Completely Awesome Word Art (how to upcycle an old framed canvas)

Crafting with the Stars. Oh my. I’m trying to audition to get one of 12 spots in this season. I hope you guys enjoy this project…. I got the idea this week when my friend brought back a piece of framed art (a HUGE piece of art, I might add) that I had given her when we moved. You see, the reason I gave it to her is that it no longer fit in our house. Literally. It was too big. Well, and design-wise too. I got it several years ago on clearance at Tai Pan, and it worked beautifully in our Tuscan style home in St. George, but now my style and my living space have changed quite a bit.

I just have to give that disclaimer before you see what I did to it 🙂 Anyway, apparently said piece of art was too BIG for her house also and she was bringing it back for me to enjoy. I was about to post it on Craigslist when I had an idea…

I’ve been trying to think of a project that would justify a little trip to Michaels to browse the new Martha Stewart line of craft paints… When I found out that they offer specialty paints like Magnetic and Chalkboard paints, my wheels started to spin 🙂

So, if I can’t find a space to fit a piece of art that I don’t really like anymore, could I find a spot for a sweet new project that is functional, fun for the kids, and looks cool? Of course I can.

With the help of the Martha Stewart craft paints, my old Tuscan artwork was transformed to this:

I hope no one out there is wincing at the thought of me painting over this countryside scene with black magnetic paint 🙂 It was SO worth it! Did I mention this baby is a chalkboard AND it’s magnetic??? And it is a pretty gray color to match my decor, instead of the plain ol’ black chalkboard paint everyone has seen. My kids already love playing with all the letters to spell words and I haven’t even told them it’s a chalkboard yet… Maybe I’ll just keep that between us 🙂

I’m so excited for the possibilites of this GINORMUS Word Art Board in our house. I can change it out for holidays, inspirational quotes, messages for the kiddos, and more. A Menu board would be fitting, since it will reside above our table…. and I can’t wait to Spookify it for Halloween. Stay tuned for more ideas of what I’ll do with this new masterpiece 🙂

If any of you have an old crappy canvas piece of “art” lying around…. you know, the kind you can get at the thrift store for $5? Try it. My only cost was the paint from Michaels (which I got at 40% off), and a few rolls of magnet tape. I had all the chipboard letters downstairs in my scrapbooking supplies. (Finally, they are getting some use! Ha!)

Here are the supplies I used:

• Paint for the canvas: Martha Stewart Craft Paint – Gray Chalkboard Paint (1 bottle) and Magnetic Paint (I used a little less than 2 of these because my canvas was so huge, but for most projects, one would be plenty.) 
• Paint for the frame: My standbys for any spraypaint project – Kilz primer, and Krylon Gloss in White 🙂
• For the stencil design: I added a stencil to the mat with Martha Stewart Metallic craft paint in Sterling. I also used her new Arabesque stencil set, which I love!
• For the magnet letters: I used supplies I had on hand, including this set of chipboard letters from Cosmo Cricket and some plain wooden letters. I painted these letters white and added a glaze for fun 🙂
• Additional items: I added a cute 4″x4″ white scrollwork picture frame I found at Walmart for $4. I took out the glass and adhered it to the canvas with velcro because it was a little too heavy. (In the picture, I have written the date inside.)