. The Doodler says

    Love it! Confession: it took me a second before I figured out what the words were. Maybe I shouldn't blog stalk late at night. 🙂 But once I figured it out…LOVE IT! I'm a new follower!

    Brie from darlingdoodles.blogspot.com

  3. Miranda says

    Brilliant tutorial and ideas. I just finished up something similar, but yours was so much more organized and sensible. Plus it came out perfect. Great job!

  8. Adriane says

    These turned out great!! love the idea:)and your blog looks so cute…I'm going to become your newest follower!!

    -Adriane @ fruitfulhomejournal.blogspot.com

  16. Natasha in Oz says

    Wow, that is amazing! You did a brilliant job with this piece.

    Have you pinned a picture about it? I'd love to check out your Pinterest boards! I am so addicted to it and I even host a weekly pinning party on the weekends. Please pop by and check it out if you 5 minutes to spare.

    Best wishes and great job!

    Best wishes,
    Natasha.

  17. g.suzie says

    Great 'Tut' I've been wanting to try some subway art. . .Yours looks
    awesome.
    You have inspired me with your cleverness! Please show and tell
    the rest of your room sometime!
    Sue

  19. Kelsey says

    Great! I have been addicted to pinterest too! I am totally going to do one of these signs but I don't have a cricutter or anything else like that soooooo this post was timely and very clear! Awesome! Great job too by the way!

  22. Michele @ {Primp} says

    Love your signs! I made a similar one last valentine's it was a lot of fun. Yours look really cool and I like the idea of using the paint pen–thanks for sharing!

  26. paige says

    This is very cool – and educational because everyone in your house can learn those words in every language! I want to make this one.

  29. ritajoy @harbourbreeze says

    Very well done. It looks great! I, too, am "Silhouette-less", and make signs almost exactly like you do…although, I never thought of a paint pen. What a great idea! Where do you buy them?

  31. Aubrey {All Things Bright and Beautiful} says

    That looks so awesome…I can't believe you free handed that!!! You are amazing, girl, I'm thoroughly impressed (c: But definitely not confident enough in my own abilities to actually attempt it myself…but that is another story for another day! ha! Have a great weekend!

  38. Big D and Me says

    Looks wonderful – I've had a bored like this laying around for just this purpose. I am definitely going to start it this weekend…or maybe next weekend:)

    New follower

  39. The Hopeless Romantic says

    These turned out great! Thanks for sharing ur secrets, i plan on making one of these soon, after dreuling over the hight priced ones in Ballard Designs, not that long ago. I remember thinking as i studied them. "I can make that", LOL, now i know that for sure. Still trying to figure out what graphics i want on it though……..Stop by for a visit if u get time……..now ur follower, Bonnie

  42. notes of sincerity says

    This is just fantastic!! I have not tried the chalk method and really need to get my hands on some of those paint pens! :o) Thank you for sharing it with us. :o)
    Sincerely, Trish

  46. Elisabeth says

    lol You are not the only one that doesn't own a Silhouette. I'm another and that's exactly why I found your site. I was looking for how to make subway wall art without a machine.

    So, I'm very glad to have found a way that doesn't look tedious (as in cutting out every single letter).

    Your wall art looks great!

  47. Angie says

    Thanks for inspiring me! I made a present for my dad using your method! 🙂 I am new to writing a blog, but I posted some pics if you're interested. 🙂

  50. Vick says

    Hey! I absolutely love this creation! And I'm so glad you used Hungarian word too, but let me correct that word 🙂 "Love" is in hungarian means "Szerelem", "szeretet" rather means "affection" 🙂 Keep up great work! Greetings from Budapest, Hungary (Üdv = Hey)

  51. Anonymous says

    Hello! What font did you use and how did you get the a and e to "stick" together in kaerlighed? Thank you!

  54. Erin says

    This is so cool! We just moved from Ohio to Richmond and I might do one board of each state and the famous things about each. 🙂 So cool.

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