Paint inside the lines {DIY custom canvas}

By Chelsea



Hi guys! As promised at the beginning of the week I'm sharing a really awesome DIY art project today! This will surely change the way you look at art when you're out perusing.

We bought these canvases at Ikea within a few months of moving into our home, (about 3.5 years ago). They were right for us at the time because, well, I had no clue what I was doing in our home and wanted something large scale for a wall in our dining room. They were neutral and soft and worked for a while.

Before - a little too timid for our updated space

Fast forward to now. I wouldn't say my style has changed so much as it has finally developed, (through lots of trial and error). Needless to say, these soft taupe-y lovelies just didn't have a place in our home anymore so I stuck them in the garage. They're just such a nice size, especially when hung together, so I held onto them in case something came to mind.

Then something came to mind. Paint over the painting! I needed some large scale art to hang over Shire's bedroom dresser, but wanted it to really pop. I picked a few paint colors, mixed a couple of my own, and painted 'in the lines' of these canvases.

Now customized and full of life!

(More pictures of Shire's room HERE)

Doesn't this just change everything?! If you can color in the lines you can do this project. One tip I have, as a non-canvas artist, is the larger the scale, the easier it'll be. Less room for error, (or is it more room for error??? I always get that confused). But really, all you need is a painting of a picture you like. Then just customize it with colors you want to see in your home!

Side by sides are always fun:

(A bit more abstract now, but I think that's charming in this case)

Doesn't this just make you want to run to your closest thrift store and find some lonely art?! I'm looking forward to trying this again for sure. 

And just to officially open the door, I always love seeing what YOU guys are up to! If you've finished something you're excited about in your home please share via email, (chelseasgarage@gmail.com). You're such a creative bunch and I love passing around inspiration. You may see your project featured here!

Thank you for stopping by!

~Chelsea

Odds and Ends plus What's coming up this fall!

Aside from the wet weather we've been getting, I also have a little one with a horrible whooping cough, (heading to the doctor this morning for that, an 18mo check up, and 3 flu shots. Yikes!) Since we've been staying inside the last couple days I've been able to get some little decorative projects done for Shire's room when we switch her and Mason, (we currently have Colin and Shire together, Mason in the room next door).

First thing I'm excited about is I think I finally decided on a headboard! This is the third idea for her headboard that I've played with, and I like it the best of all! This picture is of the 'trial' I did yesterday, laying the different fabrics underneath the panes of glass on this old window.

Each of these fabrics is incorporated elsewhere in her room so I love having a piece that brings them all together! I think I'll finish this today - just need to cut the fabric to size and staple it to the edges of each wooden frame that will border. (I'll be sure to snap pics of the process to show you so you can try it yourself!)

 

I also had time to work on a project that has been in my head for quite a while. This fun one is not for the faint of heart, as it involved ripping out the pages of a very old and dear classic.

 

I pulled out most of the pages with pictures, glued them onto colorful scrapbook paper which I had cut to size about one inch all around larger than the book pages.

 

 

I'll hang these on her wall as a collective work of art - the pictures are arranged to tell the story without words. She loves her books and I thought the idea of 'throwing a book up on her wall' seemed appropriate. :)

 

We are mere weeks away from making the Big Switch! It will be so bittersweet for us. Our twins have been together from the beginning. The very beginning. But all signs are pointing to this being the right time to finally give them some time apart. The last few days I have observed Colin tackling and wrestling Shire, (were talking several times an hour here, so imagine over a whole day of play how often this happens), and Shire laying there crying and yelling "Stoooop it!" Mason, on the other hand, gets right in and thinks it's the funniest thing ever when his big brother comes up and tackles him to the ground. Yes, I think it's time to let the boys be boys in one room together. :)

 

Moving on, I thought I would show you what's coming up for my little business this fall! Here's the schedule, at a glance:

 

Upcoming projects for Chelsea's Garage:

 *October 14-20* I am helping to decorate our home church, Christ Community Church, in Ashburn, Virginia! It is a wonderful space that is currently a big blank slate. We'll be bringing in paint, molding, tables, fabric, the works! And with an extremely tight budget it's giving me the opportunity to think outside the box and  get reallllly creative! So grateful for this awesome opportunity to help create a space that is as warm and inviting as the church body that we've come to think of as family.

 

*November 10*  9am - 4pm Autumn Chelsea's Garage Sale.This date is tentative depending on how much the above project takes out of my family and me, but go ahead and pencil it on your calendars. I have a fantastic stock ready and hope to add a few more fun pieces and decorative items by that Saturday. As always, the event will happen regardless of the weather, (since it's in my garage), and complimentary refreshments will be served.

 

*December 10* 6:30pm Annual Christmas Auction with the Cornerstone Schools of Washington D.C. Chelsea's Garage is donating a piece for this fantastic Christmas auction which will raise funds for an amazing cause! Funds raised through this auction will be used to provide scholarships for students from low-income families in the greater Washington, D.C. area. How awesome is that?! The event, starting at 6:30pm will be held at The Strathmore Mansion. Come on out to find some beautiful Christmas gifts and help give the gift of education. For more information on this event and cause, please click here.

 

Whew, so much to look forward to! I will update with fun photos of these projects as I am able, as well as Shire's room when it's finished! If you have any questions about anything on my schedule or would like to get involved in anything you see, please don't hesitate to contact me at chelseasgarage@gmail.com!

 

Thank you for stopping by!

 

~Chelsea