It’s the new must-have…the replacement for the little black dress, or maybe the accessory to…I don’t recommend trying to wear it.
But, I actually finally decided what she’s going to wear.
You might remember her back story? This entire project only cost the $2 I spent for the canvas at Goodwill. Heck yeah!
She did manage to find her way onto the gallery wall, even though she wasn’t done.
Now…she’s done.
I am quite infatuated with all of the word and letter art out there. I recently turn a pallet into word art. But, as I mentioned here, I don’t have any of those fancy machines that can create what I tell it to.
And I can’t always create what I want to. 
Luckily, this one worked out.
I first made a paper template the same size as the canvas.
I just scribbled with pencil, used different stencils I had to see what size lettering might fit, played around with ideas.
I had received some GREAT suggestions on what to do.
Maybe some string art like Zoe.
Love the idea, but think this little black canvas is too small for it.
Then I got the awesome suggestion to put my word of the year on it in a dictionary type font. Who put that comment? And on which post? I’ve looked all over and can’t find you…I want you to get credit for the awesome idea. Let me know if it’s you!
Update: It was Leena! Thanks for the great suggestion!!
I had a moment where I thought I might put something kitchy, maybe a funny saying taken from a little DIY group therapy.
But the moment was fleeting.
In the end, I went with dates that are important to us.
I picked 5 different fonts I liked. I figured it would give it a more eclectic feel. AND, I would have a better chance of pulling it off if I wasn’t trying to make all of the numbers look the same. Can you say…intentional imperfection. 🙂
I increased the number size so the width of each date fit the whole canvas. Then I laid them out in order of date…and was not bothered when I discovered I was going to need to overlap them a bit. (Read: not interested in re-sizing and reprinting the numbers.)
My plan was to trace over the outline of each number hard enough that I could see it on the canvas.
Again, I say, luckily the plan worked.
I just used some paint I had on hand mixed to different shades. And for a couple dates I added some water for a more paint wash look.
I wouldn’t go so far as to say this project was easy peasy. Very good light is necessary to see the vague outline imprint. A very steady hand is necessary to create good looking numbers essentially free hand. And patience is just always a necessity. 🙂
A little before and after just for fun.
Once I knew what I was going to make and had picked out my fonts, this project took me a few hours…including the drying time between dates that wouldn’t be necessary if your numbers don’t overlap.
I have to say, I love her. She’s meaningful, a bit whimsical and not overly crafted…a nice addition to an already busy gallery wall.
What about you…what would you have done with the little black canvas? Have any number art of your own I should check out?
And, have you gotten all signed up on the new Linky Follower tool? If so, and want to follow me, please let me know you did in the comments so I can follow you back.
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I am sharing this project here and at:
BNOTP, Home Stories A to Z, Savvy Southern Style, Remodelaholic, Today’s Creative, and Sugar Bee Crafts.
the space between 
Jennifer Hutchinson
/ February 13, 2012Love it! I dont know what it is about numbers, maybe that they are infinate- but I sure love them! Great job on this!
~Jen @ hutchinsonherd.blogspot.com
Linda @ it all started with paint
/ February 13, 2012I’m a sucker for numbers! Very clever and excellent execution! And I love that they are meaningful to you. Makes it that much more extra special …
Linda
creativeinchi
/ February 13, 2012Wonderful, I love the way you have the dates overlapping!
Lisa @ A Room with A View
/ February 13, 2012This is wonderful and I do like the overlap. The numbers also adds a different element to the collage.
laxsupermom
/ February 13, 2012Love this piece! I love how the numbers have meaning for you. It looked great just as a piece of typographic art, but the deeper meaning makes it even more special. Thanks for sharing.
I’m following you on LF, now, too.
Bri@TheModernParsonage
/ February 13, 2012What a clever idea! Looks like we were both busy painting this weekend 🙂
Amy@BuffaloRoam
/ February 13, 2012It looks so cool, and you make everything seem so easy…
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication
/ February 13, 2012Love the numbers! What a great idea! And I’m beyond glad that you did this without a fancy cutting machine. It gives me hope since I am also sans silhouette!
thistlewoodfarm
/ February 13, 2012They can’t all be “easy peasy” 😉 It takes a very special criteria for that. LOL! Great project! I love numbers and I am pinning this!
blessings,
karianne
andrea cammarata
/ February 13, 2012loving the whole subway art approach to names and numbers and you sure hit a home run on this one! loving it!!! (hugs)
sherry
/ February 13, 2012Karah, I think it looks great! I’m simply luvin the whole number thingy…
Jo @ To a Pretty Life
/ February 13, 2012Oh, I love it! Brilliant idea! I like those kind of secret messages used as decor. My guess is that half the people who come to your house will think it’s just random numbers, and the other half will try to figure it out.
Sue Reincke
/ February 13, 2012Love, love, love it. The only one I don’t know is the 3-13-99….
What a really cool way to display all your special dates!
Leena Lanteigne
/ February 13, 2012It was me! It was a comment in regards to your “The One Screw Wall Gallery Is Here”: “Leena Lanteigne / February 2, 2012 I think you should put your word of the year on the black canvas, done in dictionary looking type with the definition. It sort of sums up the entire project! I love the way iti turned out and the pieces you chose to hang! I think my favoes are the canvases of the dogs too, altho’ I love all the beach elements! Looking forward to reading the goos, bad and ugly parts in future posts! Thanks SO MUCH for sharing this phenomenal project! Hugs, Leena”
I love what you ended up doing with the canvas and the numbers! Great finishing touch to your gallery! xo, Leena
Mrs. Delightful
/ February 14, 2012This is such a great idea! I would love for you stop by and link up at my linky party via: http://ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com/
Mrs. Delightful
Ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com
Dana @ Cooking At Cafe D
/ February 14, 2012Oh, I really like the overlap! And, seeing it on the wall – it’s so impressive.
Nice job upcycling some clearance throwaway into a personal piece of artwork.
~ Dana
Kim @ Cheap Chic Home
/ February 14, 2012What a cute canvas, I like the you picked dates and then used different fonts. Nice work.
Tara
/ February 14, 2012I am totally motivated. I painted my wall and Thursday I am putting up my own gallery wall.
Jen Lossing, The Consigner Designer
/ February 15, 2012So Cute. Great addition to your gallery wall!
RHome410 @ Friday is Pizza, Monday is Soup
/ February 15, 2012Oooh, that really works! The coverage and the consistent size of the numbers give it an overall pattern that doesn’t detract a lot from the simplicity it added to your collection. Nice. And I love that it’s a bit of a mystery to those who see it there, yet quite meaningful to you.
Mary Alice
/ February 15, 2012Really like how it turned out. The numbers look great on your gallery wall.
Following you on Linky, Mary Alice
Feeding Four
/ February 16, 2012Love your gallery wall. What a great way to show of an eclectic collection. You’ve got me thinking for my living room now. Saw your link on U & Me.
Tisha @ Delectable Home
/ February 16, 2012I don’t have a cool cutting machine either, so it’s always fun to see creative ideas for doing these kinds of projects “by hand.” I love the way your numbers turned out – it looks almost 3D. A great addition to your gallery wall!
Nicole@Thrifty Decorating
/ February 16, 2012Following on Linky…would love for you to follow back! Thanks! 🙂
Erin @ How to Nest for Less
/ February 16, 2012Super cute!!! It reminds me of something I saw recently in the Pottery Barn catalog! Thanks so much for sharing at my linky party 🙂
Cindy
/ February 17, 2012Your little number craft looks wonderful, it fits in very neatly. I like it! I am going to do one of the signs that we see everywhere. I don’t have one of those fancy machines either. But I may try this anyways.
Hugs, cindy
Kristen @ My Covered Bridge
/ February 17, 2012I love this transformation! What a cute piece of art!
Sharon ت
/ February 20, 2012Looks great. You managed to create something that has a very original look and yet in keeping with the trend. That’s talent!
Sharon @ mrs. hines class
Brooke @ Inside-Out Design
/ February 20, 2012Another awesome addition to your gallery wall! Love this!!
Trish@MomOnTimeout
/ February 20, 2012Fabulous! Thank you so much for sharing at Taking A Timeout Thursday!
Emily
/ February 22, 2012I love it!! I like that it adds another graphic layer to your INCREDIBLE wall! And, of course it’s sentimental, which I love. I’m a sucker for art with a back-story 🙂
Thanks so much for linking up! Your projects make me smile!!
Claire
/ February 22, 2012Great project! Having a Silhouette that does the work for me, I know how time-consuming this would have been to cut out. Beautiful finished product 🙂
Allison Downes
/ March 1, 2012Hi,
Found you in the Hop! new Linky Follower, Hope you will follow me back and check out my blog!
http://giveawayhog.blogspot.com/