Valentine's Day Art {Queen of Hearts Canvas}

This week I have been working on some DIY projects for my Valentine's Day Mantel & decor... A few of them have taken longer than expected but I will be putting it all together this weekend :)

I just had to share this super easy project {it took me less than 15 minutes!} and I think it turned out pretty sweet:

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I needed some artwork to add to the mantel, and I thought... how fun would it be to make a larger-than-life playing card with the Queen of Hearts? I wanted it to look kind of old and worn, so I knew this would be the perfect time to try out my Citra Solv :) I'm sure you've seen all the amazing projects people have come up with using Citra Solv to transfer photocopied images.... you can transfer the images to fabric, wood, and more. So I thought to myself, self.... let's try it on a canvas!

I had an 8x10 flat canvas in my craft room {I think you can get them in 2 or 3-packs at Walmart for pretty cheap!} I can't remember what I paid for this one, but I'm guessing it was $2 or less. These are the really thin, hard canvases so they are perfect for using the Citra Solv method. (I'm not sure how it would work on a stretched canvas because you have to push pretty hard when you are transfering the image.)

Anyway, here is the basic process:

1. Grab your 8x10 canvas and make a photocopy of your desired image. {I just copied a playing card and enlarged it.} Make sure you are using a PHOTOCOPY, not an image from an inkjet printer.

2. Next, you'll need your Citra Solv solution, a cotton ball or pad, and a spoon.

3. Trim your image so that it fits nicely on your canvas, then turn it over and place it face down on top of the canvas. Secure with tape.

4. Put a SMALL amount of Citra Solv on your cotton ball. You want it to be barely wet {not soaking!} Carefully rub the cotton ball over the entire surface of the paper, just until you can see the image coming through. If you get too much Citra Solv on your image, it will soak through the paper and start to bleed and smear.

Now, all you need to do is grab your spoon and rub over the entire image, applying pressure as you go. You'll need to press pretty hard to get the image to transfer. {I wanted mine to be a little lighter in some spots to give it a "vintage" look so I didn't go over those spots as hard.}

Lift the paper and you'll be pleasantly surprised!

I decided to rub some black ink on the edges of my canvas to make it look older :) The entire process took about 10 minutes! I am so happy with how it turned out!

I was thinking about finding a cool vintage frame, removing the glass and framing it. But I really want it to just look like a big playing card sitting up on my mantel, so I left it as is. It makes me excited to try this again with other pictures. I might have another Citra Solv project to share with you soon :)

If you decide to try this, I'd love to see your projects! If you're looking for some amazing FREE images, check out the Graphics Fairy. She has lots of Valentine's stuff... vintage postcards, cupid, hearts, etc.

Have a great weekend! Check back Monday for my finished Valentine's Day Mantel :)

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