Hello, friends! Welcome to the summer edition of the Pinterest Challenge link party! I'm excited to see all of your awesome Pinterest-inspired projects and to share my little project, as well.
Speaking of... what do you get when you combine a pile of funky scrapbook paper, about a gallon of Mod Podge and a sentimental pregnant chick creating art for her soon-to-arrive son's nursery?
Ta da!
For my Pinterest Challenge project, I challenged myself to create this piece of art for my little man's nursery. Even though he's due in early September, David and I are waiting until the last minute to finalize his nursery because our sweet little 1952 ranch is currently on the market. More deets on that here.
With that said, I've sort of started in reverse order and began tackling some of the smaller projects for the nursery first, before we start big tasks like painting the room, etc. So far, I've created a rustic wooden growth chart and repainted a hand-me-down kiddo rocking chair with a color-block theme. That rocking chair melts my heart!
But anyways, back to the Mod Podge art project. Because our nursery work has been slow to start, it means so much to me (cue the sappy pregnant lady music!) to work on every sweet little project... and this art project was no exception!
I've seen a lot of great Mod Podge art all over Pinterest, like some of these.
I've been secretly scheming to create my own similar art for awhile, but it wasn't until I saw a painted + collaged piece of art at a local festival that inspiration really hit. The piece was essentially a rendering of the Atlanta city skyline. I. Loved. It. But for $200, I couldn't convince myself to bring it home. So what does this cheapola gal do? It was time to recreate my own.
After studying some of my favorite Atlanta landmarks online, I sketched out (ahem, I use that term loosely... I am definitely no artist!!) my vision on paper.
David and I made sure we included all of our favorite spots in the city (we both grew up here in Atlanta!), so there's a lot of sentiment in which buildings we chose. Next, I transferred my
Next up, I took this gigantic pile of scrapbook paper and began laying out pieces that I wanted to use for each building, making sure the colors and patterns worked well together.
It may look like a chaotic hot mess to you, but it was coming together for me!
Then came the tough part- cutting the buildings out of the scrapbook paper. I took the approach that this was for my little man's nursery, so I didn't need to take the fine architectural elements in each building too seriously. I tried to cut a few buildings out with a fine attention to detail and precision and they just didn't look right. So lots of buildings turned into basic squares and rectangles, and I'm okay with that : )
I asked David if he thought our son would be confused one day when I pointed out the buildings to him on the canvas and they didn't replicate the actual buildings in real life. David pointed out that he'll probably be more concerned as to why the buildings aren't painted with polka dots. Ha!
Side note: at this point, Maggie and Tucker weren't too sure how this was going to turn out. Let's take a brief moment to capture their thoughts about the project.
Mhmmmmmm.
Much to their chagrin, the piece really started coming together!
After cutting out the shapes, it was time to glue these suckers down. Enter Mod Podge, an awesome glue/sealant/adhesive product that works on just about everything. By the way, I didn't actually use a gallon of Mod Podge like I said above, that was just me being silly. I used two gallons. Duh. I simply painted the glue on the back of all of the paper, as well as the canvas and certain corners and edges of the paper that liked to stick up.
I think it's starting to look like art....
And yes, that'd be my 31 week baby bump taking up a large part of this picture... it's kind of hard to get it out of the way at this point, even for blog pictures ; )
Next, I decided to paint the edges of the canvas with some craft paint for some extra detail. We're planning on using a lot of navy in the nursery, so it was an easy choice as to which color to use. I taped off the edges of the top so it'd be easier to paint the sides, but honestly I still had to wipe up smears that got onto the top part of the canvas.
I also added some green paper at the bottom of the piece to represent grass. Luckily, we actually do have a lot of greenery in Atlanta, so this is pretty accurate!
And the finished product?
Here's a close-up of each section of the piece. I included the Varsity restaurant (what'll ya have?), the Coca-Cola building, the gold-domed state Capitol, the rotating Westin hotel, Turner Field (home of the Braves), the Georgia Power building, the Bank of America building and the Fox Theater.
I'm kind of in love. I think it will be perfect for the nursery!
I really love the navy blue side accents, too.
Oh and by the way, I randomly took these photos in my kitchen/ mud room area!
Looks good in there, right? ; ) Since we haven't painted the nursery yet, it was the space with the best lighting available when I snapped these pictures. I did take one little shot of the piece in the nursery, with the rug that will be in the room. And yes, that wall color is dreadful. It can't wait to be painted.
All in all, I'm really happy with the piece. You can't see me, but I'm raising the roof (again) for Pinterest. Virtual high-five for being so inspirational, big P.
If you want to learn more about our budding nursery, you can check out these related posts: choosing a nursery room, buying a crib and glider, creating a rustic wooden growth chart and repainting a hand-me-down kiddo rocking chair with a color-block theme.
Speaking of... what were you inspired to make via Pinterest? It's time for you to link up your projects! And don't forget to link up with Sherry, Katie and Kate as well!
LINK PARTY:
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This is so cute! I love all the different patterns you chose to use!
ReplyDeleteI love your DIY artwork, so personal and matches the room too. Great job. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteMichelle, that is ADORABLE! So creative and so well done . . . harder than it looks to pull that off.
ReplyDeleteMichelle, too cute!!! I love what you did with all the fun papers and patterns. :) Thank you so much for hosting...I linked up a new recipe. I love the chocolate/peanut butter combo! :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a beautiful skyline! Lovely contrast with the dark edge. Awesome!!
ReplyDeleteMichelle - That is really adorable and looks like something you'd pay a lot for from Land of Nod. I might have to do one with a Charlotte, NC skyline.
ReplyDeleteSuch a perfect piece for your little guy's nursery! I love your personal touches and inclusion of your special spots!
ReplyDeleteSo sweet! I love this skyline and all the different patterns. This is a lovely piece of personalized art!
ReplyDeleteOkay...this is so cute. You rocked this one, M! Perfect for baby boy's nursery:) Thanks for hosting!!
ReplyDeleteThat came out so awesome!!! I don't have kids but would love one of those from everywhere we've lived ... great way to capture a memory and personalize it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the party!! :)
I have found your blog through Katie and Sherry! Loving it! I am excited to participate in the challenge this time, too!
ReplyDeleteMichelle that is just too cute! I can't wait to see the whole nursery!
ReplyDeleteSo cute! I lived in Atlanta for a summer while I was in university (my father worked in GA for a few years) and LOVED it! This is such a great idea for nursery art and it will be extra special when your little bean learns you made it just for him :)
ReplyDeleteMichelle! It's adorable! I love the colors and patterns you ended up with. Makes me wish I had a baby on the way to make something similar. :) Thanks for hosting!!
ReplyDeleteWow! First time blog visitor here! I love love LOVE your mod podge nursery art! I just pinned and put it on my TO DO list - so adorable! Great job!
ReplyDeleteFirst time visitor to your lovely blog! Your nursery art is so adorable...thanks for the inspiration! xo
ReplyDeleteOMG! So cute!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! Great job.
ReplyDeleteAgh I love it! I've lived in Atlanta for 4 years now and love it! You have mad mod podge skills! (haha I just wanted to say mad mod -- dork alert)
ReplyDeleteThat is amazing...so colorful and cute! You may have just birthed a new Etsy store, too! :) Great project -- thanks for the fun party!
ReplyDeleteI love it!! What a cool and sentimental idea! I'd love to join your interest link party but I haven't done any Pinterest-inspired crafts lately...maybe if I can bang one out in the next couple days I'll come back and link up! Awesome job on your projects Michelle!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh your artwork is amazing! I love that it's not too baby-ish - it will totally grow with him. Great job girlie!
ReplyDeleteAs another Georgia gal, I LOVE this project and will seriously have to yank this to Pinterest for future inspiration. I might take an Athens spin on it, since that's our little home.
ReplyDeleteGreat job, and thanks for hosting a fun challenge!
Erin @ The Great Indoors
This is super adorable- I love it!!! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome project. It looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool idea! I've never seen anything like that before. It will be a lot of fun to explain it to your baby when he's a bit older.
ReplyDeleteLOVE! This is so adorable :)
ReplyDeleteThat is sooo adorable! I love how you are somewhat doing your son's nursery in reverse as I am doing the same thing!! We're currently doing a ton of renovations so he won't even have officially have a room till a few month's after he is born but I'm still making little projects for his room as well! Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I am totally jealous of your paper stash! This idea is so adorable. I think I am going to have to make this with my son this weekend for Minneapolis. What a fun way this will be to teach him about some of the landmarks of the city. Thanks so much for the inspiration...pinning now!!!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh. It came out beautifully. I have to agree with Jackie I'm having jealousy pangs over your cool paper stash. Your little man is going to love it!
ReplyDeleteI've never read your blog before, (jumped over from YHL,) but I will now! This project is amazing! So, so cute and sweet for the nursery.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great job! The colors are amazing and it is so fresh and fun. Perfect for the nursery. So cute!
ReplyDeleteOooh, I love it! It's so personal and sentimental :)
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love this! My favorite view of the Atlanta skyline is the bridge from the connector southbound to 20 east... I *hope* for delays there, so I can drink it all in! This really is a charming piece, and I bet your son will love it!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Your Atlanta bits make me simultaneously heart-warmed and homesick- but in a good way; I love that city!
It's absolutely adorable and perfect for the baby's room! Thanks for hosting today!
ReplyDeleteI love it! Such a great idea for my boys room. Thank you for hosting!
ReplyDeleteWoah, how clever! You totally nailed this!
ReplyDeleteI love that idea! And the personalized skyline? May have to do that!
ReplyDeleteMichelle this is such a cute idea!!! Love it. So creative. Thanks for hosting such an awesome link party. :)
ReplyDeleteYour nursery art is darling! Nice job!! :)
ReplyDeleteThe skyline came out great. I recognized several things right away (fellow GA resident here).
ReplyDeleteOn a side note - I accidentally copied and pasted Katie's tee-pee link! So sorry... :(
Thanks for hosting.
Oh my GOSH, I'M IN LOVE. I've been in Atlanta about 10 years now and I consider myself an Atlantan. My fiancee has lived here most of his life. We're getting married in a month and our goal was to keep it as close to 100% Atlanta focused as possible. Your skyline is so cute, we're both in love with it. (Yes, I send him links to everything I love on the Internet - he needs to get on Pinterest and save me some time.) Once we're done with wedding things, I'm going to try for my own skyline. I don't have nearly the paper stash that you do, or the artistic skill, but I have to give it a shot! Thanks so much for sharing your project.
ReplyDeleteI love it! It so cool, I am going to have to get some modge podge right away!
ReplyDeleteI pinned it (because what fun is a Pinterest challenge without pinning?) and I'm totally going to copy that navy edge- I'm loving it!
ReplyDeleteJessica
stayathomeista.com
Very cool. I love Atlanta.
ReplyDeleteI found your blog through this-here Pinterest Challenge & I'm in love! My husband, almost 2-year-old and I live outside of Atlanta (in Marietta) and this is an AMAZING idea! I love it, great job!!
ReplyDeleteI'll be following along in the future :)
This is just gorgeous! thanks for the fun party!
ReplyDeleteXO
Kristin
So cute!!! The colors just make me happy :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the link party!! xox
This turned out fabulous! I remember many of these landmarks (The Varsity, Fox Theater) from when we were in town for Haven. (Unfortunately my husband never got his, "What'll ya have?". Boo.) You really did a great job capturing Atlanta's landmarks. Adorable nursery art.
ReplyDeleteI love it. And now that gives me something else to put on my Pinterest list. Thanks for letting me link up...love this idea!! :)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness girl, this is amazing! You Rocked it!
ReplyDeleteThat is the cutest skyline I think I've ever seen! Totally nursery friendly without being too babyish or pastel. Love it!
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute idea!!
ReplyDeleteAdorable! I'm sure baby Ten June will love it! Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteI totally love your modgepodge city art!!! It's so cute and I'm sure your little baby is going to LOVE it too!!! Thanks for hosting!!!
ReplyDeleteoh my gosh! Michelle! This is so adorable!!
ReplyDeleteWow! I'm so impressed! This is absolutely adorable and will look great in baby's room.
ReplyDeleteI just pinned your Pinterest project - I love that idea and yours turned out so cute!
ReplyDeleteLove this Michelle!!!! I got a Mod Podge addiction right now! Too much fun! Thanks for hosting another challenge :)
ReplyDeleteLove this Michelle!!!! I got a Mod Podge addiction right now! Too much fun! Thanks for hosting another challenge :)
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle,
ReplyDeleteI love this! So cute. I have a thing for cityscapes and this is definitely something I would make. I did one of our house a little while ago too:
http://www.decoradventures.com/2012/01/our-house-made-of-paper.html
I bet your little one will love it :-)
Okay, I know this is meant to be nursery artwork, but can I have it for my living room? It is fabulous! I may have to pin this for another day. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad the summer edition of the Pinterest Challenge is up!! It's always a good kick in the caboose to make a PIN come to life. Also being a local Atlanta I LOVE this cityscape of the city :o)You rock :O)
ReplyDeleteLaura Beth {astepinthejourney.com}
This is SO cute! Love it!
ReplyDeleteMichelle, this turned out so cute! I might have to make one for my boys' room.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh!! I love it!! As a born and bred GA girl this is right up my alley! I'm visiting your blog (from 320 * Sycamore) for the first time. I'll definitely be reading more!
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle: Thank you for hosting the link party today. Love your bright artwork--so colorful and cheery! Take care, and have a great week.
ReplyDeleteYour artwork is absolutely adorable and so sentimental at the same time. I love the thought that went into it and I'm sure it will be a favourite piece in your nursery when you get a chance to decorate the space.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for co-hosting! I've been inspired all over again!
That is so cool Michelle! I really love it!
ReplyDeletei love your art! it is so adorable and colorful!
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love this! It's so cute, but more than that, it's meaningful, too - which is my favorite kind of art. I know you made it for a nursery...but I think it would be great for anyone!
ReplyDeleteA while ago, I heard about a company called Your Memory Lane (www.yourmemorylane.com) that would create a street scene, then personalize it with whatever memories you want. I love the idea, but couldn't imagine paying the price. I think I just might use your idea as inspiration for something similar!
I absolutely LOVE this! Even though we don't live in Atlanta, and never have, I love the city. And I think you picked out some of my favorite landmarks - especially the gold dome. I always look specifically for that when I'm travelling on 75. Amazing job! Now I want one for my own home! :)
ReplyDeleteSo cute! I may have to figure out how to make a big boy version (read man) for my boyfriend who was born and raised in ATL. Great idea.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this! So cute and perfect for a baby room or any room. :) Awesome. Thanks for hosting the linky party.
ReplyDeleteOMGoodness...that is adorable! I am loving all the projects. A few have given ideas for Katie's dorm room. Love this one!!
ReplyDeleteI love this. Your son is a lucky boy to have such a creative Mama. I have a son too and they are just so much fun!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! So glad I found your blog =)
ReplyDeletereading your blog reminds me what a dysfunctional adult i am... my success for the day? making thai curry. i am the passed out mom by the pool. you are martha stewart... can we please be neighbors so you can someday raise my children?
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely ADORE your project. Makes me want to have a kid (smile). Or at least start scrapbooking again.
ReplyDeleteI linked up to you on my blog - was fun to stop pinning for a moment and start crafting.
Bernadette
www.b3hd.blogspot.com
I love how your art project turned out! I liked up, thanks!
ReplyDeleteTabitha
http://tabadilly.blogspot.com/
looooooove it! wish i had time to participate this time, i love the pinterest challenges. but i barely have time to shower (or don't have time at times) with a two week old :)
ReplyDeleteAdorable! I love it!! Great job!
ReplyDeleteWow! This turned out anazing. I prefer your version to the inspiration and I love that your little guy will get to see the city that means so much to both if you every day in his room. What an awesome project.
ReplyDeleteMichelle- I love your art! It will be perfect in your son's nursery!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely adorable!! I love art that means something special. So cool!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness this is adorable!! Your little guy will treasure this forever!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love this project. I am not crafty enough to make this but wish I was because I'd love to hang it in my son's nursery. I have a son due in 4 weeks and I've been working on his nursery (i'm linked up on your page #28) and it is hard to find cute modern decorations for boy rooms! My daughter's room was so easy to decorate, but I keep finding that all things boy are very theme-y and I'm not about theme-y rooms. Anyway, I live in Lexington and wish I had a precious canvas like this of our downtown!! Great job! Can't wait to see how you decorate the rest of his room!
ReplyDeleteI adore this project, Michelle!! Your little man is going to love it -- too sweet!
ReplyDeletexo Heidi
That is beyond adorable!!! Just think of the possibilities! Austin skyline! Denver Skyline! San Antonio Skyline! I see Christmas presents!!! Thanks for sharing and thanks for hosting! This is my first link up party and it's been fun, fun, fun!!!
ReplyDeleteJaye
I love this! Nice job Michelle. :-)
ReplyDeleteThat is ADORABLE! Popped over here from YHL and Bower Power. Great job on the artwork and congrats on the impending little one!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute, cute project and it turned it out really great. I absolutely love this idea and now want to do something like this of my hometown- Austin!
ReplyDeleteI love this project! It looks so professional and yet doable. Love the fact that you used a city as your inspiration. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for featuring my DIY Mod Podge Art on your blog! I love what you did with the Mod Podge, so creative and brag worthy IMO.
ReplyDeleteJen
www.livetreschic.blogspot.com
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteLove this, Michelle! Do you live in Atlanta now? I am in Atlanta too :)
ReplyDeleteChristina @TheFrugalHomemaker.com
This is completely amazing! I love it!! I do a lot of digital scrapbooking, and I think I might like to create something like this in Photoshop, and then have it printed on canvas. All that sketching, cutting, and pasting give me heart palpitations! ;) By the way, I found this post via a link on Pinterest to your rental house nursery, and then loved this art piece so much, I just had to click over to see how you made it. Awesome! :)
ReplyDelete