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Subway Art + Ballard Designs + sandpaper = Family Rules Subway Art

February 26, 2010 43 Comments

Subway Art is all the rage in blogland. So are Family Rules projects. I liked both concepts, but needed to tweak things so that they fit my style.

I love the subway art that Lil Blue Boo did. You can read her tutorial on how she did this piece here. I went over and got great advice. However, most subway art seems too stark… too industrial for my tastes.

Then there are darling canvases like this one that Jen at Tatertots & Jello did. However, there is no. way. that I could put something this sweet in my house full of boys.

Inspired by two Ballard Designs prints that I love, but would NEVER pay $250 a piece for,rustic, subway art, family rules, orange, color, distressed, shabby chic
I came up with my own subway art/family rules hybrid art piece.

subway art, family rules, orange, distressed, DIY
I started the project with Helvetica font on a Word document.
I taped the the pieces of paper together and took it to Kinko’s where they ran it through a copier they use for big things like blueprints. It was 75 cents a square foot, and I wanted it to be 2′ x 3′ so it cost about $4.

I had purchased a 24″ x 48″ pre-cut plywood board at my hardware store and had them cut it down to 24″ x 36″. I sanded it down, primed it and painted it white. I stood the painted board against the wall and taped my poster sized copy to it. Using a level, I marked guidelines across the board with a pencil.

I then cut the text into strips to make it more manageable and used a spray adhesive on the back of the paper strips to adhere it to regular old contact paper. (It doesn’t matter what color, print, etc.)

I used a brayer to make sure it was good and secure to the contact paper, then I cut it into individual lines of text.

I made little marks so I knew where to put the letters once I cut them out.

Yes. I cut out each one of those suckers with an exacto knife. It was a suckfest and took me two days. I did one line at a time. Peel the backing from the contact paper off of the letter and place it on the board, rubbing it down securely with the brayer.

When all the letters were tightly adhered, I took the board outside and sprayed another coat of white paint over the entire thing.

I knew I wanted something with a lighter, kind of citrus-y feel, so I broke out the red and yellow acrylic paint and just started mixing. My intention was to sand it down, so I didn’t worry about it being perfect.

I didn’t let the gnats bother me too much. I figured the stupid little dive-bombers would add to the rusticity of the piece.

When the whole piece was covered, I made sure the paint application looked balanced….

then I let it dry a little bit before I started peeling off the letters.

Some of the brushed on paint seeped under the letter, so I cleaned the edges up by scraping it lightly with a dulled exacto blade.

Once completely dry, I sanded it lightly and then made a wash of 1 part champagne colored metallic paint to 3 parts water. I brushed it on and wiped it off several times to add an aged look to the piece.

Then I sanded the crap out of it. (A technical term for sanded it and sanded it and sanded it.)

I painted an old frame I got at an estate sale for $1 and popped the board into that. (It’s not perfect, and it’s held in there with duct tape, but it works. Shh. Don’t tell anyone.)

subway art, orange, distressed, color, family rules, tutorial
It was kind of a pain, but the whole project cost me $15.
Not bad.
And my boys can never again say that they didn’t know they weren’t allowed to throw a ball in my living room….


Filed Under: Crafts, project du jour, spray paint, tutorial

Comments

  1. Amanda Jo says

    February 26, 2010 at 9:55 PM

    I LOVE IT! I’ve seen these all over the place but none of the others are just right for my home! This one is FANTASTIC! I am SO going to attempt to do this myself! Thanks for showing us how!

    Reply
  2. MiMi says

    February 26, 2010 at 11:09 PM

    SO cute!
    First I was like, “no, Viv did not make that sign at the top…she wouldn’t have put “recycle” and “hike often” on it. I mean, they are nice sentiments, but you have a little guy and I knew it was gonna be more “little guy” oriented.
    Anyway, I love these ideas, they are all over the place and of course I’m gonna have to copy it.
    I’m so gonna steal that “don’t play ball in the house” one. Cuz I say that 5 bazillion jazillion times a day.
    Also, one question. What color nail polish is that?? Love.

    Reply
  3. Shawn says

    February 26, 2010 at 11:35 PM

    I would need a mainline of Patron in order to do that. I have the patience of a gnat!

    Reply
  4. Myya says

    February 27, 2010 at 12:25 AM

    I love that!!! I’d love to do something like that but… yeah, it ain’t happenin in my house anytime soon anyways! I like the words you chose & LOVE the orange-ish color. Oh & I agree with Macey – love the nail polish! 🙂

    Reply
  5. Becca says

    February 27, 2010 at 1:38 AM

    It looks fantastic!!! You did awesome. And you have so much more patience than I do- you know, you could make these things and sell them for a bundle???

    ~Becca

    Reply
  6. Lori E says

    February 27, 2010 at 4:11 AM

    What a great job you did. Only $15.00
    Probably $150 worth of your time. That was a big project. I don’t know that I would have had the patience but I love the look.

    Reply
  7. jenjen says

    February 27, 2010 at 7:56 PM

    Vivienne!!!

    Wow – this is awesome! I am so impressed that you cut each of those out by hand. Wow!!!

    It is awesome! Do you mind if I blog about it and direct people over to see it?

    XOOX
    Jen

    Reply
  8. Maridith says

    February 28, 2010 at 3:17 AM

    Love it!! Wow you are patient to cut out all those letters. Great job! Love that you show not all projects turn out perfect the first time!!
    BTW- you know I think you are awesome so I have passed along an award your way.

    Have a great rest of the weekend!

    Reply
  9. Jen says

    February 28, 2010 at 8:33 PM

    OMG – I bought the stuff to make a canvas months ago and never got around to it – and now I want to do this! That looks FABULOUS. Hmmm, decisions…

    Reply
  10. Kelli @ RTSM says

    March 3, 2010 at 4:32 PM

    So cute! I love that you just worked with all the imperfections {the gnats} and it turned out so great! I love the color too! I have had a huge canvas in my bedroom for years and nothing to put on..I guess I need to get busy:) Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  11. Jessica @ This Blessed Life says

    March 3, 2010 at 4:41 PM

    holy crap that is outstanding! yours is the best one i’ve ever seen – seriously!

    Reply
  12. gilvearbebes says

    March 3, 2010 at 5:08 PM

    could you make one of these for me? is it for sell? please contact me at teegilvear@hotmail.com
    thanks! i LOVE it!!

    Reply
  13. Staci says

    March 3, 2010 at 5:16 PM

    That it so awesome. I may try this but use my cricut to cut out the letters. I would love to add this as a rule sign in our playroom.

    Reply
  14. ♥Amber Filkins♥ says

    March 3, 2010 at 5:23 PM

    Viv!! I absolutely LOVE it!! I mean, seriously. This is my favorite of ALLLLL the many I’ve seen. I love the family rules & subway art combined. I am definitely going to have to do your version. But ya, I’ll probably be borrowing my cousin’s Cricut. 🙂

    Happy day! ♥ ya friend!!

    Reply
  15. Elz says

    March 3, 2010 at 5:38 PM

    I LOVE IT. I am this close (fingers together) to finishing my Family Rules canvas and now I’m even closer to scrapping it and doing this instead. I love it. Augh, conflicted.

    Reply
  16. Kelley says

    March 3, 2010 at 5:44 PM

    I love it….I too have wanted to do the family rules and also the subway art…but not really feeling the fit in my house. I would need to find away aroundt he “suckfest” I dont think I have the patience. But it sure paid off on your piece…its great!

    Reply
  17. Misti of Studio M Designs says

    March 3, 2010 at 5:48 PM

    I DO LOVE THIS PROJECT! Oh, and you cracked me up reading the process!

    ~Misti

    Reply
  18. Rhonda says

    March 3, 2010 at 5:51 PM

    Wow, you did an amazing job! I LOVE it! Yes, these have been all over blogland and on my project list. Someday…someday!

    Reply
  19. Fancy Pants says

    March 3, 2010 at 6:30 PM

    I absolutely love this piece! You did a fabulous job! I HAVE to make one now. And I loved all the rules you used. Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  20. Wendy says

    March 3, 2010 at 6:50 PM

    Love this ~ you did such a great job and the colors are fabulous! So glad Jen from Tatertots and jello pointed you out to all of us 🙂

    Reply
  21. jennykate77 says

    March 3, 2010 at 8:42 PM

    I LOVE this Vivienne!!!! It looks absolutely amazing! I can’t believe you cut each little letter out with the exacto…wow!

    Hope you’re having a great week!♥

    Reply
  22. Room to Inspire says

    March 4, 2010 at 4:19 AM

    This is simply fantastic! And like others, I can’t believe you cut them all out – your rock!

    Chelsea

    Reply
  23. Randi says

    March 4, 2010 at 12:44 PM

    That’s so great! I love the color … the final effect is fantastic.

    Reply
  24. J.J. says

    March 5, 2010 at 2:15 AM

    that is so pretty Viv! I love the orange!!!

    Reply
  25. Erin says

    March 24, 2010 at 3:51 PM

    Man, were we on the same wavelength or what? This is what I had done: http://decorallure.blogspot.com/2010/02/vintage-family-rules-sign.html
    But I love the color you chose! Beautiful. I’ve been wanting to do a robin’s egg blue one next. Great job!

    Reply
  26. Carmen says

    April 6, 2010 at 1:22 AM

    I really, really, really love this! The orange is perfect. Your rules make me smile. 🙂

    I’ve been sitting here for the past 1/2 hour reading your blog. Love it!

    Reply
  27. DREW'S MOM says

    June 17, 2010 at 3:03 PM

    That came out soooo GOOD.. and for only $15.. wow! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  28. Stephanie@cre8tive says

    August 11, 2010 at 3:33 AM

    Yep, yours caught my eye on Tater Tots and Jello’s post. Wow I am so impressed with your patience and talent. It really was a fun post to read. You should get an award for your effort and time you put into it! Most of the subway art projects posted are done with a machine, you took it to the next level! The good old fashion way, I love your style.

    Reply
  29. Anonymous says

    August 28, 2010 at 4:57 PM

    Sweet website, I had not come across viv-spot.blogspot.com before in my searches!
    Keep up the excellent work!

    Reply
  30. The Crafty Gals says

    December 10, 2010 at 3:52 PM

    I love, love love it!! I actually haven’t seen this anywhere else before but your is awespme. I’ll be featuring it on my blog. Something this fabulous needs to be shared all over.

    Reply
  31. StinkerbellSteph says

    December 29, 2010 at 5:15 AM

    Amazing! I so love your family rules, project and jealous you can find such great deals like that frame to perfectly accent all your hard work! Never been good at any of the above but, so impressed with yours!

    Reply
  32. Sarah @ Sarahndipities says

    February 11, 2011 at 3:46 PM

    Hi! Love your blog and projects! I’ve featured you in my Friday Finds post this week on my blog! Go take a peek! Thanks for your amazing ideas!

    http://sarahndipities.blogspot.com/2011/02/friday-finds-subway-art.html

    -Sarah

    Reply
  33. Amy Gilman and Emily Lee (Sisters of the Wild West) says

    March 1, 2011 at 12:25 AM

    This final project turned out really great. I just love the aged look. You just can’t beat saving alot of money with a little hard work!

    Reply
  34. Danielle Bartran says

    March 2, 2011 at 8:28 PM

    This is AMAZING! I might have to add this to my TO DO list…

    Reply
  35. Danielle Bartran says

    March 3, 2011 at 5:02 PM

    I couldn’t help myself and made a printable version using your idea. Yours is better, but this will do until I have the time to break out the paint: http://daniellebartran.blogspot.com/2011/03/attempt-at-organization.html

    and here is the printable: http://daniellebartran.blogspot.com/2011/03/family-rules-printable.html

    Reply
  36. Kim says

    March 13, 2011 at 2:48 PM

    Oh my god! I can’t believe you cut out each letter! But it does look amazing. By the way, I really love your blog and all of your projects are wonderful. I completely plan on stealing this one!I’m following now!

    Kim
    http://www.kim-toomuchtimeonmyhands.blogspot.com

    Reply
  37. "Lucky" says

    March 14, 2011 at 5:34 AM

    LOVE your color choice and how you decorated the space surrounding your art! Orange is yummy. I’ve had our house rules printed and hung on the microwave (because I was afraid my list wasn’t complete; I’ve added 3 more rules since posting them). Your project has given me inspiration to finalize the list and create an art piece! Thanks for the detailed tutorial 😀

    Reply
  38. Anonymous says

    April 20, 2011 at 7:46 PM

    Hey – I am certainly happy to find this. Good job!

    Reply
  39. Anonymous says

    October 27, 2011 at 3:10 PM

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE this!!! I got a frame yesterday & was looking for an idea….found it Thanks!!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Happy Holidays: DIY Monogrammed Ornament -- Tatertots and Jello says:
    December 3, 2015 at 4:00 AM

    […] can be done, by the way. Before Cricuts were available, I made this Family Rules subway art, cutting each letter out by hand with an X-Acto knife. (It was enough to make me consider becoming […]

    Reply
  2. Make a Monogrammed ornament the old fashioned way - without an electronic cutting machine. - The V Spot says:
    December 17, 2015 at 6:01 AM

    […] can be done, by the way. Before I had my Cricut , I made this Family Rules subway art, cutting each letter out by hand with an X-Acto knife. (It was enough to make me consider becoming […]

    Reply
  3. Make a Monogrammed ornament the old fashioned way - without an electronic cutting machine. | The V Spot says:
    November 24, 2017 at 1:36 PM

    […] can be done, by the way. Before I had my Cricut , I made this Family Rules subway art, cutting each letter out by hand with an X-Acto knife. (It was enough to make me consider becoming […]

    Reply
  4. Or you could, you know.... GET A JOB!!!!! | The V Spot says:
    August 5, 2020 at 2:35 PM

    […] Several months back I did a tutorial on my Family Rules project. […]

    Reply

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