This week’s challenge on the CSI Project is Frames, Art and Wall Decor.
This was the perfect excuse to finally get some decor done for my kid’s playroom. One of my sponsors, Johnnie from Saved by Love Creations, gave me two totally awesome pop art/cartoon sketches of my kids.
I sent Johnnie these pictures of my kids…
and she worked her magic and they came out looking like this…
Aren’t they so awesome? I love how she took the picture of my daughter looking upward to look like the sun is shining in her face. Johnnie printed them out on 20” x 20” poster paper for me.
I got some 1” MDF cut to 19” x 19” then I used some 3M 77 Spray Adhesive to adhere them to the MDF. I sprayed the MDF and the back of the print. It makes it SUPER sticky. Then I placed the MDF carefully on the back of the poster. You definitely want to get it right the first time, there is no replacing it once it is down.
Then with my hand I pressed it flat and burnished it down.
After it was dry I flipped it over and used an Exacto knife to cut away the excess. Then I used some sandpaper and sanded downward to make the edges look a little worn.
Then I used the magic stuff. It is called Z-gel, it is a canvas texturizing medium If you google “canvas texturing medium” there are a few other brands, but I got the Z-gel from a local shop for free so I don’t have any secret sources. They use this stuff in frame shops to take $5 poster prints and transform them into what looks like an oil painting. Oh..yah…and then they sell them for $100.
Using the lines the print already had, I took a one inch foam brush and “painted” the poster. I tried following the lines and curves that Johnnie created. I created texture where there was supposed to be some definition with simple brushstrokes.
Thin strokes are the best. The kind where you don’t even see the white of the glue. This stuff is photo safe and great on posters, prints and giclees. It dries super quick. So if you want to go back and highlight areas later you can.
While it was drying I primered and painted the sides white.
After it was all dry I used screws and wire to create a hangar on the back. It is very important to use screws and not nails when you work with MDF. 
Now it looks like I painted these myself with oil paints. They have a neat shiny texture to them. I love the way they look hanging in my playroom. It adds some charm and whimsy to my otherwise messy playroom.
Johnnie does amazing work and she is waaaaay underpriced. 
So now is the time to purchase people. Also if you tell her I sent you she will give you 10% off that!
A little about Johnnie…”I am a medical doctor turned self-taught graphic artist. I am a jewelry designing, marathon running, recovering-alcoholic, Christian wife and step momma. My first 29 years of life were spent chasing approval, money, status, and escape through intoxication. I hit the kind of bottom from which many do not return. Now I am just grateful to be alive and exploring the person I am when I depend on God.” She blogs at Saved by Love Creations and has a rockin etsy store. Are you a runner? Check out these…
Go visit Johnnie and tell her IC sent you!
I am linking to these parties.
how fantabulous! she knew just what to do with those photos, didn't she?
another great job by you, also!
my daughter gave me some texturing medium a few months ago after you blogged about it & i've never worked up the courage to try it. silly me!
Love it. I love pop art photos, especially of kids. Neat project.
Those came out so cute! I would never have thought to "frame" them the way you did on the MDF and I had never even heard about Z-gel! And I'm sure the kids love having their pictures hanging in the play room.
Saw you at the CSI project.
I love, love, love how these turned out. What a fun idea.
-Crystal
Those turned out AMAZING!!! The pop art was awesome by itself, but you really kicked it up a notch with the texturizing. Did you read my mind…my post today was similar!
~Amanda
Brilliant just brilliant, you really know how to teach and inspire people. Thanks for the step by step. I wonder if black and white photos would be fun, I will check out the site.
Wow – that is so cool. I love it!!! Really cool project Beckie!
XOXO
jen
WOW I LOVE this idea!! I may have to try this sometime!!
Okay, if I were the judge you'd be winning this challenge. I love this idea and I am going to definitely use it with photos of my soon to be 7 grands. There's 5 so far, 2 on the way. I've never heard of this texturizing stuff before.
Love this idea!!
Those are great, what a fun look, and your kids are adorable.
That rocks!! Love it – and I love the gel medium to make it look painted. AWESOME!
These are super cool! Love them ~ Off to check out Johnnie's store! =)
That is COOOL! Seriously. Z-gel sounds like it needs to come home with me! Awesome!
Wow, Beckie. Those look so cool. Thanks for the tutorial, and post.
These are fabulous! Very, very cool! Perfect for the toy room!
They look coolio–that pic of your son is funny funny!
Super-duper sassy! Love the texturizing treatment.
Very cool. Love those prints.
Your pictures were already adorable yet somehow you made them even better! I didn't even know about texturizing medium! This is truly amazing and sooooo creative! Thank you for sharing the process.
Thanks for linking up to the Mad Skills party!
madincrafts.blogspot.com
Love the bright and beautiful results, wonderful art!
Nice job on those posters! They look great.
It's uplifting to read about a positive change in someone's life, and to be able to support them in their new life is a plus, too! I'll be checking out Johnnie's site soon.
Stop by for a visit sometime!
XO
Heidi – Heart and Home
Awesome! I need to try the texturing medium.
This is adorable. I love it and would love to have you link this up at my Creative Link Share Party over at Trendy Treehouse
http://thetrendytreehouse.blogspot.com/2010/06/creative-share-blog-hop_29.html
Also wondered if you would be interested in guest blogging about this over at TT too! What a fun project!
Hope your having a great week. Tara
Those are amazing!!!! I love both of them!
Sam
Mom.Undecided.
http://momundecided.blogspot.com/
(Come on over – I'm hosting my first giveaway now!)
Those are fabulous!!
I just started selling Pampered Chef a couple months ago…and I'm DYING to get one of those slicers. Haha! Love the idea of making PBJ that way
And WAY cool idea of making the rest into croutons!
Your kids are ADORABLE!