I began by measuring my wall and deciding that I wanted 2 rows of 4 canvas prints. I looked online for different size options and decided to go with the 8x8 canvas size. Truth be told, I didn't have the option to go with the 12x12 canvas, because that would have required a wide format printer. Using the 8x8 canvas was perfect since a regular printer can print that size. I found the canvas at Jo-Ann Arts & Crafts store. The canvas are regularly about $7 each but when on sale you can find them for half the price.
The next step in this project was the most worrisome for me. I had never used Adobe Illustrator and wasn't sure how user friendly it would be. I downloaded a free trial and hoped I'd be able to complete the project without needing to purchase the software. I created a new document and selected 8 artboards. I entered 3 inch rows and set the spacing to 0. I set the size to inches and entered 8 inch to match the size of the canvas. I then created a textbook over the entire area and began copy pasting the lyrics. The program will automatically separate and print the images for each artboard. I alternated the lyrics between 3 fonts: "Trajan Pro," "Adobe Garamond," and "Dear Joe Four."
After typing out the lyrics, I found myself playing with the font sizes and character spacing in order to fill the boards perfectly. My OCD also led me to play with the spacing of words that fell right where the canvas ended. Once I was happy with the way it looked on the screen I printed this on 8 sheets of printer paper. I then used my paper Fiskars paper trimmer to trim the papers to 8x8. Before adhering them to the canvas, I painted the edges of the canvas with black paint.
Once the paint was dry I used the sponge wedge brush to apply a thin layer of Modge Podge to the canvas. I carefully placed the page of lyrics onto the canvas and smoothed it out. I found that a little Modge Podge goes a long way. I did this for all 8 canvases and once they dried, I applied a thin layer of Modge Podge in horizontal strokes over the lyrics. I waited for that to fully dry and then applied a thin layer of Modge Podge in vertical strokes down the lyrics. I found that leaving it overnight will allow some of the bumps to dry and flatten.
Last step was to add some velcro to the back of the frame and to the wall. I bought Command brand velcro strips from Target and cut them to smaller squares. Once on the wall, I was able to position the frames equidistant from each other by slightly adjusting the frame velcro on the wall velcro for each canvas frame.
I love that the layer of Modge Podge over the words seals the print but also gives it texture and lines that resemble the lines on canvas. It takes away the paper look and replaces it with a painted canvas look. Now that we've moved to a new house and have more bedroom wall space I may need to recreate this project using 12x12 canvas but first I need that wide format printer...hmmm!
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