God love Alisa for coming to us in the midst of this horrid chilly winter mess, and giving us something else to think about. Why do I love this post so much (despite the fact that Alisa outs herself as a crafter)? It’s in no way sponsored–it’s just a really neat way she figured out to spruce up her walls without a ginormous price tag. Also, without a ton of interior-decorating sense, which is something I can always relate to. And she does it all with her trademark wicked sense of humor. So whether you are dreaming of springtime and freshening up a bit, or need a cool, original gift for someone, check this savvy chick out! As always, thanks, Alisa!
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I know, I know. Mom of the Year is not for self-described Martha Stewarts. The first rule of Mom of the Year Club is no crafting. But I have a confession to make. I’m crafty. I’m pretty handy with a hot glue gun. I may have made a tablecloth with Sharpie markers and a sheet from Wal-Mart. I sewed curtains for my kitchen windows. You get the idea.
But before you start getting all judgey or jealous about my craftiness, you should know that my skill set is limited and it does not extend into the realm of interior decorating. In fact, I’m embarrassed to admit that we’ve lived in our house for over two years now and there are still rooms with bare walls. I’ve been attempting to remedy this for quite a while now, but my lack of skills in this department continues to defeat me.
For one, interior decorating seems to fall into the same category as fashion for me. It requires both knowledge of what is fashionable and the ability to match different pieces together. Considering I can barely dress myself, interior decorating is completely out of the question. Additionally, I’m frugal. I can’t stand paying big bucks on an item for which the sole purpose is looking pretty and filling empty space. (That’s MY job in this family!)
Naturally, I can’t avoid those bare walls forever, so I recently started browsing the Pottery Barn website looking for art inspiration. I can’t afford anything from Pottery Barn, but a girl can dream right? Plus there are all kinds of websites out there with DIY projects for knock off Pottery Barn and West Elm décor. Eventually, I stumbled on this framed print of the Brooklyn Bridge from the New York Times Archive.
Cue epiphany. I’ve been to New York. I have even been on that bridge. In fact, I walked all the way to Brooklyn on that bridge and took pictures. I’m not a photographer, but I figured I must have at least one decent picture of it. It certainly wouldn’t be New York Times quality, but it’s a memory. A place I travelled. A conversation piece. I bounced the idea off my husband and he suggested that we look for a canvas print deal. Canvas prints are popular right now so companies are regularly running specials. And with a canvas print, framing would be optional.
I browsed the pictures from our New York trip until I found a winner and subsequently found a great deal through http://www.esigns.com/canvas/ for a 16 X 20 print for $30!* The framed 16 x 20 print from Pottery Barn was $300, which made the penny pincher inside squee with glee. I love a good bargain. What do you think of my fancy knock off Pottery Barn art?
For the record, I think it’s a win! I’m very happy with the quality of the print and the price. Not to mention this DIY craft project is even safe for all of you craft-phobics out there (ahem, Meredith).
*Sadly, the deal through eSigns is no longer available. But if you keep your eyes peeled, I’m sure another one will pop up should you want to create your own DIY art!
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Anna says
OOOOHHHHH! Love that!! Off to look through my old vacation pics – I’m sure there’s a beach in there somewhere!
Alisa says
For as many trips to Florida as we have taken, I was surprised that I didn’t have a good beach picture. Can’t wait to see yours!
AlisaFan says
Clearly Alisa *is* a great interior decorator! As evidenced by the great bargain art she made! I love it! I’m so doing this! THANK YOU!!!
Alisa says
I will give you that this interior decorating project was a win! Thanks!
Stephanie says
Wow! I like yours better because the lamp post on the right is really cute!
Alisa says
I like the lamp post too! I think that is one of my favorite features! Thanks!
Jessica F. says
I have also been to NYC and on that bridge! I wonder if I have a good pic too… I love the sentimentality of it and the price! Ooh la la the price!!! A great one that my husband loves would be a nice bday present for him this year. I’ll keep checking like Amazon Local and Groupon and stuff too. Thanks so much!
Alisa says
Anything that the husband approves of is totally a win. My hubby is definitely my toughest critic. 🙂
Kathy Radigan says
I’m a New York girl so you had me with Brooklyn Bridge, but this is also a great idea to fill walls with pictures that mean a lot to you and your family! Thanks for a great tip!!
Alisa says
I have a thing for bridges and the Brooklyn Bridge is one of my favorites. I also love the Golden Gate since I’m a California girl. 🙂
WhenCrazyMeetsExhaustion says
That is DEFINITELY a win!! And here’s another tip from a cheapo, I mean, crafty me: if you sign up for sites like Picaboo and Shutterfly, they run promotions, sometimes on the fly on their FB pages, where you can make these canvas arts and so much more for, like, 50% off! Thank you for the idea and inspiration!
Alisa says
I love Shutterfly and I have found some great deals there. Originally, I found the eSigns deal through Woot, another great place to hunt down bargains.
Julie Phelps says
Another source for discounted prices on canvas prints, metal prints, and more is Social Living. Groupon too, I believe. I’ve gotten several such prints – 8 x 10 size – for $5.00 each! And Walgreens digital printing is always having great promotional prices for prints of all types. Just upload to their site and pick up the finished product from a local Walgreens.
Alisa says
How’s the quality at Walgreens? I order my Christmas cards from them because I can do them online while the kids are napping and walk to pick them up an hour later. So convenient! I am very happy with my cards but curious about the quality on the bigger items. Let me know and thanks for the tip!
Jen at PIWTPITT.com says
We have lots of our pictures from our travels framed around the house, but I’ve never done a canvas before. I will definitely look into that! Thanks!!
Alisa says
We mostly have framed photos in our house and not a lot of “art.” I love that this sorta doubles as both. 🙂
HouseTalkN says
My name is Kerry and I’m crafty. I love this! So fun to see you here!
Alisa says
Crafters unite!
Frugalistablog says
Fabulous! Pottery Barn is for lazy people with money to burn. Who needs them when we have innovation, a budget and thank heavens, an online place that makes canvas prints?! Ha!
Alisa says
I feel like having kids has sapped some of my creative juices (and most of my time for projects) but I wholeheartedly agree! How do you keep your crafty mojo going?
Anna says
Love this idea! I’m wondering what good pics I have from our (not so many) family travels. Thanks so much for sharing!
Alisa says
This photo is from a trip we took before we had kids. All the photos from our family vacations are of the kiddos so I had to dig deep for this one. Maybe you have some from a pre-kid adventure?
Janine Huldie says
My in-laws went to Ireland and actually did something similar with some photos that my husband’s dad took. He is by no means a photographer or an artist, but still loved the concept and thank you for sharing your beautiful photo of the Brooklyn Bridge here with us, too today 🙂
Alisa says
It’s not just about having a fancy photo to display; it’s also about the memory and the experience it represents. You don’t have to be a photographer to capture the moment! 🙂
The Shitastrophy says
I love this! I have so many 8 x 10 or 5 x 7 but never think of going big or go home size! I just redid my office…I am sure I can find some awesome photo of my kids to have mega sized. Thanks!
Alisa says
I thought 16×20 was enormous until I saw it on the wall. It’s actually perfect!
Jessica says
What an awesome idea. We have some great pictures from our trip to the sand dunes. I need to do this!
Alisa says
Ooo! If you had multiple pictures you could do a series of 8 x 8 canvases. Maybe a triptych?
Sherry L says
I love your new artwork! Handmade art and photos from your own personal stash hold much more meaning than any art print for sale anywhere. Kudos to you for making a fabulous piece of art.
Alisa says
Thanks! It feels good to get my crafty on AND produce something meaningful.
AnnMarie says
I love this! I am the same way with bare walls and the need (but not the skills) to decorate. I am going to start looking for some pictures ASAP. I love the idea of getting a picture of all the places we’ve been and making wall art with them.
Alisa says
Go girl! We had fun looking through our old pictures and reminiscing about the early years of our marriage when it was just the two of us. There were many good times!
Darcy Perdu (So Then Stories) says
What a clever idea! Looks so professional!
Alisa says
Thanks! I was very happy with the quality of the print — very professional looking for a great price. 🙂
Hollow Tree Ventures says
That looks fabulous! You’re making me want to go through my photos…
Alisa says
Thanks! I had fun looking through my photos except when I saw a much younger, less tired version of myself. And I said to myself, “Self, you need some under eye cream.” Ha!
Eli@coachdaddy says
You should put suckers like that on ebay for, like, $60. Or $90.
Would it still be crafty if the picture was, say, of Jennifer Lawrence or a stormtrooper?
Honestly, this is pretty cool, and wouldn’t make a bad birthday present.
Alisa says
It would be amazing if I could sell them. I have a serious coffee habit I need to support. 🙂
Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms says
A bargain with tremendous sentimental value? Love. It. I am so bad about getting pictures into albums, but surely I could get one photo on the wall? Ellen
Alisa says
Absolutely! Albums are right up there with dusting the ceiling cobwebs in my house. Occasionally I attempt to tackle them until I remember that I’m not filming a Mission Impossible movie and I resume I coffee drinking on the couch. Maybe I’ll try again next year…
Nicole Leigh Shaw says
I love this! Need to get organized and try it.
Alisa says
Is it possible to be organized as a mom? No, seriously… 🙂
Susan @Divine Secrets of a Domestic Diva says
You almost lost me, as a fellow non-crafter, but this looks like something that even I could do.
Maybe.
I’m willing to at least try it out!
Love the idea!
Alisa says
This one is definitely non-crafter friendly! The hardest part if finding a picture where your hair looks good. 😉
Amy - Funny Is Family says
I love the idea of gallery-style art that is personal. I think Costco does something similar, and I’m staring at bare walls right now thinking it’s time to pull the trigger on “moving in.” We’ve only lived here five years. Thanks for the inspiration, Alisa!
Alisa says
Oooo! I just got a Costco membership recently! I’ll check them out next time. They do everything!