when art speaks to you and a DIY

Have you ever been shopping and seen something that just “speaks to you”? I think Pier 1 Imports did a whole marketing plan around this concept where their items actually talked to the buyers. I was in HomeGoods the other day {shocker} and I saw a sweet framed picture with a polka dot background and just the word swim on it in a whimsical handwritten font. I loved it.

It was kitchy and sweet and strong all at the same time. I don’t think it actually talked to me but for some strange reason it really hit a chord. I’m not sure exactly why. I like to swim but I’m not a particularly strong swimmer. I’ve had a pool almost my whole life so swimming is a big family activity and my kids swim 24/7. But that can’t just be it. I do love the beach but I only swim when I’m really hot or the water is really warm. Seeing this sweet artwork had a bigger meaning than just time spent at the beach. Then it clicked. “Swim” to me means being strong, surviving and moving on. ok, so maybe I was a feeling a little sentimental that day but I really did love that art. And it also reminded me of Dori’s cute comment in the movie Nemo, “just keep swimming…” So when I saw that singular word, framed and looking so pretty with such a strong message, I knew I had to have it.

The only problem was that I didn’t love the color – the blue was way too purple. But I knew I could create my own version. Here are the instructions if you want to make your own art with a word that has special meaning to you. This is a great way to add thoughtful and meaningful art to your walls.

Materials:

• frame {I used an old frame and updated it with spray paint}
• wrapping paper
• contrasting color paper for type
• Super Adhesive 77 spray mount
• decoupage glue
• scissors & X-acto knife

Instructions:

1. Find a frame that works for your space. I had a old 20 x 16″ frame that I wasn’t using. It was brown wood and I wanted it white, so I removed the glass and spray painted the wood with a semi-gloss white. I let it dry and now it’s a new frame ready for some new art!

2. Cut a piece of wrapping paper a little larger than your frame size. Using the Super Adhesive glue, adhere the paper to the cardboard insert of the frame or the actual backing of the frame. Trim it down if needed and smooth out any bubbles in the paper.

3. Using a computer, find a font you like and print out your word of choice. I decided on a font called Isabella and printed “swim” out in outline format to save ink. Since the final word is larger than what my printer can handle, I just printed the word out in sections and taped it together.

4. Next, I used 2 pieces of scrapbook paper I bought at Michael’s and taped them together so they were long enough. They I taped my printout on top of the paper.

5.  I cut the type out mostly with scissors and I used the X-acto knife in the smaller areas. I also purposely cut beyond the lines of my word to leave room in case I made mistakes. I also liked that the word was a little thicker.

6. When I finished cutting out the type, I attached it to the board with the Super Adhesive spray mount.

6. Lastly, I applied a generous coat of the decoupage glue on top of the entire art. This both protects the art and the paper and it also gives the piece a nice finished look.

7. Put the art and frame together and hang. Now you have meaningful art that speaks to you. I’m redesigning our kids’ bathroom so this piece will have to wait until the room is done before I can hang it! Check out my bathroom inspiration post here. Maybe this art will help kickstart this project!

I know the word “swim” and this artwork might not have the same effect on you as it did on me but I’m sure there are other words and artwork that do. Those are the kinds of things I want on my walls. The strong, meaningful ones – and if they’re handmade, even better. I hope you try this project and let me know what words speak to you. Enjoy!