To all of your coming over from Pinterest: Thanks so much for stopping by! Who knew such a simple project could become so popular? If you have any questions please ask! You can also check the comments because many people have shared tips and tricks they discovered as they've tried this project. Also, there's a misconception going around Pinterest that you can use glue for this project. Several people have told me that glue does not work. Just thought I'd let you know ahead of time! Good luck and have fun! Now back to your regularly scheduled program...
A few weeks ago on Pinterest I found this lovely ditty. I loved the look and simplicity, so I decided to make my own.
One thing you need to know about me is that I'm a font snob. So when I went to Michael's to get wooden letters, I was very disappointed with the one and only choice. Yuck. Plus, it would have cost me $16 just for the letters. No thank you. The puffy paint cost $7 and I didn't even use both.
I apparently got two different kinds of puffy paint. I ended up using the Matte paint for this project.
I knew I wouldn't be able to get a lot of detail using puffy paint, so I chose a font that was simple but not average. I printed it out in the size I wanted and then taped it onto the table so it wouldn't move. Then I put the wax paper over top and got to work creating my letters.
I didn't want to paint right onto my canvas because puffy paint is famous for getting random air bubbles. Also, tracing onto wax paper gave me the opportunity to redo any letters I did not like. As you can see, I made many mistakes.
The next step was to peel the letters off of the wax paper and place them on my canvas. In this picture I was just getting the layout right, nothing is glued down yet. I used mod podge to secure them to the canvas since it gave me more control over how much glue was on the letters. If I messed any letters up I could just peel them off and try again.
Once it was all done, I hung it up over the kitchen table.
I love how subtle it is. The letters aren't all perfect, but I really do love how it turned out. And in case you're wondering, the quote is a line from one of my favorite songs. The song is True Love by Angels and Airwaves. I'm guessing you're thinking this song is super lovey dovey, sweet, slow and romantic. Guess again.
I glued on the letters using mod podge. I applied it to the back of the letters with a paint brush and then put it on the canvas. I just eye balled the placement of the lettes...some are crooked and the lines aren't all straight, but I'm fine with that. Thanks for stopping by!
I want to try this for some Christmas decorations, do you think everything would hold if i covered the entire canvas and lettering in a layer of paint? Any suggestions on type of paint to use? THANKS!
i'm starting to love pinterest! never would have found your blog w/out it...and so enjoyed learning this...although i have to ask a stupid question....does the glue just dry on the wax paper and then you are able to pull it off? wow...i'm just starting to get some of this stuff. how cool is that..and you could paint the canvas and use the white glue for added color...could you tint the glue? i've seen several savings i would love to have ..but had no idea how to do them..and then i found this ! awesome!! thanks so much
Anonymous, the only painting I've done was to paint the actual canvas. I've never painted over the letters, they are very sturdy though. If you completely cover the back with glue and give them sufficient time to dry, I don't see why you'd have any problems!
Tammy, I didn't use glue for my project, I used puffy paint. I let the puffy paint dry overnight and then gently/slowly peel off the letters.
so i completed one round of this project, but i only had parchment paper instead of wax in the house. it worked well, but required a second layer over each of the letters before i peeled them off due to wrinkling from the parchment paper. so the next time around, i bought wax paper hoping it would get rid of my need to do double the work...but now when i try to peel them off, i'm getting little fuzzies/pieces of wax paper with the letters! help!! i even made sure to get the same wax paper as you did! :(
Hi Lauren, I'm so sorry your projects didn't work out as you'd hoped! My letters definitely come out a little wrinkly, too. To fix that problem, I tested it out on glass. The letters peeled off great and weren't wrinkly. I just don't have large pieces of glass laying around, so I stick to wax paper.
As far as the fuzzies go, I'm not sure how to fix this. I've never noticed fuzzies on mine. Since I haven't run into this problem (maybe I've just never noticed), I think the best you can do is to make sure that the puffy paint has enough time to dry (I let mine dry overnight) and peel slowly. I'm sorry if that is no help!
That is one of the coolest ideas I have seen on the blogosphere and I can't wait to try this! I am with you, so strange that Michael's only carries those awful dorky country looking letters. Thanks for sharing! visiting from A-Z
This is absolutely beautiful. I love that you were so original...now we'll all be indulging in the sincerest form of flattery and copying you. Great job!
I love your elmer's glue art, so cool!! I tried it myself and went over my design in glue but once it dried, it isn't as puffed up as I thought it might be. Did you go over your design with glue twice? or does it just look flat and when I paint over it, it will show up nice? Thank you! Leanne
Hi Leanne, I actually didn't use glue for this project. I used puffy paint because it's made to hold it's shape. I think if you switch to puffy paint you'll be much happier with the finished project. Have fun! - Virginia
Hi, I was actually referring to the first canvas art design, not the quote one, I may have commented on the wrong picture :) Thank you for getting back to me so quickly! If you did puffy paint on both, that is great too and I may try and go over the dried glue with puffy paint! Thanks- Leanne!
Virginia, I did try this project, but didn't have great luck with getting the letters off. Maybe my paint wasn't "puffy" enough. Not sure. But the letters stretched and eventually broke when I was trying to get them off the waxed paper. Anyway, I just attempted it a second time, only this time I printed out my quote on the computer and placed the paper behind the canvas. Then I used a pencil to trace the letters directly onto the canvas and then I painted the letters with the puffy paint. So, hopefully it will work. :)
I'm wondering where you found your design for the canvas that's to the left of the boston picture? It looks really cool and I'd like to try something similar to this. Just wondering if you designed it yourself or if you can steer me in the direction of finding something similar.
I'm wondering if it would work on glass, and if it will stay put. I have an old, glass window and would like to add a few quotes. Any suggestions? I'm new to this, and love your idea on the canvas too!
Hi Heather, I'm so sorry you're project didn't go as smoothly has you had hoped! I had a few letters that would rip when I was pulling them off and I noticed that they were always super thin. Try to keep your letters thick! I also let them dry over night to make sure they were completely dry. I hope that helps!
Also, I show my inspiration and process for the other project in this post - http://virginiaandcharlie.blogspot.com/2011/07/small-projects.html
I have tried creating my letters on glass. It definitely stuck and worked great. I don't know how long it would stay, since I didn't leave mine on the glass, but it definitely stuck. I used mine for a different project. The glass gave me a nicer letter that didn't have any ripples like I get from the wax paper. Sorry I don't have a better answer for you!
Wonderful project ... going to try something similar myself tonight. I am actually going to use an old picture frame with the glass in it as my "working surface" to place the puffy paint on ... from the comments I have read, glass works better than waxed paper. I'm pretty sure once you peel the puffy paint off the glass, a good glass cleaner will return the picture frame back to "new" again.
i love this idea! i think this would be a great project for me and my daughter! i especially love that the letters are already done. i've been trying to think of a way to use the puffy paint on certain fabric projects but sometimes the paint will run around the edges a little! but this is a great way to prevent that! Oh yeah and i found you through TIP JUNKIE!
I am going to attempt to try this, can you use colored puffy paint? Also does it matter what kind of paint you paint the canvas and then try to modge podge? Thanks for this... this is amazing. I hope mine turns out 1/2 as good as yours!
You can use whatever kind of puffy paint you want. I used wall paint for my canvas because that is what I had on hand, but as far as I know, any paint will work. -Virginia
Do you think it would work to spray paint over this? Do the whole project as laid out above, and then spray paint the entire canvas, while still maintaining a uniform color. Just brainstorming here!
My husband and I attempted this and yours is so much better!!! Our letters peeled off fine, but they were so bumpy I guess because we didn't trace the letters in one swoop. We stopped in certain parts of the letters and they were very bumpy and bulgy. Either that or it's a steady hand problem...
I am going to try this too! I can't find the color puffy paint I need though, can you tint the white somehow? I tried just using a 3D paint, but my hand isn't steady enough....
You might be able to tint the puffy paint with acrylic paints, but I've never done it. Or maybe food coloring? I'm sorry, I've never tinted my puffy paint so these are just ideas I'm throwing out there! Good luck! -Virginia
Hello! I haven't tried this in a scrapbook, but I can imagine it would work. Basically, you just make your design and then you can stick it wherever you want! Have fun! -Virginia
This is just waaay too cool! Can't wait to try it! When I'm using my vinyl letters from my Cricut, I lay a piece of Glad Peel 'n Stick sticky side up over my gridpaper (because the Peel 'n Stick is transparent, yea!)and lay my letters upside down and backwards since you flip it over to adhere to actual product. Add adhesive of your choice, then apply entire sheet to your work surface, peel of Peel 'n Stick wrap and whala! Perfectly spaced letters done all at once. I haven't worked with that puffy paint before and don't know how hard the letter actually set up. Would the pressure knock down the texture and height of those puffy letters? Hmmmm, I gotta try this tomorrow!
Hi my daughter is trying to do this for gifts. Is the puffy paint special for canvas? And the design should be done off the canvas then glued to the canvas? One last question if the canvas is going to be painted should she do that before putting the puff painting on? Thanks for all your help. Sue
Hi Sue, thanks for stopping by! The puffy paint is not special for a canvas, any puffy paint will work. Create your design and then trace it onto the wax paper using the puffy paint. Once the puffy paint has dried, peel it off the wax paper and then glue it onto the canvas. If you are going to paint the canvas I would definitely do that first.
I did another project for my friend and I painted the canvas for that one. You can check it out here http://virginiaandcharlie.blogspot.com/2011/08/for-katie.html
I hope this answers your questions! Have fun! -Virginia
Oh this looks like such fun! I know our local craft store also has puffy paint in different colors so you wouldn't need to paint them....I like the white on white though. I love the song and quote you choose - thanks for sharing. What a fun, fun, fun project! I'm enjoying everyone's tips to - especially the ziploc bag idea - I can see how that would allow for a cleaner (possibly) break for the letters to be moved to the canvas. Can't wait to make this - now to choose a quote (also a quote junkie!). Found you through Pintrest.
i want to do this!! can you teach me next time we're together???? it's gorgeous!
ReplyDeletethis is beautiful. Great job
ReplyDeleteSent over by AGAAGG. This is brilliant! New craft on the long list...Thanks:)
ReplyDeleteFrom a kindred font-snob spirit: well done! It gives me an idea...maybe to make stamps with puffy paint...
ReplyDeleteHi all! Thanks for stopping by to say hello! I really appreciate your sweet comments! Thanks so much!
ReplyDeletehi, what a lovely idea. will it work with scrapbook?
DeleteWow that is awesome!! I love finding DIY projects! Thank you!!
ReplyDeletehow did you glue the letters on the canvas?
ReplyDeleteI glued on the letters using mod podge. I applied it to the back of the letters with a paint brush and then put it on the canvas. I just eye balled the placement of the lettes...some are crooked and the lines aren't all straight, but I'm fine with that. Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the extra steps. Pinterest didn't have quite enough for me to quite get it. I look forward to doing this!
ReplyDeletesimply gorgeous because it's simple...thanks for the idea
ReplyDeleteI want to try this for some Christmas decorations, do you think everything would hold if i covered the entire canvas and lettering in a layer of paint? Any suggestions on type of paint to use? THANKS!
ReplyDeletei'm starting to love pinterest! never would have found your blog w/out it...and so enjoyed learning this...although i have to ask a stupid question....does the glue just dry on the wax paper and then you are able to pull it off? wow...i'm just starting to get some of this stuff. how cool is that..and you could paint the canvas and use the white glue for added color...could you tint the glue? i've seen several savings i would love to have ..but had no idea how to do them..and then i found this ! awesome!! thanks so much
ReplyDeletewhat font did you use? i'm in love!
ReplyDeleteI used Kozuka Gothic Pro. I'm glad you like it!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, the only painting I've done was to paint the actual canvas. I've never painted over the letters, they are very sturdy though. If you completely cover the back with glue and give them sufficient time to dry, I don't see why you'd have any problems!
ReplyDeleteTammy, I didn't use glue for my project, I used puffy paint. I let the puffy paint dry overnight and then gently/slowly peel off the letters.
Good luck!
What a brilliant idea!
ReplyDeleteMy new project for Christmas! So cool! Thanks! :)
ReplyDeleteIf I were to do this and then paint it, would spray paint be the best option after the letters are glued on?
ReplyDeleteso i completed one round of this project, but i only had parchment paper instead of wax in the house. it worked well, but required a second layer over each of the letters before i peeled them off due to wrinkling from the parchment paper. so the next time around, i bought wax paper hoping it would get rid of my need to do double the work...but now when i try to peel them off, i'm getting little fuzzies/pieces of wax paper with the letters! help!! i even made sure to get the same wax paper as you did! :(
ReplyDeleteHi Lauren, I'm so sorry your projects didn't work out as you'd hoped! My letters definitely come out a little wrinkly, too. To fix that problem, I tested it out on glass. The letters peeled off great and weren't wrinkly. I just don't have large pieces of glass laying around, so I stick to wax paper.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the fuzzies go, I'm not sure how to fix this. I've never noticed fuzzies on mine. Since I haven't run into this problem (maybe I've just never noticed), I think the best you can do is to make sure that the puffy paint has enough time to dry (I let mine dry overnight) and peel slowly. I'm sorry if that is no help!
Love this! You are a font junkie, and I am a word and quote junkie! Great tutorial! I can't wait to get started on this!
ReplyDeleteLove this idea. Will try it!
ReplyDeletesooo pretty!!! love it! thanks for the tutorial!!
ReplyDeleteAwesome idea! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThat is one of the coolest ideas I have seen on the blogosphere and I can't wait to try this! I am with you, so strange that Michael's only carries those awful dorky country looking letters. Thanks for sharing! visiting from A-Z
ReplyDeleteWow! GENIUS! My mind is racing with how I will use this technique. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea! Great job! What was the name of the font you used?
ReplyDeleteThis is a great project and I love how it turned out. I am a new follower, please stop by for a visit.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
This is absolutely beautiful. I love that you were so original...now we'll all be indulging in the sincerest form of flattery and copying you. Great job!
ReplyDeleteThat looks amazing! Thanks for sharing the process.
ReplyDeleteSpotted this featured on Tip Junkie - this project is great! Love the font.
ReplyDeleteI love your elmer's glue art, so cool!! I tried it myself and went over my design in glue but once it dried, it isn't as puffed up as I thought it might be. Did you go over your design with glue twice? or does it just look flat and when I paint over it, it will show up nice?
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Leanne
Hi Leanne, I actually didn't use glue for this project. I used puffy paint because it's made to hold it's shape. I think if you switch to puffy paint you'll be much happier with the finished project. Have fun! - Virginia
ReplyDeleteHi, I was actually referring to the first canvas art design, not the quote one, I may have commented on the wrong picture :) Thank you for getting back to me so quickly! If you did puffy paint on both, that is great too and I may try and go over the dried glue with puffy paint!
ReplyDeleteThanks- Leanne!
Dumb question: you had to glue them onto the canvas letter by letter right?
ReplyDeleteFabulous idea. I can see lots of uses for this. Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHi Sara, in answer to your question, yes I did glue them individually. Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDelete-Virginia
Virginia,
ReplyDeleteI did try this project, but didn't have great luck with getting the letters off. Maybe my paint wasn't "puffy" enough. Not sure. But the letters stretched and eventually broke when I was trying to get them off the waxed paper. Anyway, I just attempted it a second time, only this time I printed out my quote on the computer and placed the paper behind the canvas. Then I used a pencil to trace the letters directly onto the canvas and then I painted the letters with the puffy paint. So, hopefully it will work. :)
I'm wondering where you found your design for the canvas that's to the left of the boston picture? It looks really cool and I'd like to try something similar to this. Just wondering if you designed it yourself or if you can steer me in the direction of finding something similar.
Thanks so much!
I'm wondering if it would work on glass, and if it will stay put. I have an old, glass window and would like to add a few quotes. Any suggestions? I'm new to this, and love your idea on the canvas too!
ReplyDeleteHi Heather, I'm so sorry you're project didn't go as smoothly has you had hoped! I had a few letters that would rip when I was pulling them off and I noticed that they were always super thin. Try to keep your letters thick! I also let them dry over night to make sure they were completely dry. I hope that helps!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I show my inspiration and process for the other project in this post -
http://virginiaandcharlie.blogspot.com/2011/07/small-projects.html
Good luck!
Virginia
Dear Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteI have tried creating my letters on glass. It definitely stuck and worked great. I don't know how long it would stay, since I didn't leave mine on the glass, but it definitely stuck. I used mine for a different project. The glass gave me a nicer letter that didn't have any ripples like I get from the wax paper. Sorry I don't have a better answer for you!
-Virginia
In the past I've used puffy paint on ziploc bags and it peeled off very easily. :) Just an idea. :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful project ... going to try something similar myself tonight. I am actually going to use an old picture frame with the glass in it as my "working surface" to place the puffy paint on ... from the comments I have read, glass works better than waxed paper. I'm pretty sure once you peel the puffy paint off the glass, a good glass cleaner will return the picture frame back to "new" again.
ReplyDeletethanks again.
- Wendy
Found this through Pinterest/My favorite time-suck. Thanks for the tut! I'm a font snob too :D
ReplyDeletei love this idea! i think this would be a great project for me and my daughter! i especially love that the letters are already done. i've been trying to think of a way to use the puffy paint on certain fabric projects but sometimes the paint will run around the edges a little! but this is a great way to prevent that! Oh yeah and i found you through TIP JUNKIE!
ReplyDeleteso im kind of in love that swirly thing on the right. did you trace that too? if so where did you find the picture (or whatever the heck you used)?
ReplyDeleteHi Ipratt, I posted about the other puffy paint project right here:
ReplyDeletehttp://virginiaandcharlie.blogspot.com/2011/07/small-projects.html
I am going to attempt to try this, can you use colored puffy paint? Also does it matter what kind of paint you paint the canvas and then try to modge podge? Thanks for this... this is amazing. I hope mine turns out 1/2 as good as yours!
ReplyDeleteYou can use whatever kind of puffy paint you want. I used wall paint for my canvas because that is what I had on hand, but as far as I know, any paint will work.
ReplyDelete-Virginia
I am going to try this and put it on my blog! I will send you the link when I finish! This is so neat!
ReplyDeleteHi Logan, I can't wait to see what you come up with! Thanks for letting me know and I look forward to seeing your project! Have fun!
ReplyDelete-Virginia
Do you think it would work to spray paint over this?
ReplyDeleteDo the whole project as laid out above, and then spray paint the entire canvas, while still maintaining a uniform color. Just brainstorming here!
to stop ripples, try using a large piece of acetate?
ReplyDeleteSilly question.... but where doesone find puffy paint
ReplyDeleteI buy mine at AC Moore or Michaels. I believe you can get them through Amazon as well. Have fun! -Virginia
DeleteMy husband and I attempted this and yours is so much better!!! Our letters peeled off fine, but they were so bumpy I guess because we didn't trace the letters in one swoop. We stopped in certain parts of the letters and they were very bumpy and bulgy. Either that or it's a steady hand problem...
ReplyDeleteI am going to try this too! I can't find the color puffy paint I need though, can you tint the white somehow? I tried just using a 3D paint, but my hand isn't steady enough....
ReplyDeleteYou might be able to tint the puffy paint with acrylic paints, but I've never done it. Or maybe food coloring? I'm sorry, I've never tinted my puffy paint so these are just ideas I'm throwing out there! Good luck! -Virginia
Deletehi, what a lovely idea, will it work with scrapbook?
ReplyDeleteHello! I haven't tried this in a scrapbook, but I can imagine it would work. Basically, you just make your design and then you can stick it wherever you want! Have fun! -Virginia
DeleteOh My Goddess! I saw your project on Pinterest. I love the letters. Thanks so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThis is just waaay too cool! Can't wait to try it! When I'm using my vinyl letters from my Cricut, I lay a piece of Glad Peel 'n Stick sticky side up over my gridpaper (because the Peel 'n Stick is transparent, yea!)and lay my letters upside down and backwards since you flip it over to adhere to actual product. Add adhesive of your choice, then apply entire sheet to your work surface, peel of Peel 'n Stick wrap and whala! Perfectly spaced letters done all at once. I haven't worked with that puffy paint before and don't know how hard the letter actually set up. Would the pressure knock down the texture and height of those puffy letters? Hmmmm, I gotta try this tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the instructions with us! It is beautiful. I am going to do this one for sure - maybe several times - Chattanooga, TN here
ReplyDeleteHi my daughter is trying to do this for gifts. Is the puffy paint special for canvas? And the design should be done off the canvas then glued to the canvas? One last question if the canvas is going to be painted should she do that before putting the puff painting on? Thanks for all your help. Sue
ReplyDeleteHi Sue, thanks for stopping by! The puffy paint is not special for a canvas, any puffy paint will work. Create your design and then trace it onto the wax paper using the puffy paint. Once the puffy paint has dried, peel it off the wax paper and then glue it onto the canvas. If you are going to paint the canvas I would definitely do that first.
DeleteI did another project for my friend and I painted the canvas for that one. You can check it out here http://virginiaandcharlie.blogspot.com/2011/08/for-katie.html
I hope this answers your questions! Have fun!
-Virginia
where did you buy your canvas?
ReplyDeleteI bought mine at Michaels. You can also get it on Amazon. -Virginia
DeleteOh this looks like such fun! I know our local craft store also has puffy paint in different colors so you wouldn't need to paint them....I like the white on white though. I love the song and quote you choose - thanks for sharing. What a fun, fun, fun project! I'm enjoying everyone's tips to - especially the ziploc bag idea - I can see how that would allow for a cleaner (possibly) break for the letters to be moved to the canvas. Can't wait to make this - now to choose a quote (also a quote junkie!). Found you through Pintrest.
ReplyDelete