It's more Silhouette fun today to celebrate our fabulous giveaway! My husband is not crazy about vinyl on the walls, even though I showed him how easily it can be removed with no damage to the paint. (He tends to have an opinion on our home decor, much to my chagrin.) Anyhoo, I decided to try out my new vinyl cutter to make a less permanent feeling piece of art for my boys' room.
How to Use Vinyl on Canvas
Start with a stretched artists canvas in the size of your choice. Mine was a 16"x24" canvas. Look for these at craft stores like JoAnn or Michaels on sale or with a 40% off coupon.
Paint the front and sides your canvas using acrylic paint. I decided to get a little help. Let your paint dry.
Cut your vinyl and adhere it to transfer tape (see tutorial here). Decide on placement. Place vinyl on canvas and rub with your scraper (or your fingernails if you don't have one!). Remove transfer tape.
At least that is how I imagined it would work. I don't know if it was the kind of paint I used or the Silhouette brand vinyl, but I couldn't get the vinyl to stick well to the painted canvas. So I improvised. Here's my tip.
Just before sticking my vinyl down, I brushed on a light coat of Brushstroke Mod Podge (regular Mod Podge would work, too). Then I immediately rubbed my vinyl on top and peeled off the transfer tape. I did have to help it out in a couple of spots that it didn't stay put (because of the wet Mod Podge), but when it was finally all on the Mod Podge covered surface, it stuck.
My letters were a little harder to keep straight, but you do have a few seconds to make adjustments while the Mod Podge is still wet.
Then I covered the rest of the canvas with the Mod Podge for good measure. I did not cover the vinyl with it however.
Our friend Vanessa over at VandCo. created a similar (but more girly and grown-up) piece over here. You'll notice that she didn't have any trouble adhering her vinyl, so maybe it's my cheap paint. Either way, this is a great project. I've got one in mind for my bedroom, next!
If you haven't entered our Silhouette giveaway yet, seriously, what are you waiting for? Go here now.
How to Use Vinyl on Canvas
Start with a stretched artists canvas in the size of your choice. Mine was a 16"x24" canvas. Look for these at craft stores like JoAnn or Michaels on sale or with a 40% off coupon.
Paint the front and sides your canvas using acrylic paint. I decided to get a little help. Let your paint dry.
Cut your vinyl and adhere it to transfer tape (see tutorial here). Decide on placement. Place vinyl on canvas and rub with your scraper (or your fingernails if you don't have one!). Remove transfer tape.
At least that is how I imagined it would work. I don't know if it was the kind of paint I used or the Silhouette brand vinyl, but I couldn't get the vinyl to stick well to the painted canvas. So I improvised. Here's my tip.
Just before sticking my vinyl down, I brushed on a light coat of Brushstroke Mod Podge (regular Mod Podge would work, too). Then I immediately rubbed my vinyl on top and peeled off the transfer tape. I did have to help it out in a couple of spots that it didn't stay put (because of the wet Mod Podge), but when it was finally all on the Mod Podge covered surface, it stuck.
My letters were a little harder to keep straight, but you do have a few seconds to make adjustments while the Mod Podge is still wet.
Then I covered the rest of the canvas with the Mod Podge for good measure. I did not cover the vinyl with it however.
Our friend Vanessa over at VandCo. created a similar (but more girly and grown-up) piece over here. You'll notice that she didn't have any trouble adhering her vinyl, so maybe it's my cheap paint. Either way, this is a great project. I've got one in mind for my bedroom, next!
If you haven't entered our Silhouette giveaway yet, seriously, what are you waiting for? Go here now.