I love using photos to decorate my home {especially if they are of my cute kiddos!} and am always looking for fun and creative ways to display them. These DIY canvas photos are so easy to create and can easily be customized any way you like!
Materials
- a 12×24 canvas
- 4 5×5 canvases
- Mod Podge {matte}
- Glue {I like Quick Grip}
- acrylic paint
- a vinyl quote or words {or some letter stencils and paint!}.
To Do
- Paint your large canvas whatever color you would like. If you would like a border in a different color, use painter’s tape to tape off the edges and then paint your second color along the edges.
- Paint the edges of your smaller canvases extending slightly into the front of the canvas. Trim photo to fit the canvas.
- Apply a thin layer of mod podge to your photo as well as to the front of the canvas making sure that you are getting all of the edges and corners. Lay your photo over the canvas. Smooth out your photo {I like to use a roller for this}. UPDATE: Lightly sanding the edges of your photo {just sand down along the photo} help to make the photo blend even further into the canvas.
- Glue the small canvases onto the larger one.
So easy! These would also make wonderful gifts for special occasions such as weddings, holidays, or baby showers!
Anna says
YOU COULD ALSO USE VELCRO TO ATTACH THE MINI PHOTOS THIS WAY WHEN YOU WANT TO UPDATE THE PHOTOS ITS EASY AND SIMPLE.
Jenn says
I did actually try that but I didn’t like that you could see the Velcro from the sides. Definitely a good option though if you wanted to be able to change things up!
Susan Rowbottom says
Would love to try this. Did you use vinyl letters or did you stencils and paint? Did you put a coat of mod podge over top of photo or just back of photo & on top of canvas? Are photos like those printed at Walgreens or are they printed on photo paper by laser printer? Sorry for so many questions just want to avoid mistakes. Thanks so much for sharing!
Jenn Lifford says
I used vinyl on this one but have used stencils and paint too on other ones I didn’t put mod podge over top and haven’t had any trouble with pealing. If you are hanging it in direct sunlight though the mod podge over top may help to protect your photo. The photos were just printed at a regular photo developing place – just make sure to get a matte rather than a glossy finish. Hope that helps!
Vicki says
hi, I love love this canvas project. I want to make a beach theme for my daughter in law this weekend and one for my daughter the day she has her baby. I am confused though. Your directions never say how you adhered the vinyl and could you tell me where you found the individual words. Thank you
Jenn Lifford says
The vinyl is self-adhesive. I used my silhouette machine to cut out the words. If you don’t have a Silhouette you can either use regular stickers or paint/stencil on the lettering.
Vicki says
So do you think if I used the regular vinyl lettering they sell on line I could lay it on a painted canvas and than mod podge over the top? I don’t have a silhouette machine and the letters aren’t self adhesive..
Jenn Lifford says
Yes, that should work too! 🙂