The Creativity Exchange

Wall Art- Spray Painted Sticker Letters on Canvas …

Art· Crafts· Gift Ideas/Projects· Wall Ideas

This is one of those projects that the end result was not what I had set out to do. I love projects like this, when veering off the path and trying something crazy, actually produces something pretty cool.

I can’t believe I’m saying this but Yes, what you are seeing in the pictures above are spray painted sticker letters. It cracks me up! Who would have ever thought that our kid’s overflowing sticker bins are full of home decorating treasures? Not me! The letter stickers are mostly foam, felt and plastic sticker letters hijacked from my 6-year old daughter’s sticker stash.

I stumbled across spray painting various sticker letters to a canvas in my failed attempt (short cut) to make subway art. Needless to say, my subway art didn’t work out (cringe) but during the process, I fell in love with the look that the monochromatic painted canvas and stickers produced. The dimension, the textures, it’s so easy and so cheap! Maybe it’s just me (unfortunately, it wouldn’t be the first time) but I love the end result and of course I couldn’t make just one!

This project is as easy as it looks and the possibilities are endless. I used almost every type of letter sticker and die cut letters imaginable and each one worked beautifully and is now permanently attached to the canvas. I do have to say, the felt letters added a cool texture and the foam letters add dimension as you can see in this canvas that I made for a Valentine’s Day gift for a friend to put on her refrigerator:

There are a few things that I did to make sure that the stickers basically became permanent on the canvas. The most important thing in spray painting these letters to canvass or wood is to use primer after you have placed and attached the stickers to the canvas.

I used two coats of primer that I allowed to completely dry in between each coat. The primer not only seals the edges of the stickers to the canvas, but it seals the top of the foam stickers (so the spray paint doesn’t just absorb into the foam leaving foam holes, which it will without primer). Secondly, primer helps the stickers accept the spray paint better.

After the two coats of primer dried, I evenly sprayed my canvas two times with spray paint, allowing the first coat to completely dry (heavy, but not too heavy that it pools or runs). For my light colored canvasses, I spray painted the canvas black first so that the letters would have some black around the edges and on the felt letters that would add shading under the lighter top layer of paint:

For the large foam letters made by EVA that I used for the monogram canvasses, I first hot glued the letters to the canvas since it does not have adhesive. I then sprayed two coats of Gesso Spray (which is primer especially made for unprimed canvasses) because it is very thick and clay like and fills in gaps between the letter and canvas.

After I was done doing all of my spray painting and the canvasses had completely dried, I glazed and embellished several of them to accentuate the letter edges. For glazing, I used Valspar Antiquing Glaze:

I loved the look of these two canvasses before the glaze but I went ahead and glazed just to see how it would look:

I also couldn’t resist and just pushed silver office brads into the letters to bling out my monogram canvas (I had to poke a small hole with a knife tip for the flatter letters):

For several of the smaller canvasas, I am making them for Valentine’s Day gifts and have attached round magnetic buttons on the back for the refrigerator:

Wow, I still can’t believe that something so cheap can produce these fun results! I you guys decide to try this project, please send me pictures!

Thank you again for your sweet comments, emails and notes, I appreciate your feedback so much! I promise, I will be posting pictures of my laundry/craft room revamp shortly. I got a little sidetracked here with this project.

Have a fantastic week!

Cheers!

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Comments

  2. Erin says

    This is such a cute idea. I need to start thinking outside the box with the letters I have around my house more often. Way creative and great idea!

    Reply

  11. Janet says

    This is so creative! I see foam stickers on clearance in ugly colors all of the time and never would have thought to spray paint them! The glaze makes such a big difference too, great job. 🙂

    Reply

  22. The Exchange says

    Thanks Paula! I used spray primer! Black, grey, white, green, whatever I had it doesn't matter. Save yourself time and energy and just spray it and it will dry a lot faster and only takes a small amount! Have fun!!

    Reply

  26. Dear Sweet Home says

    What a great idea! Your home is beautiful – love your wall art ideas – especially the old window message boards. Thanks for the sweet words you left on my blog…I look forward to following along on your blog :0)

    Reply

  27. Gracefully Vintage says

    Cyndy, Love those, they are so cool, my daughter is pushing me to go buy some letters so she can make her owne creation-
    Thanks for stopping by my blog- YOu can get a sweet little chandelier at Lowes- Not to pricy either..
    I just Adore them
    Karryann

    Reply

  30. Anji Johnston says

    What an absolutely brilliant idea! The possibilities are endless! It's off to Micheals for me after work today – I have a few choice quotes that need displaying! Thanks!

    Reply

  31. Meg says

    Fun! I love how 3 dimensional they are. And the colors are fun, too–with spray paint you can go any direction. Brilliant!
    I hope you can join my link party! Each entry leaves you eligible to win $130 from CSN Stores.com. alittleknickknack.blogspot.com

    Reply

  37. FinsFan says

    You and Ms Funky Junk Donna are kindred spirits–with making signs and all the talent! I'm going to try making one (my own copy you challenge-HA) for valentines gifts! so glad Donna shared your blog! have a great rest/of/weekend.

    Reply

  40. Claire says

    I loved your embellished monogrammed name frames for the holidays and now these-Wow-you blew me away-how creative can one gal be-love these and I'm def gonna copy!!!!!!!!!!!Thanks for the inspirations-I'm your newest follower-come by for a visit-Claire

    Reply

  43. Katie @ OhhBaby says

    This is so neat! I love what you have done! I'm following you from one of these linky parties (I forget which one! oops!) If you get a chance, please check out my blog too! Its nice to meet you!

    Reply

  44. Judy says

    What an incredibly great idea. I have to try this. I have bins of stickers for my kids as well. Who knew how great you could make it look. I love it. Thanks so much for linking up to my party.

    Reply

  49. Anonymous says

    Such a great idea, really pleased I stumbled across your site.
    I'm not very clued up when it comes to arts and crafts. Do you know where I can get the antique glaze from (I need it delivered to the UK). I've been looking for a UK alternative and don't know what I'm looking for!!!

    Reply

  50. Mary Ruth Kozma says

    Just read your post with the gold letters! This post also has motivated me! You are so good to your readers, sharing WONDERFUL inexpensive projects with clear instructions. Thank you for your generous spirit!

    Reply

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