Canvas Art: Recycling Trees!

So Lotti and I fell in love with that Thankful tree. We adored the shape and the little leaves. Yay, inexpensive decoration! It stayed up in our apartment through the holidays until about a week ago. We just couldn’t bear to part with it. One day, when I was staring off into space, (Okay, looking at pinterest) I saw these trees on canvases. Most were one tree in four sections, each section a different season. I liked the idea of it, but the Thankful Tree ( Or a Wishing Tree) could not be divided like that. I stumbled upon some leftover canvases from this art project and this one. I had an idea!

I took took the tree down carefully and then laid it out on various canvases. Once I decided how I liked it, then I decided how many to space them. About 3/4 of the inch apart, so I had to adjust where the canvases were so that the branches lined up. Next I glued the branches down after using an craft knife to cut them.

Then I used the handy dandy boyfriend to hang them up.  I did what I do best: oversee! He hung them up and I critiqued where he put them. About 45 minutes later, we had our tree and one tired boyfriend! Enjoy!

P.S. Don’t forget to enter my giveaway and help a poor lonely blogger!

How to not: Melted Crayon Art

…As only a mother could love. So I decided to try one of those uber-cool melted crayon art things. One thing off my fall list of projects, phew. Still not sure if I love it, I tried to do a heart and FAILED but hey maybe, the half heart things is kind of cool in a modern art kind of way (though I detest most modern art, okay ALL modern art).

    I liked the original one but just found it a bit too elementary for my tastes ( I know I recycled my pun, but it's just so pun-y!) Anyways, I tried to make the heart stay white on the inside but I was lazy and thus failed. As my mother says "If you have time to do it over, you have time to do it right" and this time I learned that lesson really well. It's like the time I tried to make a lamp or ship a cake.

 
Materials:

Crayons

Blow-dryer

Hot Glue Gun

Canvas

Parchment Paper


 
Directions:

1. Decide on the pattern for the crayons. THEN unwrap the crayons, it's easier because you might not have to peel as many crayons. *Make sure you have a good tv show to watch, because it can take forever to peel them. Who knew?
   
2. Hot glue the parchment paper down completely (this is where I messed up). Then hot glue down the crayons.
   
3. Let it sit outside or a hot for a bit to soften the crayons.
   
4. Take a blow-dryer to the crayons, with the canvas slightly at an angle so crayons melt in down the canvas. Be careful there will be a 'splash zone'
   

 


I did this with one of my best friends when we were both home over summer, but hers looked much better. Oh well, next time?

How to: Make your own projector

 
      I love canvas artwork but on a shoe string budget, its not really possible. Unless I buy some off my 10 year old brother, and even he is pretty expensive. So what is a girl to do? Improvise! I found this beautiful textile print off the internet. I loved it but it was about 4 by 5 inches, not nearly big enough to go over my bed, maybe big enough for my Barbie house (I kid, I kid). Anyways, I needed a way to blow it up without breaking the (piggy) bank. I could have taken it to the print shop and have them blow it up but that would have cost like 60 dollars, at least. 


    Instead, I took it to the print shop and had them enlarge it on regular paper, costing me $3 dollars. Then I went to Michael's, and using a 40% coupon bought a 28 by 30 canvas. I also used another to buy yet another paint pen, after first using them here, I've fallen in love with them. 

   

  Next, I jerry-rigged a projector. I cut out the pattern and used adhesive spray I had to adhere it to the back of the canvas. Then I took a lamp and shone it through the back. Working in small sections at a time, I traced the design. Then I would set it down and color in the pattern. I am not going to lie, it took me a fair amount of time, but luckily there was I Love You Man on. This DIYing has certainly increased my TV viewing that or I now have things to do while I watch TV.

     I do have to say I am very proud of the end product. Seriously. Now I just have to decide what colors to paint it! Any ideas?