DIY Artwork That You Can Make Today

A few weeks ago, we replaced our attic floors.

We had the kind of attic floors that made you question eating that second cookie before stepping on them for fear of falling into the abyss of whatever lies beneath, so replacing them was a should-have-done-that-first kind of project.

A should-have-done-that-first because that means that everything that was in that little attic – that teeny space that magically holds massive amounts of stuff –  had to come out.

So there was my husband’s work space, teeming with what had spilled out of that tiny room. I would paint a picture for you, but all I need to do is reference the TV show Hoarders and you know exactly what I’m talking about.

What I have to tell you is that he is a super hero for putting up with it, because after we replaced the floors, we left all those mountains of junk in his office and raced off to start our One Room Challenge project. So for weeks, he walked to his desk every day as if he were trying to win a million dollars on an obstacle course on Survivor!

But do you want to know one good thing that happened from all that chaotic mess?

I found this treasure!

Once upon a time, in a studio far, far away, we made these ‘sound panels’ to help soundproof our music room.

I had taken an old picture and covered it with batting and rust colored silk.

It was our orange phase. If I could insert an emoji, it would be the monkey covering his eyes. Orange was my sons favorite color, and may still be, and everything was orange. Orange shirts, orange drinks, and it obviously influenced our decor choices.

So this was sitting, all lonesome, in the attic.

I unwrapped this fabric covered picture as if were Christmas and gasped when I saw what was underneath.

Waves of memories rushed in.

This paper stock over press wood picture is 15 years old, when I first attempted to dip my toe into the design world with all the french themed decor. You know… the wine prints, the juggling Pierrot clown, the French Provence feel, the Paris decor. I had it all!

It was a time of awakening in my creativity with hours spent watching the Christopher Lowell show, or Trading Spaces – all who empowered my inner DIY spirit.

Which brings me to this treasure.

When I saw this dusty and discarded, stored away for later piece, I knew I could use it to create some amazing DIY artwork for my Master Bedroom Makeover.

I love the hand painted signs I see everywhere on etsy and instagram, but our budget had to go to our big ticket items for our makeover and I knew I could try to create one of these for myself by flipping the painting over and using the inside of the frame.

I started by finding a saying that I wanted to wake up to every morning.

I love this verse that perfectly tells the start of the love story and is the right fit for this room.

“You have captivated my heart with one glance of your eyes,” 

Song of Solomon 4:9

I found a font that I loved and printed out the words and trimmed each piece.

I wanted this piece to not be a focal point, but to blend into the background, so the font I chose was a simpler one.

And just as it happens time and time again, this project wouldn’t be the same without some kind of goof – which was my paint.

As I started painting the inside of the print and noticed these chunks. My paint was obviously old and had dried up, but do you know what?

I totally dig the textured look!

After it dried I drew a very faint line to place the words. You can barely make it out in the pic below.

Next I drew a line under each word to line up on the print.

Following the same trick I used for my DIY Pallet Sign, I turned the words over and shaded the back of each print out.

This acts as a transfer when you trace the words.

Line up the words with your faint line you started with.  I used paper washi tape to hold the piece in place since it’s not super adhesive.

All you do is simply trace each letter, leaving a template for you to use when you paint the words.

Now if you are a rockstar with mad painting skills, then I truly admire you! But I admit that I do not have that gift, so you can do what I did and use a paint pen, or a permanent marker.

Like I mentioned before, I wanted this to be a subdued piece, so I used a fine tipped permanent marker, like this one (affiliate link for your convenience – read my full disclosure here)

It was sooooooo easy!

I traced each word, wrote over it with the marker, and lightly erased the guide line.

And here’s the result!

Isn’t that so neat?

I painted the edges with black to match the black accents in our Master Bedroom and hung the picture with a strong piece of twine.

All the supplies for this project I had on hand, so this was free for me! (happy dancing)

But you could find a similar type of picture at a garage sale or thrift store and easily recreate this DIY artwork for yourself.

I would be tickled pink if you head over and let me know what you think of my Master Bedroom makeover and all the other projects we completed to make this room sparkle.

And if you are inspired to make one of your own, please, please let me know – I’d love to celebrate your creativity!

 I love to share with these wonderful friends.