Customized Wall Art

I love the idea of custom wall art, and this is an excellent way to do it!
You create the panels of images you love the most, and the best part? You can swap them out and switch them up with the seasons!

Just imagine what an addition to your home this will be--you can make panels of your children for their birthdays and put up photos from years past on their special day.

You can make panels for the seasons or holidays--Spring ones of your family dying eggs or filling their Easter baskets; wheat grass growing in your kitchen window, the first bulbs of spring pushing up in your backyard.

Fall panels of photos of pumpkins, cranberries, or apple pies; your family playing in the leaves; the pictures of your children on their first day of school.

Photos of Summer holidays, Christmas morning or your favorite vacation.

Words you love, lyrics to songs, a panel for each member of your family that you update every year. You can even make chalkboard panels and use it as a chore list or inspiration board.

The possibilities are endless! Here is the project information--have fun! Item numbers are provided for easy ordering.

The Art Of Smart

The Art of Smart

Create customized art for your walls! Print your personal artwork or photos and display them in this simple, versatile rail system. (Images of Elmo letters are used in this photo, link below.) You can make any wall in your home or office your canvas. Display the artwork in a one-row rail system or stack the rails row-on-row to any height - the sky's the limit. The beauty of this system is that it's so easy to change your artwork at anytime, for any occasion. It's smart art!

MATERIALS

• 1" x 2" pine
• finger joint pine lattice moulding 11⁄16"
• 1⁄8" hardboard to mount photos
• 3⁄4" finishing nails 2134-407
• 21⁄2" finishing nails 2134-461
• wood glue 2020-850
• rubber cement 5738-650
• utility knife 1034-165
• hammer 1030-558
• metal ruler 1048-075
• 150 grit sand paper 1060-176
• stud finder 1010-862
• level 1036-221

Mounting artwork

Cut the hardboard to the exact size of the artwork. To dry mount, apply rubber cement to the back of the artwork and the front of the hardboard and allow it to dry completely. Position the artwork on the hardboard and press in place.

Measuring and cutting the rails

The rails are made from the 1"x 2" pine and lattice moulding strips. Total the width of all artwork for one row, allowing an additional 1⁄4" for each piece. Add 3" to the total, then cut the pine and lattice pieces to this length.

Measuring and cutting end strips

For each end strip you will need a 11⁄2" strip of hardboard cut to the height of the artwork and a 1" x 2" pine strip cut 1⁄4" shorter. Sand and finish all pieces as desired.

Assembling rail

Use wood glue to attach the lattice strip flush to the top of the pine and secure in place with 3⁄4" finishing nails.

Hanging rails

Starting with the bottom rail, level, mark, then use 21⁄2" finishing nails to mount it to the wall studs. For the second rail, measure 1⁄4" higher than the artwork height, level, mark and nail the rail in position. Repeat until all rails are installed. Position a 11⁄2" hardwood end strip at both ends of each rail. Glue and nail the pine end strips on top.

Inserting artwork

Slip the top of the mounted artwork under the lip of the top rail. Rest the bottom of the artwork on the top of the bottom rail.

Download letters from the Elmo Sesame Street alphabet

Initially Yours...

Personalize your front door with your monogram, crafted from aluminum flashing.

Instructions:

Choose a font style you like. Use a photocopier to enlarge it to desired size. Using a fine marker, trace it onto the metal. Cut out the shape with scissors and bejewel the edges by studding with acrylic diamonds. Punch a hole with a paper punch or a nail. Insert the diamond and hot glue from the back of initial to secure it in place. To hang, nail punch two small holes with a finishing nail at top of the initial. Insert the wire and make a large loop so that the initial hangs in the right position on your door.

MATERIALS

• aluminum flashing 2610-865
• scissors 1136-090 or razor jaw cutters 1119-104
• paper punch 5743-886 or 3/32 nail set 1039-138
• finishing nails 2144-567
• 20 gauge wire for hanging 5463-081
• marker 5740-540
• hot glue 2047-582, 2047-591, 2047-298
• glue gun kit 2047-050
• red and green acrylic diamonds 5620-047
• ribbon
• small block of wood to hammer on

additional materials

• alphabet stencil 1682-593
• monogram font

Note: Some items may need to be special-ordered.

Child's Play

A folding easel is an ideal activity and learning centre for young children.

This easel is a great way to entertain a young child, and subtly reinforce learning at the same time. Its double-sided design incorporates a chalk board, a wipe board and a metal strip for magnets, plus troughs to hold chalk, crayons and other bits and pieces, for hours of stimulating fun away from computer and TV screens.

This easy-to-build project makes a terrific Christmas gift for children aged three and up. It folds down for convenient storage and the legs can be lengthened or shortened depending on the child’s size.

And how special would it be to give a gift you made yourself?

Click Here to download detailed instructions, or pick up a copy of the winter issue of Home at Home magazine.

PS--Not quite sure why the little girl looks blue. Perhaps she needs a hot chocolate to warm up! (Maybe one with Snowman Poop!)

Word Play

Make a seasonal statement with wall art that celebrates the essence of the holidays.

STEP-BY-STEP

1. Craft the form from 2” rigid foam insulation cut into 20” squares using a saw to ensure a clean sharp edge.
2. Prime with Acryl-lok (1850-241).
3. Paint desired base colour with Beauti-Tone Paint. (We used black 1835-447 white 1835-394)
4. Decide on a simple phrase and pick your favorite font on the computer. Use a photocopier to enlarge to the size you need.
5. Trace the letters on boards using carbon paper. Paint letters desired colour.
6. To hang: Use self leveling hangers (2352-554). Mark their position, then dip nails in white glue and attach the hanger to back of foam. Let dry.

Attention Crafters!

Ignite your senses with this stunning centrepiece. Our tray is 32” long, but you can customize the length to suit your needs.

What you will need

MATERIALS

• aluminum flashing 2610-865
• Pliobond glue 2020-119
• flat black spray paint 1720-187
• 1” x 1” pine 8’
• 8” x 32” 3/16” plywood board
• 2” x 2” pine 1’
• finishing nails 2144-567
• scissors 1136-090
• carpenters glue 2020-164
• votive holders (22) 4332-038
• clear acrylic diamonds 5620-047
• tea light 4330-234 or battery operated tea lights 4327-366

Instructions for 8" x 32" Tray

1. Cut upper frame from 1" pine with mitre corners at 7” and 31”. Glue and nail.
2. Place the frame over the aluminum flashing, mark the dimensions and cut metal to size. (Heavy-duty scissors can be used.)
3. Place the frame over the plywood, mark the dimensions and cut plywood to size.
4. Cut four legs from 2” pine. (Legs measure 2” square.)
5. Paint all wood pieces black.
6. Glue metal to plywood backing.
7. Nail metal backing to frame.
8. Nail and glue the legs through base at corners.
9. Stylize. Place glass votive holders (22) in the tray. Place acrylic diamonds around the base of the votive holders. Place a tea light or battery tea light in the holder.

Caution: Never leave burning candles unattended, and always keep out of reach of children and pets.