(more!) DIY canvas pictures

The crafting bug hit me again and I whipped up a fabulous wedding picture display that I love! And I did it super cheap and quick too so for anyone who is still afraid to take a stab at making their own canvas prints, don't fret any more! Canvas prints are a huuuge thing right now and as most of you know, they are also a huuuge expense. They are just plain crazy expensive! And you really have to commit to the picture that you decide for them since unlike a normal picture frame, you can't simply swap out the picture and update it as the times change! Which is why I knew I couldn't go wrong picking out some wedding pictures because those are ones that we will always cherish and I want to have on display to share and remember our special day! So, let's get down to business! Here is what you will need:

- blank canvas (I got mine from Hobby Lobby in an 11x14 two pack for $5 on clearance!)

- pictures of your choice (I got three 11x14 prints from Staples for $20! and they are awesome quality!)

- mod podge

- brush

- paint (if you want to paint the edges of the canvas instead of leaving it white)

- matte spray sealant (completely optional but since I already had this, I figured I'd spray on two coats to completely seal the final picture and protect it from fading)

1. paint the edges of your canvas whatever color you would like. I chose black since I had printed out and white pictures for mine. 

2. let the paint completely dry before moving on! I painted these at night and then finished the project the next morning so the paint wouldn't run or get on the picture. After the paint is dry, add a layer of mod podge and align picture onto the canvas making sure to do it from one edge to the next to help eliminate air bubbles.

3. ok this is usually the scary part of making a canvas picture and working with mod podge that people don't like and I was leery of it at first too (but I tested out the mod podge on a smaller picture just to verify and had proof it would dry clear and not ruin the picture!) Once the picture is set on the canvas, take the mod podge and put a thin layer across the picture and make sure to get all of the edges done too - this will help seal it entirely to the canvas and prevent it from trying to peel away. The picture will look sort of "milky" while the mod podge is still wet but I promise it will dry clear and leave a perfect matte finish! 

4. once the top layer of mod podge is dry, your new awesome and original canvas picture is done! After this, I sprayed two layers of the matte sealant spray onto mine but that is optional and not something you necessarily have to do!

Here are the final products up close:

I also picked up this float frame I found on clearance at Gordman's and used the extra set of vinyl letters I got when I had ordered them for our wedding mailbox to make this center picture:

And here's how they all look put together and hanging up to help decorate our bedroom. And of course there's Paisley, being my shadow and helping to model the complete look! I love it and even Jordan was completely impressed with these pictures! I wish I wouldn't have waited to long to make these but I see some being made in the future for gift ideas for people - they are cheap, quick, and easy plus such a great keepsake!