Tutorial: Family Rules Canvas

Here’s really fun and easy project to whip out in no time. I made mine with a friend and we had so much fun picking out our papers and agonizing over what our rules should be. Ok, so maybe we didn’t whip in out in no time, but really we probably could have been faster if we had talked less and worked harder!

Supply List:

• Artist Canvas
• 6-9 Scrapbook Papers
• Acrylic Paint and Paintbrush
• Chipboard Letters that say “Family Rules”
• Acrylic Paint Pen
• Alene’s Tacky Glue
• Matte Decoupage Paste
• Foam Brush

Here’s what you do:

1. Figure out where you want to hang it and then buy the appropriate sized canvas (don’t forget to use your 40% off coupon from Michael’s or A.C. Moore). My canvas is large, 2′x3′, but I like big things on the walls. It makes a statement.

2. Paint the edges of your canvas with acrylic craft paint whatever color you want to give the edge a finished look. I used black. Also paint your chipboard letters. Set aside to dry.

3. Figure what your rules are going to be. Obviously you can’t have 30 rules on a 12″x 12″ canvas so just think through what will fit. At the bottom of the page I listed a whole bunch of rules that I’ve seen other people do that I thought were cute.

4. Pick out your papers. I used 7 different coordinating papers and repeated them at least twice.

5. Now, tear or cut your papers into strips and arrange in the pattern you like.Think about repeating strong colors and patterns evenly so that there is some rhythm.

6. Write your rules in pencil on your paper first.I always count the number of letters and spaces in a sentence, find the middle and then write the sentence from the middle out (careful of your spelling when writing backwards- total brain fryer!). I also chose to write my rules in different fonts just for fun, but you don’t have to.

7. Go over your pencil lettering with a paint pen. I used these things for the first time and totally ♥ them! If you mess up don’t freak. Just make a new one or change your font. Perfection is your enemy when it comes to a project like this.

8. You’re ready to start gluing. Using glue or a glue stick start tacking down your papers, making sure you layer the edges so the canvas doesn’t show through and pasting one plain strip at the top for the chipboard background. Let them set a bit.

9. While the strips are setting, start gluing the chip board letters at the top. My letters are anything but perfect because they didn’t all fit straight across, but I just pretend that’s the way I wanted it. It’s rad.

10. The final step is to decoupage the whole thing. with a large foam brush apply very thin layers of decoupage, letting it dry between coats.

Ta Da!

My Family Rules:

To love God obey Him, tell the truth, be thankful, be kind, there’s no such thing as “mine”, it’s all God’s, honor your parents, respect all people, love your enemies, be your sibling best friend and biggest fan, laugh at yourself and laugh often, work hard, but the results up to God, pray often, trust God