{Almost} Free Christmas Art for Our Gallery Wall
My project this weekend was to Christmas-ize the gallery wall in our family room. It is usually a forgotten zone at Christmas time, but after getting a few ideas from Young House Love’s new book, I decided to use their idea #143 to “find free art”.
{The gallery wall also uses their ideas #117, #130, #142 and #144, but I won’t give too much info out. You’ll just have to get a copy of their book for yourself. You can thank me later!}
My first “free art” project idea was to make a chalkboard drawing on the magnetic chalkboard that I usually keep our Instagram gallery on. If you want to see my tutorial on how to make a magnetic chalkboard and Instagram gallery, just click over to here.
I am trying out a free trial of Photoshop Elements, so I played around with some fonts till I got the wording into the shape of a Christmas tree. The fonts that I used were Franchise, Handy George, and Mercury Script. The ornaments I used are Bergamot. I cropped the image into four sections and printed it out on my computer.
Once I taped the image together, I rubbed chalk on the back of the paper. I laid the image on the chalkboard surface, traced over the lettering, and then filled in the transferred outlines with chalk. Diane from In My Own Style has some useful tips in her tutorial on how to decoratively draw chalkboard art.
Here is the completed chalkboard! I’m little addicted to Photoshop Elements now. I think it’s a keeper!
My second free art project was a framed Christmas image that I printed on burlap. I found the Christmas image and the tutorial on how to print on fabric from Graphics Fairy. This project was free (for me) because I already had the frame, burlap, card stock paper, adhesive spray and masking tape. (I ironed the wrinkles out of my piece of burlap before I began.)
I cut my burlap to the same size as a piece of heavy card stock paper and adhered it to the card stock with spray adhesive in a well-ventilated area. To make sure that the glue was fully dry, I pressed it with a hot iron. To prevent the burlap strings from getting hung up in the printer, I trimmed any excess off the sides and put a piece of masking tape along the top edge that would feed through the printer first.
I printed the image on the burlap the same way you would print on a piece of paper, by laying the card stock/burlap face down. After the image was printed, I pressed it with the hot iron again to set the ink.
I removed the masking tape carefully so I wouldn’t unravel the fabric. I popped the image into the frame with the card stock still attached.
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I added couple more things to the entertainment center…branches from our arborvitae trees, ornaments and pine cones fill a metal bowl.
I spotted the berries from a Heavenly Bamboo Nandina bush, so they found a home in a wine bucket with some more arborvitae branches.
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By the way, welcome to my new WordPress website! I couldn’t have done it without all the hard work that Sara of Moonsteam Designs put into redesigning the blog and moving me over from Blogger!
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I’m linking up to these fabulous blogs:
LOVE the burlap print idea! My sister’s present came in the mail today, and I can’t wait to buy some burlap to try the frame idea you sent me. And I know what I’ll be doing with my extra burlap 🙂 Thanks Tricia!
Your chalkboard looks fantastic!! I love the idea of transferring the image onto the burlap! Great tip! Love your blog and a new follower. 🙂
Thanks for the tip on transferring an image with a hot iron. I’m going to try that one today! I LOVE your style and helpful hints. Thanks for sharing!
I love the new layout, it looks fabulous! I have been thinking about purchasing that program myself…..I’m going to download the trial right now!
I found out yesterday that Amazon is selling Photoshop Elements for $50.00 with free shipping! Here’s the link: http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-65193986-Photoshop-Elements-11/dp/B0093FROMA/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
I love how you did your chalkboard. I usually just stare at mine trying to figure out how to make pretty things on it. 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
Kelly
I wish I had done this when I did my youngest sons’ bedroom chalkboard wall. I tried to use a projector but gave up and free-handed it. This way would have been much easier!
Wow, Tricia – the new design is wonderful! And man are you quick on the draw – new design after only blogging a few months? 🙂 Anyway, wanted to let you know I enjoy getting your updates and seeing your projects and that I thought all your work that went into the new look paid off!
Oh! And I’m SO doin’ this chalk transfer on my entryway chalkboard plaque I made – thanks!
Thanks, Jami! I wish I had made the move sooner! I’ll consider it my Christmas present to myself. 🙂 I enjoy following you also. I’m especially loving the cookie recipes you posted recently and can’t wait to try some of them out!
Love both of these, and congratulations on your “move!” The new site looks great!
Thank you, Carla!
First of all, i LOVE the new layout! Your blog looks stunning!!! I can tell a lot of work went into this 🙂
Second, LOVE this project! That is an awesome way to transfer chalk.
Thanks for linking up 🙂
Thanks for hosting the party! And I’m glad you like the new blog! I’m sure I’ll be coming to you for questions on WordPress down the road because there’s lots to learn, but I’m loving it so far!