Hey friend, how was your weekend??
I guess I should apologize for the lengthiness of this post….so I’m sorry, but hopefully you won’t get too bored.
🙂
We have been a bit lazy around here, which is just what we needed, and I’m so thankful for those quiet moments to be with my family.
After getting crafty last week, it’s time to share a project I’ve been thinking about for about a year.
I ran across Lindsey’s blog last fall, and immediately fell in love…especially with her Family Rules canvas…and I’m sure you’ve seen these all over blogland since.
Even though I started it over and over, and tried to get inspired, I never could quite finish it. I didn’t want just a canvas, but I didn’t want it framed, I didn’t want it alone, but I didn’t want it in a grouping.
You get the idea.
My brain and my eye finally came together to get inspired, and this is what “we” came up with.
I love it in our kitchen, the hub of the home. It’s the perfect spot for a reminder of how we want to treat one another.
Because this was such a long, drawn out project, I don’t have photos of each step.
First, I worked on the actual Family Rules. To acheive this, I cut strips of scrapbook paper into different widths and with different edged scissors. You can see that same process on the canvas I did for Ava’s room.
After Matt watched me cut a million strips of paper and line them up in just the right way, he said, “no way you’re going to stick that on the canvas and not be able to use it again.”
🙂
My husband, the schemer.
So…basically we scanned it into InDesign and typed out the rules in different fonts. Now that template can be printed anytime.
Anybody want one?? 🙂
I’ve had that piece lying around for a year…and only when I messed up that canvas did I get inspired to finish my project. Long story.
After mod podge-ing the paper to the canvas (which was silver leafed in splotches), it was time to cut a mat for the frame I found at our local antique shop.
Note: to mod-podge to canvas, apply a thin coat using a foam brush to the canvas. Rub paper on, being careful to press out any bubbles. Let dry completely for about 15 minutes. Apply thin top-coats, allowing 15 minutes drying time in between each coat. I applied only 2 coats.
Knowing I had a ton of cardboard in the garage, that was my medium of choice. I find it’s perfect for matting because it’s flexible enough to hug the inside of the frame, leaving no need for stapling or serious attachment. I cut my cardboard to match the opening of the frame, and wrapped it with some fabric (Waverly’s Trellis).
And I actually attached the fabric to the cardboard with Scotch tape. Yep.
I painted the frame with Krylon’s White in a satin finish….and excitedly got it up on my wall.
Over the last 10 months or so, I have slowly begun changing the whole look of our home, reworking our colors and personalizing each room. I love these bright bursts of blue and yellow here in the white/stainless/black kitchen.
(rug: Khol’s $10, spoon rest: Ross, $2)
That was also why I wanted the Family Rules to have some color punch. I’m loving the pattern on the wall; it draws my eye immediately into the kitchen.
I attached the frame to the wall with a picture hanger and then drove a small nail through the fabric to the wall for hanging the canvas on top.
I love the dimension that brings to the piece.
We’ve also updated the kitchen with a couple of Ikea pieces, like this little rack with galvanized buckets…perfect for snacks and quick bites!
Here you can see a close-up of the actual canvas…I’ll probably do a separate how-to post for silver leafing.
Our Rules:
(there’s no way to fit them all…but this covers a good bit 🙂
thank God for this day, this family, this home
use kind words-obey your parents-always tell the truth
encourage your siblings-share in their joy
give your guest your best
there is no mine in this house-it’s all God’s
husband, love your wife-wife, always be on his side
be creative at all times
act responsibly, be respectful, choose wisely
you can never do wrong by doing right (quoted by my dad my entire upbringing)
say what you are sorry for-forgiveness is mandatory
Love the Lord your God
So far, I’m really happy with all of it…and no slipping on the fabric yet. I’m telling you, if you’ve never backed a frame with cardboard before, you gotta try it. Works like a charm.
We also added this Ikea light fixture for $29.99….LOVE the industrial and vintage flair it adds.
It just occured to me that I’ve never posted our kitchen.
I’ll have to do something about that. I’m slowly adding some small things (and rearranging others) to it to make it more personal, but I do love it and am pleased with the choices we made 7 years ago.
Hope you got inspired to make a canvas all your own and that you enjoyed your mini-kitchen tour at the casa de West.
So, what are your Family Rules??
*linking to the parties under Friends and Inspiration*
love the art and really love the light…looking forward to a post on your kitchen looks dreamy
So creative and such a great way to share your family rules. I absolutely love it!
Oh I love it Shaunna! Great reminders and such a creative display.
Oh I LOVE it!!! how creative! and I LOVE The way the light fixture looks, too!
That is the cutest family rules picture! I love how you mated and double-framed it! It looks perfect in your beautiful kitchen! Love the light too!!! I NEED to go to Ikea! 🙂
Your kitchen is so nice! I love that lamp and love your new art!!
I've been drooling over that fixture from IKEA for a few months, but not sure it will work in the spot in our kitchen I had in mind. Looks fabulous in yours!
This is a very nice idea and the best part is anybody can do what they please. Very individualized. It's great.
It's beautiful and your rules are words for us all to live by!
I love the light fixture (and the rules, of course). I've been wanting to get some light fixtures going, I see bloggers swapping lights and moving lights and adding lights, but I'm no electrician and my honey-do list is too long to add wiring lights to– Poor Hubby. Sooooo, I have to live vicariously through you guys. 😉
Oh, and I finally went to Lowes and bought the Valspar's Sea Breath for my living room. Lowes is an hour away. Then the other day I ran to my local po-dunk hardware store to buy a fuse for my heater. Guess what they sell? Valspar paint. Figures. 😉
oh my. What a beautiful way to show your family's values and it's a work of art as well! I'm INSPIRED!!! -diane
Yes, please post pics of the kitchen!! 🙂 Love your blog!!
Love it!!
Wonderful; what a great way to share your family values. And I love your new light fixture!
I have seen these all over the blogs and this is the best one yet! I have a friend that really wants one of these but she's not too crafty. I was thinking of making her one for Christmas. Maybe you said this and I missed it, but did you just print straight from your computer onto the paper? It's 12×12? I would LOVE to know a bit more about that. Can I just use yours (since you've done all of the work already)? Details…I need details. Lisa~
I love your family rules canvas board! It turned out wonderfully! 🙂 And that light above your island is beautiful, by the way! :)
I love love love it.
Shaunna,
kierajoy@aol.com
Since you asked, yes, i'd love one! 🙂 A template that is. This is flat out gorgeous and I know just where i'd put it. You and that hubby of yours are geniuses. There, I said it! Now go around telling everyone that someone in blogland thinks so, i'm sure they'll agree!
love the colors in the family rules canvas…the pops of color add so much interest to your room.
You did such a beautiful job on these rules. This is one of the projects I'd like to do one day. Thank goodness my sister-in-law has a cricuit! Visiting from The Girl Creative.
So nice!! Can we get a copy of the template?! That would be awesome! I would love to make one and hang it in my home. So nice!
Love how you incorporated the silver! It just 'makes' the piece!
love the family rules,how do you do the fonts and the cutting?thanks!
I am looking at a couple of these family rules posts and wanted to actually purchase (because I don't have the resources to make our own right now.) On a tight budget but wondering if you sell copies of this or know someone that does. Thanks so much! And have a blessed day. (littlesquirtsmom at g mail dot com)
I have just discovered your blog and am so enthralled with all of your designs and ideas. I am especially intrigued with this Family Rules art. Could I please have a copy of the template? Thank you so much and keep up the great work. You are an awesome designer!
Once againg, wonderful work. I see a lot of people have asked for your rules template. Is it something you have available to blogger friends…for sale maybe? Or more details we could follow. Thanks.
Sandra
Once again, wonderful work. I see a lot of people have asked for your rules template. Is it something you have available to blogger friends…for sale maybe? Or more details we could follow. Thanks.
Sandra
Ooooh! I love this! You have a wonderful blog, so creative and such a blessing to me. Is is possible to have a copy of the template? I’d love to post those rules. Thanks so much.
lisashov@gmail.com
You are amazing!! Love the colors you have used here. I would LOVE a copy of the template!!!! It’s wonderful! Thanks for sharing your talents!
Can you hyperlink “Lindsey’s blog,” to this post? I’m hoping her’s will contain a full tutorial on how to make this canvas. I’m a wanna-be-crafter, and need more help than most! I basically want to know what you used to print the rules on, etc. They are awesome!
God Bless,
Elizabeth from AL
This is the CUTEST idea!! Love it! Is there anyway I could get the template? We are moving into a new house and I’d love to start it off on the right foot 🙂
You’re sooo creative! Thanks for sharing.
I love your family rules. I’m not 100% clear on how you did it, but I’d love to see the template. Would you please share it? You are fabulous!
Hi Shauna,
You have worded and displayed our family values so warmly – I would love to know how to get/buy a copy of your template. Were you serious about sharing? 🙂
Thanks and God Bless
Hello Shanna,
I just found your house in the Cottages and Bungalows, and your Family Values really speak to me. Our kitchen is the first room you travel by/through after the entry way. I have a small diagonal wall that faces the kitchen and entry both where this would fit beautifully. I am very interested in getting a copy of your template, and am happy to purchase it, if you are willing to share.
I enjoyed reading about your home in the magazine and being directed to your blog- which I will be returning to frequently!
Blessings!
I would love to purchase this just how it is from you to decoupage onto a canvas. Will you sell one to me? Is that even a possibility. I love every rule just as they are and the fonts and the paper. Let me know 🙂 It is beautiful.
I too would like to get the template for the family rules canvas. How do I get that? Can you email it to me? Also would LOVE a step by step on how to create the silver background on the canvas as well as how you arranged the paper. Thanks!
This is adorable! I too would like to have the template and more details on how to do it!! Thanks!
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful piece of art! You’ve inspired me! : ) I really like the font you used for your “Family Rules” title. Could you tell me what that font is? Thank you!
Just saw you on The Nate Berkus Show and my eye caught your “Family Rules”. What a beautiful framing job. I love your house and your blog! Would absolutely love to get your template, just let me know how! Thank you so much.
Thank you, Cindy! So nice to “meet” you & have you here! I’m working on getting that template for everyone…it was lost on my husband’s work computer…maybe in time for Christmas? 😉 So happy to have you here!
🙂
shaunna
Could you also let me know when you have the “Family Rule” templates!!!??? I want to make fior a friend with Breast Cancer to help brighten her day!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!
I would like one too!! thanks!!
You have amazing talent. I have just discovered your blog through Pinterest, and haven’t been able to pry myself away! If you find the templet for the family rules piece, I would LOVE a copy!!!! I’ve always wanted to do this! I love your dad’s saying too! Thanks for sharing!!
I discovered your blog today and have spent hours loving it!
I too am adding that lovely aqua blue to my decorating and since I am a Christian I truly love your family rules board. Would you be willing to share it so that I could print one out for my kitchen? Thanks so much and thank you for having such a wonderful blog and for sharing your DIY tips. Blessings, dorothy in beautiful bc by the sea
I love your kitchen. Could I have a template of your family rules, if you still have it?
LOVE your Family Rules sign! If you are still sharing the template, can you send it my way? Thanks!
I love your family rules sign and really
must have it!! 🙂 Is it available for purchase?
Just stumbled across you blog in my search for painted doors inspiration 🙂 I LOVE the family rules! Are you still sharing your template? I’d love one, if you are!
Thanks so much! Your entire site is inspiring!