DIY Canvas Map Art

I have a very blank spot above my desk. At our last home, I tried to keep things organized with a wall organizer system which just let me sort my chaos into more piles, so it still felt cluttered. I was inspired by Courtney at A Thoughtful Place to keep an organized file system for all the papers constantly coming in. I purchased one at Target in blue and green (can be viewed at http://www.greenroomeco.com/, not on Target's website) to add some color. I'm really hung up on this adding color thing apparently.

This system has really worked for us and honestly the paper clutter has all but disappeared since starting it. This may be related to my time at home but hey, it's working.

However, this left me with a huge blank (NEUTRAL) wall to stare at when working at my computer.

I have had, and wanted to display, this map: World Wall Map Deluxe Laminated 50" x 32" (M Series Map of the World)* forever (although mine is not the laminated one). I loved the colors and the size was right for above my desk. However, to frame something that is 50" by 32" is very, very expensive.

I had used the modge-podge to canvas technique with some of Dylan's artwork in the past, and decided to go for it. I found a 48" by 36" canvas at A.C. Moore which was thankfully on sale for 50% off (final cost: $19.99).

I started off by laying the map out and realizing it was too large.

So, I carefully trimmed the borders with some craft scissors.

Ahh, much better. I then used a tape measure to ensure each side was evenly spaced and the map was centered. I marked the edge with a pencil so I would know where to adhere the map when it was time to attach it.

I then used some spray adhesive, spraying back and forth across the canvas within the space I had marked and slowly rolled the map across, starting at the edges and trying to smooth out wrinkles as I went.

*UPDATE: The wall map began partially falling off. I found that re-applying it, spraying both the back of the map AND the canvas has been completely successful.

I then weighted the corners down and let it dry for about 3 hours.

The next step was to add some Modge Podge (I used the Gloss type, leftover from another project), which I applied with a paint roller. During this step, things got very wrinkly. I like to refer to it as 'unintentional texture.'

Excuse the upside-down-ness, still learning how to modify cell phone pictures on Blogger

The final step, after allowing the Modge Podge to dry for about 30 minutes was to apply Acrylic sealer, which I ended up doing 2 coats, 15 minutes apart, and then let dry overnight.

And... voila! Final product. It flattened out a bit (and the 'unintentional texture is less noticeable on the wall), so I'm enjoying it. Perhaps I will stop being so obsessed with adding 'pops of color' now.

*Note: contains affiliate link. 

Linked up to Thrifty Decor Chick's November Before & After party, A Bowl Full of Lemon's One Project at at Time party.

Fighting the war on neutrality: DIY Painted Vase

We recently (finally) purchased a dresser to replace the one we gave away in the move. Envision, for a moment, piles of clothes, underwear, and socks on our bedroom floor and crammed into the nooks and crannies of our closet and you can understand my excitement. So, I was thrilled to be able to use my $25 off coupon at Ikea (and free breakfast day!) and pick up this bad boy. We were equally as excited to be able to set up our nicer TV, although we prefer not to have one in the bedroom (there was no where else to put it).

However, things were looking a bit neutral (the rest of the room has a white bookshelf, white bedding) so I am trying to add more pops of color (mostly blues to tie in with a few framed prints I have). (Excuse the poor photo quality, it was a cloudy day when these were taken). 

So, I decided to add a pink faux flower I picked up at Ikea as well. I picked up a small bud vase at Target for $1.99 to hold it.

The stem was way too long so I trimmed it using pliers...

 and popped it into the vase:

I liked it, but things were still looking a bit 'blah.' I decided to try my very un-crafty hand at the painted vase tutorials floating around Pinterest to add some color.

via Pinterest, original link from Sugar and Charm blog

I have seen others use acrylic paints so I decided to use some leftover "Ocean Blue" Americana acrylic paint I had from another project.

I followed the directions of pouring the paint in liberally, and swirling it around as I turned the vase upside down.

After I had covered about 90% of the inside of the vase, I placed it upside down to dry on some newspaper. I later learned this would be a mistake and would recommend using plastic (bags or sheets) to dry on.

I checked on the vase periodically, moving its position on the paper so there wouldn't be too much paint piled up. I also used a sponge brush to help some of the paint along on the parts that weren't filling in. I don't know if it was because I was messing with it so much, but there were a few small gaps where the paint either dropped off or didn't fill in. Otherwise, it was looking great!

Remember how I advised against drying the vase on paper before?

Here is the finished product, tucked behind my candle sleeve next to the TV. It definitely adds that pop of color I was looking for, and the entire project was less than $5. Awesome.