Skill Level: Easy
Estimated Time: 3 hrs (can change based on paint or stain used)
Project ID: 20-0001
Equipment
Wrapped canvas –-> you can find these wrapped canvases at your local hobby store. They have them available in the following colors; black, white and ecru.
Exacto knife
Flathead screw driver
Needle nose pliers
Wood accelerator, wood stain or paint –-> I like to use Varathane Wood Accelerator because it dries quickly and be warned the color is not consistent so you may have variation in the final color finish. They offer it in the following colors; Weathered, Aged Wood and Charred Wood and it can be found at your local Home Depot. It washes up with soap and water.
Paintbrush
Vinyl cutting machine; such as Silhouette or Cricut –-> If you do not have a cutting machine you can find find precut heat transfer vinyl on Etsy, use search words "precut heat transfer vinyl" –-> If you have artistic skills you can skip the HTV and let them shine!
Design to cut (SVG) –-> I usually design my own or find some on Etsy
Heat transfer vinyl (HTV)
Weeding tool (for HTV)
Heat press or clothes iron
Guillotine cutter or scissors
Staple gun or heavy-duty stapler
Picture hanging hardware for the back –-> I prefer using Beehive Picture Hangers, they can be found on Amazon, they are easy to attach to the frame and breeze to hang.
Instructions
Step 1: Take the wrapped canvas and flip it over. You will see a series of staples and notice that canvas it stapled to a wooden frame. I use the exacto knife to closely cut straight to the right of the staples and remove the canvas. Tuck the canvas away on a flat surface.
Step 2: You can use flathead screw driver and needle nose pliers to remove the remaining staples and canvas on the wood frame.
Step 3: Look over the frame and make any minor repairs, if required. –-> Each wooden frame is full of surprises so don't be shocked if you need to do some minor sanding, wood filler or reinforcement. For the most part the frames are in good shape.
Step 4: Time for the wood accelerator, wood stain or paint! Pick your poison, grab your paintbrush and get busy transforming the hidden wooden frame gem into a masterpiece.
Step 5: While the frame is drying now is a good time to work on the canvas.
Step 6: Design or locate a SVG design online and cut the heat transfer vinyl (HTV) but make sure it will fit in the opening of the wooden frame. You will need to account for the frame opening and adjust your design accordingly. Don't forget to mirror your design before cutting.
Step 7: Turn on the heat press or iron so that it will be preheated and ready to go.
Step 8: Weed the HTV design using the weeding tool.
Step 9: Once the heat press or iron is up to the required temperature take the canvas that was set aside earlier and press it. This will release any moisture in the canvas and remove any wrinkles.
Step 10: Using the guillotine cutter or scissors trim the canvas so that it slightly smaller then the outer edge of back of the frame.
Step 11: Apply weeded HTV design to the canvas with the heat press or iron.
Step 12: Position the canvas to the COMPLETELY DRIED wooden frame and use a staple gun or heavy-duty stapler to attached the canvas to the frame. Be sure to keep the canvas tight, I staple one corner and then the opposite corner to help keep the canvas straight. Keep your eye on this as you staple.
Step 13: Attach the picture hanging hardware to the back of the frame and viola it's ready for prime time.
I hope you enjoyed this "How-To" series, if you have any questions or wish to leave comments, please feel free to do so below.
Also please, please TAG ME on social media @fabulouslyshabbylife if you make these, I would love to see your creations!
Stay Fabulously Shabby!
