So this post is a long time in the making. I kept making mistakes, or figuring out ways to make it better, so it was back to start I went. I *think* I finally figured it out, but there is always room for improvement.
Ever since I made this DIY Coffee Bar tray, I’ve been wanting to add more chevron stripes to my life. So, when I was at Michael’s one day, and they had a sale on a package of canvases I picked some up. I knew I wanted the girls to have a little part in whatever it was I decided on. It didn’t take me long to figure out this is what I wanted to do.
Seriously, how cute?? And not too hard to do (after I finally figured out the best approach).
By the way, the canvas is 11″ X 14″
STEP ONE:
The first thing you need to do is make a grid on your canvas. You will want to make dots every 2″ across the 14″ side, and 1″ down the 11″ side. You wan’t to make the dots on the whole canvas. If you look close you can see them, I just made a few bigger to give you an idea of what I meant.
STEP TWO:
Next up you want to connect the line like the picture shows.
STEP THREE:
Now you want to make a trapezoid shape (like shown below). You will be using this to make a template for your tape pieces.
STEP FOUR:
Take a piece of wax paper, place it over the trapezoid you drew, and trace the shape onto the wax paper.
STEP FIVE:
Put your template on a piece of tape.
Cut the the tape to match the piece of wax paper. This makes your template a little more sturdy.
STEP SIX:
Place strips of tape on wax paper, and use your template to trace lots of pieces.
STEP SEVEN:
Now it’s time to cut out those pieces and start taping them on your canvas. This is sort of hard to explain, so I hope the pictures start. You start like this, with the trapezoid angling down. The corners match up with the dots you made.
Now, you need to flip the next piece so the bottom (the longer side) is on the top. And angle that up.
The next piece has the trapezoid the right way again, and angled down.
And just keep doing that. Eventually you will get a nice chevron pattern.
STEP EIGHT:
Now you finally get to paint! I suggest using a foam brush and painting two layers.
Once the paint has dried, take of the tape.
STEP NINE:
Now, it’s time to make a hand print and feet prints.
STEP TEN:
Add the L and E. If you would like, you can make your own “stencil” using contact paper. Draw the L on a separate piece of paper using sharpie. Flip the paper over, and trace the (backwards) L onto the paper side of the contact paper.
Cut out the L.
Peel the paper of and put the contact paper where you want it. I also cut out the centers of the little loops, so if you are doing cursive letters be sure to do that too.
Make sure the contact paper is securely down and use the foam brush to paint the letters. Then peel off the contact paper and look at your awesome canvas.
I am so happy with how it turned out! Word of advice. Make sure your stripes are a lighter color than your hand/foot print. I made the mistake of making the stripes dark, and hand print light. Did not look nearly as good, so don’t do what I did.