DIY! Burlap and Canvas Family Heirloom Wreath

Trying to capture and preserve my family's heritage is very important to me. It is also difficult. The older generation - the ones who remember World War II, The Great Depression, and beyond that, as it pertains to my family are gone and have been for a long while. So, I take what I can get, what I can find along the way, and do my best to honor and celebrate where I came from.

This Family Heirloom Wreath is one of my favorite ways to remember my family.

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Monogrammed Burlap Canvas and A Hometalk and Michaels Pinterest Party

I always joke that I married my husband because I would not have to change my initials.

I very much liked that big ole "L" that was the beginning of my last name.

I have always (long before the monogram trend began) loved using my initials to personalize my decor. That is why I love this Monogrammed Burlap Canvas project that is part of the Michaels and Hometalk Pinterest Party. 
Visit Hometalk and search the hashtag #MPinterestParty to see a ton of great projects!

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DIY! Museum Style Fossil Art

HEY ALL! THIS IS A RE-POST...BECAUSE I HAVE A BOOK TO FINISH ASAP!
But it is one of my favorite projects ever!

I originally came up with this idea last year for my sons room.
I find it very hard to find sophisticated decor for boys,
especially growing boys, and it was time to update his room.

But quite honestly this art can go anywhere!
I even had one friend fooled...
she thought I bought this at a museum store!

 

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How to Build a Simple Frame

A couple of weeks ago I received a

beautiful canvas of my cutie from Canvas People.

{You can read all about that HERE.}

Well, to really show it off and have it fit in with the rest of the decor,
I wanted to create a frame for it. I say create because
I could not find one that was a decent price that I liked!

So armed with a 1" x 2" x 8" and some
Americana Weathered Wood Medium,
I created this beautiful frame that looks all beat up
and full of old loveliness {but it is new!}

Here is how I created my aged loveliness to showcase my Canvas People canvas

Supplies (to fit an 11” x 14” canvas)

1. BEAUTIFUL CANVAS! Of course the model is adorable too!

2. 1 or 2 -1” x 2” x 8' boards cut with MITERED CORNERS as follows:

      2 cut at 11”

      2 cut at 14”

3. Gorilla Tape

4. Gorilla Wood Glue

5. Dremel Mulit-Max (Sander option) of Norton Sanding Bug from Rockler

6. DecoArt, Americana Weathered Wood

7. DecoArt acrylic paint in Burnt Umber and Bleached Sand Paint
8. DecoArt Primer/Sealer

9. Rockler sponge brushes.
10. Rockler Painters Pyramids (AWESOME!)

11. Wood Filler (optional)

12. Deft Clear Wood Finish (semi-gloss) from Rockler

DIY It!

1. Cut Boards (as above). Be sure to miter the corners

2. Give a light sanding to the cut edges

3. Run Gorilla Wood Glue along the mitered edges of the frame. Piece frame together while it is laid out on a protected surface.

4. Secure with Gorilla Tape until dry.

5. My cuts were not perfect, so I filled in the gaps with wood filler. Let dry. (optional)

6. Sand again.

7. Position your frame on the Paint Pyramids and paint prime with DecoArt Primer/Sealer. Let Dry.

8. Apply a coat of DecoArt acrylic paint in Burnt Umber. 

9. Apply a light coat of DecoArt Weathered Wood and let dry.

10. Paint with second color, Bleached Sand and let dry.

11. You will have an awesome weathered finish to your frame – I am in L-O-V-E with Weathered Wood from DecoArt.

12. Spray with Deft Clear Wood Finish and let dry.

13. Add decoration – decorative nails, tacks, etc. - if desired. I hit a few areas with a dry brushing of Burnt Umber.

DISCLOSURE: As part of the DIY Club, I have been supplied with vendor sponsored products to complete my projects. The opinions are projects are my own. See, my disclosure policy for more information.

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