Saturday, April 21, 2012

Canvas my way!

Since moving into our new house, I have been completely obsessed with decorating the walls.  As much as I would love to go raid Homegoods (yes, that is the ONLY place to buy fine wall decor*wink*) every time I went I would walk out empty handed.  Although, it was a great excuse to get out of the house for a few hours.  I started to scour Pinterest for inspiration.  Everything had monster canvases of families and children.  I totally fell in love with that idea, but after looking up the cost of what I would need for the areas I wanted I was looking at close to $600.  Uhhhh, I don't care who you are that is a lot of mollah to drop on a picture that I am going to want to change in a few years, or maybe even months?  
So I just did a google search.  I ended up punching in something like "affordable quality poster prints." I checked out a few links but then I came across Vivyx Printing.  After going through the site, and testing a few uploads to see how is all worked I decided I was going to try it!  I did get a first time offer, but looking at the site now I think that changes.  I always check Retail Me Not before ordering anything online.  It's a habit of mine.  So, check that out first to see if you get a deal.  
I ended up ordering 2 24x36 and 2 16x24*.  The total cost was $55!!!  I had bought a 24x36 empty frame at an antique store for $10, so I knew I wanted a print to go with it.  I had a canvas that I was saving for a rainy day in 24x36, and a 2 pack of canvases in size 16x20.  They cost me about $10 with coupons I had.  They shipped out in about a week and a half later.  I could hardly stand the wait wondering if they were going to be super grainy, stretched looking, or if the colors were going to be off.  They were PERFECT though!
Then  came my brainstorming on how to get them on the canvas and in the frame and such....

Well.....adhesive spray is my new best friend!  We had it laying around from out stencil the wall days. You can pick it up at a craft store for about $4 though, sans coupon.  


First you will want to trim some of the edges, if needed.  Since the prints I got were a little larger, obviously I needed to trim them.  I used a box cutter with a straight edge after measuring exactly where to cut.


Here is my best friend, spray adhesive.


You will want to spray the back of your canvas with a light layer of the adhesive.  I just did lines across the whole thing focusing on the edges.  It dries in about 2 minutes. 



Proof the canvases were cheap.  $7.99 + 40% off coupon...yes, please!


After the adhesive dries, simply place it on the canvas.  This is the kicker!!  If you mess up lining it up, peel it off and place again.  If you decide you want to change out the picture with a different print, but another print and replace for cheap!!!  I like this part the BEST!


Can't you hear my girlie's giggles <3


Here are my 16x20 prints.  This space is a work in progress...but I still wanted to share.


Here is the antique frame I found for $10.  Instead of mounting it to a canvas, I just stuck it right to the wall!  If you are going to do this BE SURE that you don't spray your adhesive too thick, because it may peel the paint when you remove it.  


Seriously!!!  I LOVVVE!

Since my best friend and I were having so much fun, I decided to go crazy on a vintage map I purchased for $15 from a salvage store.  It was bright, so I bought it!  I sprayed that puppy up with the rest of the can.  It's a great touch to my daughter's 'homework station'.

(you can click on the picture to view larger in the picture viewer)

Last but not least.  I got this for $20 just a few weeks ago...yes, talked them down another $10 off the $30 ;)  So I will be getting some 8x10s soon to spray and stick right on the glass!  Probably Instagram pictures :)

Hopefully you can get use out of this tutorial.  Canvases are great, don't get me wrong.  They are protected forever from elements such as light and dust.  Just because I didn't want to spend that money, doesn't mean you shouldn't.  This is just my alternative :) 

*when ordering your prints, please read through the FAQS so that your print is at the best quality possible.  all of my prints were printed at 'very good' on satin paper with no cropping.  you will understand all of that when you order.

15 comments:

  1. love this! You do a great job, and way to go on thinking for yourself and being frugal! yay :)

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  2. I'm not crafty at all. I NEVER do crafty things, but this I just might have to do because I, too, am sick of bare walls and can't afford bought canvases. Thanks for the How To! http://www.tanastable.com/

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  3. thank you ladies! it literally took me minutes to do, minus trimming the edges. anything i can spray and stick to my wall better watch out ;)

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  4. Love this idea!! Husband had a question though, what finish did you get on the prints? If you got glossy, how did you press and smooth the picture without getting fingerprints on it? Thanks for the great alternative!!

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  5. I got them on a satin finish and when uploaded they sat at the 'very good' meter, and that was uncropped. you will understand that when you are ordering. look though the faqs on the website so that you can make sure the photo you are uploading will be printed at it's best. they have great customer service and if your print doesn't print correctly they will contact you before shipping it!

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  6. Love this idea! Thanks for sharing it and for sporting my button! Your shop is awesome!

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  7. Thank you! I am so flattered :) I love your blog as well, and I can really relate on a bunch of things I read! Thank you for stopping by :)

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  8. Is the 16x20 without glass? I love this post! I just looked into canvas prices because I want some large pictures on my bedroom walls but was shocked at the prices! When you get the instagrams printed let me know the best way to get those printed too! I have really been wanting to get more pictures off my computer/phone and into tangible prints!!

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  9. No, it doesn't have glass. Since I like to change things up so often, and I am constantly taking the girls pics and getting them taken the protection wasn't really important to me PLUS it would have just added to the cost.
    Here you can get a cool poster print of instagram pics.
    http://printstagr.am/
    or you can get regular prints here
    http://fineartamerica.com/create-art-online.html

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  10. I'm wondering... does it have the same look as when a photo is printed directly on canvas? That texture? If not, what is the advantage of doing it this way?

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    1. No, not at all. The only advantage is that is that it costs muchmuchmuch less than buying a canvas, and you can switch out the print for $25. I get nothing but compliments when people visit my house :)

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  11. Love your blog and ideas! The name most especially stands out because it is exactly how I spell my name! :) (which I don't see too often) Thanks for the tips on creating these wonderful pictures!

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    1. Thank you Laynie! Actually, my daughter is Alayna...then there is Annabelle. So it is there names shortened. The funny thing is, we don't even call them that ;) It's my inspired by them business name.

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  12. Love this! And, I have the exact same clock in my living room to the right of my fireplace, too. Love it!

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    1. that clock was a wedding present <3 i dont think i could get rid of it ;)

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