I've been wanting some large photo canvases for the wall above our TV for, I don't know, ever. Practically since we moved in. It's been close to four years since buying this home, and the big wall behind our TV has set blank all this time. I had a really tough time justifying spending something like $30 a PIECE on the canvases I wanted…when I wanted at least 8 of them.
My friend takes amazing pictures of our family, and it's always bummed me out that I've never been able to appropriately display them. So one day, I decided I was going to figure out how to fake a photo canvas once and for all. I rummaged around the garage and found some large pieces of leftover MDF from our laundry riser project. I believe it's 3/4" thick MDF, and I asked Tim to cut me 8 12x12" boards using this leftover wood. I knew I could get 12x12 prints at Costco for $2.99 a piece, and I really liked the idea of squares, so that's why I chose this size. I cropped my photos into square shapes in iPhoto and sent them off to be printed.
Once I picked them up, I collected all my supplies: Mod Podge (not pictured here), black acrylic paint, some foam paint brushes and a whole lotta newspaper. This was a quick Saturday morning project and it really was so easy a caveman could do it.
I chose this acrylic paint, which I have no allegiance to whatsoever, it's just what I could get from Hobby Lobby with my 40% off coupon, making it cheap (though I can't remember how cheap, probably in the neighborhood of $2 or $3 and I only ended up using like 1/4 to 1/2 the bottle).
I painted all the edges of each board black to keep them from looking too much like wood boards (and also because my pictures are black and white).
I also painted up onto the front of each board in case they didn't align perfectly with the pictures (they didn't, and I think it would be impossible to make them).
Not a perfect science at all, obviously. Can be as messy as you want because this is all getting covered up.
Then I Mod Podged all over the front of these boards so that I could adhere the pictures next.
The pictures aren't going to line up perfectly, but you get the idea. You have a few seconds to push the picture around before the Mod Podge makes it impossible.
Then I put a layer of Mod Podge on the front of each picture to finish it off.
The Mod Podge got goopy on the side and I almost missed a few spots, so if you make these, make sure to smooth out the globs on every side.
I put them all on plates/books/whatever I had lying around to dry for a few hours.
And when they were done, they looked nice and pretty and mostly streak-free!
My hubby put these "picture hangers" (he calls them; I don't know if they have a more proper name) on the back of each one.
And then we used the toothpaste method to make hanging them SUPER easy (well, in comparison at least). And…voila! I am so much happier with the end result than I had pictured it in my head.
It's the perfect bold look I was going for on this wall that sat empty year after year (also: SOB! Look at that teeny, tiny newborn cutie on the upper right!)
The cost breakdown looks like this:
$1.10 per board, at 8 boards: $8.80 (hubby says it's $35 for a full 4x8' sheet of 3/4" thick MDF, and you could get 32 12x12 boards from that)
8 pictures at $2.99 each: $23.92
Mod Podge at roughly $5 or so for the bottle (I used most of the small bottle)
Acrylic paint at, let's just say $3 a bottle for 1/2 the bottle: $1.50
A couple of foam brushes: $0.60 or so
8 picture hangers at about $0.09 each: (you can get 100 for $8.75 here): $0.70
The TOTAL cost would be about $41 for 8 photo canvases, or $5 a piece! It cost me about $25 because I already had the boards, the foam brushes, the picture hangers and I used 40 or 50% off coupons for the paint and Mod Podge.
When you consider that 12x12" canvases run a minimum of $25 a PIECE, that would be about $200 at the minimum for 8 of these canvases, for a savings of about $160!
You are awesome!
ReplyDeleteI love this I'm definitely do that thank u so much for sharing your idea
DeleteTypo doing that
DeleteAs are you, my wood cutter/picture hanger :)
ReplyDeleteLove this project, and am now considering doing something similar in my home! If I do, I'll make sure to take pics for you!
ReplyDeletePlease do, Adrianne! I would love to see them!
ReplyDeleteHave to admit, I'm having a tough time figuring out how to get 12x12 prints. I even went to Costco's website, since that's the one you used, went to the photo dept, and now I'm lost! Help?
ReplyDeleteAre you a member of Costco, Adrianne? If so, log in (or create a login), upload your photos, and then when you add them to your cart, you can go into your cart and you'll see all sorts of size options below each picture. 12x12 is one of them. So you'd change the standard 4x6 quantity to 0, and the 12x12 to one. Does that help? I'll look around and see if I can find 12x12's anywhere else.
ReplyDeleteI don't really see many other places that offer it. Ritz does, but it's $18.99 EACH which makes it completely not worth it at all. Here's a thread that touches on this subject: http://www.circleofmoms.com/digiscrapping-moms/where-can-i-print-8x8-and-12x12-layouts-181690
ReplyDeleteAND this one, Adrianne: http://voices.yahoo.com/5-places-print-12x12-digital-layouts-3327948.html
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'm not a member of Costco, but I'm sure I'll figure it out! Thanks so much for your help. I am SO doing this project!
ReplyDeletethis is AWESOME!! one idea to make it more "canvas like" would be to lay a 12X12 piece of canvas textured paper over each picture right after you've applied the modge podge. remove it carefully but quickly and you should have the "feel" of canvas without the cost.
ReplyDeletecan't wait to try this!
{found you via pinterest!}
What a GREAT idea! I'm definitely trying this when I make our next "canvases" for the kids' rooms. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI think at an on line lab like MPix.com you could order the images with a luster finish, and get a texture on them as well ( I think) that way you could actually eliminate the mod podge on top of the prints :) ( I think )
ReplyDeleteThanks! Definitely worth looking into.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I can't wait to try this
ReplyDeleteDid you purchase one big sheet and then cut the boards? OR did you purchase them that size? If so where did you buy them?
ReplyDeleteWe purchased one big sheet and my husband cut the boards. I've always been told Home Depot will cut wood for you, however (maybe Lowes, too?).
ReplyDeleteThis project sounds awesome! Thank you for the cost break down also! I cannot wait to move (sometime in the near future) when I will actually have wall space and not a whole lot of windows and another things blocking pretty picture hanging space. :D This would also be a wonderful idea to make for the grandparents.
ReplyDeleteHow clever... LOVE this idea and will be making some myveryownself... Thanks for the tips!
ReplyDeleteLoved this idea so much, I made a few for my mother for Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI used an easier tip for hanging groupings (works great for pre-planning, too)
Cut paper the size of the back of canvas WITH the hanger on it, and punch a hole through the paper where the hanger is and use that hole to mark your wall.
I like to do groupings of different sizes and with some blue painters tape, you can "fake" hang the picture/paper first and play with the placements!
Just love ur idea...could you please tell what mdf is and where can I purchase it. If at Home Depot..is it in the wood section??
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for ur help...
Missy
Great idea, for those that don't want to cut their own boards, most home supply centers will cut the boards for you for a small feel. HTH.
ReplyDeleteMissy,
ReplyDeleteI noticed you had not yet received a reply so thought I could help out.
MDF is Medium Density Fiberboard, which is basically sawdust and glue. Home Depot and Lowe's both carry it near the plywood sheets. They usually have quarter sheets which are 2 foot by 4 foot an aisle or two from the big 4x8 sheets. And yes both places can cut it for you but depending on who is doing the cutting, the results may or may not be totally correct.
hey where did u get the boards though?
ReplyDeleteYour 'canvases' look fantastic! I'm definitely going to give this a try - thanks!
ReplyDeleteMedium density fiberboard = MDF. Yes it would be in the wood section.
ReplyDeleteI am so excited to see this project! I've never even owned Modge Podge (I know, I know) but I am for sure doing this!
ReplyDeleteYep, Chere knows her stuff! :)
ReplyDeleteYes, we had our original boards cut for a different project and the MDF we used was leftover for this, or we would have just had Home Depot cut the squares into 12x12". Although I have heard the cuts aren't always exact, so I'm not sure about that issue.
ReplyDeleteWe got our original boards at Home Depot.
ReplyDeleteI use persnickity prints for my 12 x 12 prints....very happy.....love the project!
ReplyDeleteThanks for chiming in! It's good to hear of another place for those who don't have Costco memberships. :)
ReplyDeleteI found this site that offers 12x12 in a variety of finishes for around $3
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nationsphotolab.com/prints.aspx
This is such a great idea! The only concern I have is fading over time, any thoughts on ways to prevent that?
ReplyDeleteclever girl
ReplyDeleteI really love this idea! I can't wait to try it...Thanks for sharing :-)
ReplyDeleteGreat idea. One question: did u have pictures printed with matte; semi gloss; or glossy finish?
ReplyDeleteHi Cindy! I really have no idea! Whatever the standard is, so maybe glossy? Semi gloss? Definitely not matte, and as long as you're putting Mod Podge over it, I don't think it matters too much. :)
ReplyDeleteSo I am going to my local cabinet maker and have him use a small router on the edges of the mdf for a smoother finish. My boards are larger so I will use 2 hanger thingeys on the back and a wire. And since my photos are not black and white I will use a coordinating paint color. Thank you for the inspiration. Love love love Pinterest! :)
ReplyDeleteThese look fantastic! Can't wait to try these and save some $'s. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI've not noticed any fading and I think the Mod Podge helps that. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering why you have to put the Mod Podge over the pictures at the very end? For a glossy finish?
ReplyDeleteHi! I'm going to do this project for Mother's Day, but I was wondering what resolution the photos should be at so that they aren't pixelated at 12x12. I've got some professional photos, but even those aren't at a high enough resolution to be blown up that big.
ReplyDeleteDo you think someone can help me out with this?
Thanks :)
Hm, not sure technically, but I used pictures that came off my camera and pictures that came from my photographer and both were totally fine.
ReplyDeleteNot for the finish as much as for more protection to ensure the picture sticks and durability of the pictures. The prevent fading, peeling corners, etc.
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome. I used this to do pictures from my daughters wedding and gave them to them for their first Christmas. They turned out great HOWEVER I cannot remember which Mod Podge I used... They have so many options. Thanks for sharing!!!
ReplyDeleteHi I liked how your "canvases" turned out. I just got doing some 4x6's for a test run. I know you used one coat on the top of the pictures do you think a second top coat is needed? And have you had any lifting of yellowing? Great job on the pictures and explanation! Thanks....Dawn ladybugtears@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteHi! Love this idea! You know what I was thinking? If you were to wrap the photos over the edges on all sides it would look more like it was a real canvas stretched over a frame! I'll have to test this theory! ;) Love the layout of your photos. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I tried something a little more costly, but great effect: bought mounted canvas frames at Hobby Lobby, and Mod Podged a large photo to it. It has been exposed to the weather (on a screened porch) for 2 years, and still looks great.
ReplyDeleteHi Dawn! Nope, I just did one coat and I've had zero lifting or yellowing.
ReplyDeleteI am doing the same thing as Melissa. I bought a 2-pack of 12x12 canvases at Michaels for 3.49 (on sale 1/2 off) and Office Max does 12x12 reprints for $4.79! I hope mine turn out as good as yours!!
ReplyDeleteWow I love this just bought wood In Home Depot and they cut it for me free. I'm doing them in 11x13 and 5x7 hope it works out
ReplyDeleteJust ran across this idea on Pinterest, but you can get 18"x24" posters for $2.97 at shortrunposters DOT com - will get you 2 12"x12" photos per sheet, making them $1.49 each (or 8 for $11.88). Great tutorial and love your finished project!
ReplyDeleteGood idea! I´ll do the same with my watercolors!
ReplyDeleteHi Melissa
ReplyDeletewWas your photos printed on normal photopaper or must it be thicker?
Just regular old photos!
ReplyDeleteHi everyone! I'm going to try this too! Not sure whether to try the mdf or the canvas.
ReplyDeleteI recently tried to make a collage with scrap booking paper on canvas using mod podge but it wrinkled - I did use some white craft glue under the paper because the mod podge wasn't holding the paper in place as I worked, and not being a very crafty person an not having researched "how to" I didn't know if it would hold or not... Anyway... I have wrinkles paper :( any tips? I'm afraid if I try with a photo it will wrinkle too.
LOve this post! I have lots of photos from a trip and have been wanting to put them up. Can't wait to try it.
ReplyDeleteI loved the idea! Found you via pinterest. I am definitely going try this. I am planning to paint a family tree on our living room wall and would be neater to use 'canvas' prints instead of regular frames. I am planning on using command strips for hanging them. Hope they turn out as good as yours.
ReplyDeleteWhen you did this did you just have the pictures printed on regular photo paper?
ReplyDeleteYep, regular old photo paper!
ReplyDeletePersnickety Prints and Scrapping Simply also offer 12x12. They are both $5 for shipping and $1.99 for prints when they aren't on sale.
ReplyDeletethanks so much for this! I just made some with pictures of myself and my niece and nephew to give to my sister for mither's day. :)
ReplyDelete'Not worthy, oh mighty Goddess of Home Style Photo Canvas! ( I shall not say "fake" the finished product made in your Home is as, if not better, due to all the personal touches.
ReplyDeleteI have 10 Photographs I took but when I looked into the Price, I decided I didn't want to spend a large portion of my 'Food Budget' on the very pricey non Home Style Photo Canvases.
So I shall spend , what to me seems to be, a very reasonable amount to do something I couldn't even afford to have done. (unless a Lottery Win happened! ( and we don't buy Lotto tickets). So ' HUGE THANKS CHELSEA ' and to her very helpful Husband. This begins on Friday and I am so ready. Really, Thanks for sharing your amazing idea.
Wow!! This is fantastic.. I have some super cute pictures that I spent 200.00 to have taken but haven't given them out cause all Igot was a cd and I wanted to do something Great with them.. Looks Like Perfect Idea for Fabulous Christmas gifts.. THANKS SOOO MUCH!!
ReplyDeleteI have a question I just tired this project and after I put the picture on and went to mod podge it the picture bubbled up what am I doing wrong?
ReplyDeleteYes home dept will cut it to size for you I had them cut 6 8x10 and 2 11x14 and 3 5x7 plus I have extra in different sizes and it only cost me 8 dollars for the whole thing
ReplyDeleteHm, I'm honestly not sure! I can't think of how this would happen if it's printed on normal photo paper? I'm so sorry!
ReplyDeleteWhen you say you had your photos printed, did you send them in to WalMart or WalGreens and had then photo printed? The ModPodge didn't bubble or react with the finish on the photos? This is a great idea!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea. You can purchase artists' canvas boards, pre-mounted, at Big Lots for around $5.00 each. All you have to do is paint the edges and do the decoupage. The canvas is already stretched on a frame, and is easy to hang with no extra hardware. I paint (amateur), and the canvases I have gotten from Big Lots have all been suitable for any art. They have different sizes, but all the prices are really low.
ReplyDeleteMaybe not enough mod podge? I remember working with this stuff in grade school and it was a bit tricky because if you put too thin of a layer, parts would dry and create bubbles.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea and wondering what your wall color is...it's fabuloso!
ReplyDeleteThanks! It is just my favorite color ever! It's Benjamin Moore's Wythe Blue. I loved it so much I painted my front door the same color. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks I will try more of the mod podge on the boards and the top and see if that helps at all I have some 11X14's coming in and want them to be perfect so i am practicing on myu 8x10 and 5x7 potos LOL
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the idea -- your "canvas" looks great! I have been looking for ideas to get my kids pics up without having to purchase a bunch of frames -- I have almost 20 years of pics and very few are up. I am going to do this today! THANK YOU! :)
ReplyDeleteonly one word AWESOME..... thanks its gonna be my weekend project n will post the pictures hope they come as good as urs
ReplyDeleteI can see why! Thank you for providing the color!
ReplyDeleteFab idea! Love how it turned out!
ReplyDeleteHi I have a question!!
ReplyDeleteIm planning on doing this...but are the pictures printed in normal paper or the special paper that is normally use for printed pictures? I know this sounds stupid, but just making sure :)
Love it! been wanting to do the same forever! Love your photos! What better way to display the love you all have for each other. Touched my heart...
ReplyDeleteSo I came across this in Pinterest and decided to try it. Just finished mine and I am in LOVE! This works so great and my family was shocked at just how good they looked! You are a genius!
ReplyDeleteThanks! So glad you love yours!
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks for the sweet words!
ReplyDeleteNormal photo prints, nothing special but not regular paper printed at home or anything like that. :)
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see them!
ReplyDeleteYep, sent them to Costco. No bubbling or reacting. Thanks!
ReplyDeletethis looks like what ive been hunting for , Im wondering about the black foam core board to use instead of mdf so they would be lighter weight
ReplyDeleteDoes it matter what type of modge podge you use?! deffinetly want to try these for my bedroom!! too excited these look fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI use ScrappingSimply.com. $1.99 for each 12x12 and they are AWESOME quality!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea... and page prints can also be ordered from Creative Memories digital centre for about $4 each and they will be delivered to your door!
ReplyDeleteHi, great idea! I love it!! I'm in Australia and never heard of mod podge, can you please tell me what it is so I can find an equivalent? Thanks!! :)
ReplyDeleteSo amazing. I can't wait to try this!
ReplyDeleteI have been waiting to do this for so long but I couldn't find the pictures. I finally found a place to print them online called Scrapping Simply and they were $1.99 a piece, which is a GREAT deal and the print quality is excellent! Thanks you so much for sharing your ideas with us :)
ReplyDeleteHardest part of this project is finding who prints 12x12
ReplyDeleteFound this wonderful idea on Pinterest and can't wait to do it. Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteLinda in London
If you are going to use slick prints from a photo shop.... you might want to just use Spray Mount to attach the photos to the boards. Is what I use when doing displays (Graphic Artist). For photos to not look pixelated get them at the highest resolution you can, 300 DPI or better for the best result.
ReplyDeleteI'm a photographer but never could warrant the expense to get my photos done up in canvas. I am definitely going to try this. I hate cutting matt boards and working with frames because I usually break the glass. Yes I am a clutz also. lol I have a big empty wall in my hallway that is the perfect spot to try this out. Thanks so much Chelsea.
ReplyDeleteA little question I went to walmart today to buy the mod Podge .... but I found like 3 different kinds I remeber they looked alike but one was matte and the other one was glossy..... can u pretty please tell me what kind of mod podge I have to get????
ReplyDeleteDIS is a great ideaa...!!! (Y)
ReplyDeletebt since m nt able to find thick mdf board...cn u hlp me vd a substitute?
Found this on Pinterest...AMAZING!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Chelsea,
ReplyDeleteI am so interested in making this! I am looking at the Mod Podge and there are a lot of different kinds! Which kind do you use?
Thank You,
Kelly---kells_30@hotmail.com
You are creative. Suggestion: Put texture on your photo before having them printed with a FREE program called FotoSketcher http://www.snapfiles.com/get/fotosketcher.html
ReplyDeleteYou can make the image look like it is on canvas by selecting Normal, Light, or Strong Texture and selecting Oil Painting.
Hello..i love this. How did you make them so perfectly even? I would like to try this on my new walls. :)
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to start on this! We have a huge wall behind our TV that is occupied presently by a too-small quilted wall hanging I made. I can't wait to move it elsewhere and get started. It's killing me just waiting for the photo's to arrive!
ReplyDeleteHi, I have tried this before but got wrinkles under the photo. As well, The top coats streaked when using the Modge Podge to seal pics. Any solutions. I love your blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lynelle
This is a great Father's Day gift idea. I have some photos I have been wanting to do for my husband & just didn't have the money to put out at $30 plus a pop. Thank you for sharing. Thank you for everyone else adding info as they have tried to do the project and made enhancements.
ReplyDeleteI am definitely going to use this for some old family photographs in black and white.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great idea
Why do you put the Mod Poge on the face of the picture?
ReplyDeleteOk something that troubles me is adding the picture hanger to the board! Please help me! Oh btw I love these!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt would be helpful if everyone would read the previous questions & replies before asking a question that has already been answered. Just sayin'.
ReplyDeleteLove this idea!! I'm thinking of using a pic I took, then separate into 4 12x12's. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHi, I can't wait to git this a try... Which Mod Podge did you use, I've seen the glossy or matte? Thanks
ReplyDeleteperfectly made picture...really a great idea for this post...
ReplyDeleteI think just the regular old glossy stuff...
ReplyDeleteMy boyfriend is letting me decorate his living room and LOVES old wartime photos. I found a few LIFE magazines at an antique shop and planned on just laying them out on the coffee table- BUT THIS!
ReplyDeleteI'm just concerned about the modge podge on the magazine cover material....?
My boyfriend is letting me decorate his living room and LOVES old wartime photos. I found a few LIFE magazines at an antique shop and planned on just laying them out on the coffee table- BUT THIS!
ReplyDeleteI'm just concerned about the modge podge on the magazine cover material....?
Is it me or are all the pictures "not there"...can't see them.
ReplyDeleteThis is an idea, and it would be pointless to get hung up on 12 x12. Any size print would work with this and I have in the past used it for 6 x4 and 4 x4 standard prints. My blocks were cut and painted back and sides, by a cabinet maker/joiner. Had 300 done and this makes them cheap. With whatever print size you choose, have the blocks cut 1/8th to 1/4 smaller than the print. this makes the fit easier, as there will be on overhang that can be trimmed after the glue is dry. turn it upside down, zoom round with a craft knife.
ReplyDeleteFurther to my previous comment; DIY, or professionally produced, a hole drilled in the back will save on hardware costs (hook devices) A hole will have the block sit flat to the wall, and if two holes a drilled in the back of a rectangle block like 6 x4, it can be hung profile or horizontal.
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of mod podge do you use the matte or gloss
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of mod podge do you use the matte or gloss
ReplyDeleteMatte mod podge works much better
DeleteWhat a great idea! I am sharing this on Pinterest.
ReplyDelete