Warning: Cast Perfectionism Aside!

Subway Art

This was not the best moment of my crafting life!

I have admired various interpretations of subway art for the last year or so. While wandering semi-aimlessly around Pinterest, I found several links that helped me clarify what I wanted my art to say. At first I was thought about locations that our families lived, but then I expanded my vision to favorite sayings, dates, and activities we love. One "pin" captured what I wanted & I found a tutorial or two to help me learn what to do.

1. Make a list of the words you want to use.

2. Use PicMonkey or other software to make the subway art. PicMonkey is a free website that will allow you to make word and photo art. Use "edit a photo" and change the background to solid black. Set the size to be proportionate to your finished project. (4x6 image can be 24x36, 5x7 can be 20x28)

1. Leave a margin around the edge. 
2. Make each category a different font. All the same is nice too.
3. Shrink the box to the edges of the word. Now you can drag the corners to make the word whatever size you want.
4. Place the words evenly spaced.
5. Save finished project to a thumb drive.

3. Take thumb drive to Staples for printing. Engineering blueprints are less than $5.00 for 24x36. They are only available in black and white (and grey). Staples charged me a small fee to resize the image from 4x6 to 24x36.

4. Easy way out: Frame in a 24x36 frame. Smile & relax.

Hanging up at last!

5. More difficult: Cut MDF to 24x36 or build a frame - 24x36 with 1x2s attached to the sides to look like canvas. Sand & dust. Paint with two coats of black paint. Mod Podge artwork to board. Or spray mount the artwork to board. If you make the wood slightly smaller than the print, the Mod Podge process will be easier because you won't be trying to match the edges.

See the wrinkles? They add character.

Learn from my mistakes Mod Podge instructions:

I will give general directions because I am a Mod Podge amateur & struggled greatly with this step -- as in tear the stupid thing apart two times, make friends with the Staples chick because I had to have it printed 4-5 times, and practice alternate cuss words frustrated!! Scott finally helped me the most by standing beside me & saying, "It just won't matter. You can antique it. Wrinkles give it character."

Matte Finish Mod Podge
Sponge Roller & Tray
Xacto knife
Brayer
Spray sealer

Lightly seal the front of the print & allow to dry. Repeat on the back. Pour a bunch of Mod Podge in the tray & spread a thin coat on the board. I did one time all over & then refreshed it when I was done. Gently roll the print from one end to the other, pressing down gently as you go. If you need to lift, work quickly! Use the brayer and fingers to smooth out the wrinkles. The paper tends to stretch A LOT as soon as it gets wet. This is normal & unavoidable in my experience. Keep working on bubbles & wrinkles. If there are a few edges that are bubbled up, use a paint brush to help sneak a little Mod Podge into the gap & press down. Once everything is good enough, spread a coat of Mod Podge over the top. Repeat when the first layer is dry.

The two things that I struggled with were lining up the edges with the board (because I had no margin) and the wrinkles/bubbles dilemma. In the end, the edges are not very noticeable because of the black paint on the board. The wet paper shrunk back down to normal when it dried leaving a few wrinkles but not as many as I feared. The fonts that I chose were not crisp to begin with so the wrinkles weren't super obvious.

Although my blog does not show it, I really am an experienced crafter. Mod Podge on a large surface with thin paper was difficult. I am so happy with the results but it was crazy hard for me!

If you haven't looked at this link, check it out. She used spray adhesive & had a much easier time!!!