Monogrammed Canvas

One of the gifts I gave to my daughter's caregivers for Christmas last year was a monogrammed canvas. They are easy to make and you end up with a very personalized gift for not much money. You can choose the colors to match the decor in any room - a dining room, college dorm room, child's room. It is highly versatile.

Supplies:

• 1 8x10 canvas
• 1 foam brush
• Bottle of Mod Podge
• 2 sheets of solid colored 8x11 cardstock for the background
• 1 sheet of 8x11 cardstock for the monogram (solid or pattered)

To begin, tear your background cardstock into large pieces. Be sure to tear every edge because this is not a project that looks good with straight edges. Roughly layout your pieces on top of the canvas to see if you have enough and like the general shape they make. Once you are happy, gently slide them off so you can put them back in about the same way.

In your favorite word processing software, type the letter of either the first or last name of the recipient and change it to a font that suits your recipient's style and personality. I like to go for simple, yet elegant fonts. Print it as large as you prefer. I want my monogram to fill the canvas as much as possible, so I even make the margins on the page smaller so there is more room for my letter.

Print the letter than cut it out. Lay it down on your monogram color scrap book paper and trace. If you have a double-sided paper, make sure you lay down your letter upside down. This will make sure your letter is right side up when you cut it out of card stock. Alternately, if you have a Cricutor other electronic cutter, just cut your monogram directly out of cardstock.

Prep your canvas by loading a generous amount of Mod Podge on it with your foam brush. Spread it out evenly and then begin by placing your first piece of background paper on it. I prefer to start in a corner and build out from there Once you place the first piece, coat it with another layer of Mod Podge. Repeat with all of the pieces until there is Mod Podge over and under each piece of background card stock.

Next, position your monogram. Sometimes it looks best in the lower left corner, sometimes in the dead center. Use your creative judgment. Once you are happy with the placement, put a layer of Mod Podge on top of he letter.

Let it dry for 10-20 minutes. Then, add 1 more coat of Mod Podge, being sure to seal the edges. This should be a thin layer so you don't see a lot of brush strokes.

Once the entire canvas is dry, wrap it up and watch your friend be delighted with such a personalized gift.