Family Rules Tutorial

This has been my most requested tutorial, so here goes:I found this idea on The Pleated Poppy, but I came up with some tricks to make it a little easier.

Supplies:

1 large Canvas (Mine is 24x36, but I had a friend make one that was only 16x24. Use a coupon or wait for a sale- these can run $45-50 a piece)

Paint for the canvas background

Scrapbook paper (you need 1 sheet per rule, unless you want to repeat a paper- notice that I repeated one of mine)

Rules (print them out on your computer, I chose different fonts for each rule)

Transfer paper (Graphite works, but I used colored transfer paper from the fabric store)

Paint pen in white and black (I used Elmers brand which I purchased at Michael's)

Mod Podge

Aging Glaze ( this is optional, it just tones down the whites and warms up the look- I used Ralph Lauren Faux technique in tobacco)

Directions:

1. Paint the canvas a color that coordinates with the room where you plan on hanging your Family Rules.

2. While that's drying, type your family rules on the computer and print. When you print, some rules will be on several lines. I then cut these out and taped them to make one-straight- long line. If you'd like me to email my word doc with my typed rules in the correct size and font, just leave a comment with email address. (I'll try to figure out how to convert to a PDF, but no promises)

3. Take your scrapbook paper and lay it out in order on the canvas. This may take a little while- I put my favorite paper on the top and bottom because those were going to be the widest pieces. Be careful when picking out paper- make sure it coordinates and that it doesn't have too much contrast - it make the words difficult to read. Make sure you spread out darker papers, striped papers, patterned papers, solid papers, etc.

4. Lay out the rules in the order you would like on top of your scrapbook paper. This is the step that will determine how wide to cut your papers. Make sure your papers are going the complete height of your canvas- minus an inch or so for the border.

5. Cut your scrapbook paper to size, tape together to get to the 24 inch width. Now, if you're using one piece of paper for each rule, make sure you pick papers that don't change pattern as they go down the page. When you cut the paper into the strips you need, the pattern won't match up. This can be corrected by using 2 pieces of paper per rule.

6. Once you have your strips of scrapbook paper ready to go you can begin tracing your letters. Place the tracing paper between the scrapbook paper and your printed off rule. Using a stylus or pencil, trace the outside of each letter. Check to make sure it's leaving the pattern on the canvas.

7. Fill in all traced letters with the paint pen. I used white on my darker papers.

8. When all the rules are traced it's time to start mod podging the papers in place. First, lay them all out, one more time, to make sure they fit. Don't overlap the papers, butt them up to one another. If they aren't cut evenly, this is the time to fix them. One by one, put mod podge on the paper and canvas and smooth out any bubbles. You will need to work with each rule and let dry for a few minutes before moving on to the next. After all rules are in place, let it dry overnight. (Sometimes, after you have smoothed out the bubbles, they will reappear- LEAVE THEM ALONE- as long as they were smooth and dryed a few minutes, the bubbles that appear later, will work themselves out as they dry.)

9. Mod Podge over the entire canvas

10 After a few hours you can apply an aging technique. Just wipe on, then wipe off.

11. Attach a picture hanger to the back and you've just completed your Family Rules.

I know that's a lot of information, but I've helped several people make these and it really isn't difficult- time consuming? Yes, but not difficult. If you live in the area I'd love to help you- you can even use my patterns to trace your rules. Also, you could have a great Family Home Evening creating your own rules. Here's an upclose shot so you can see all the imperfections. Sometimes there's a wrinkle, bubble, etc. No one will ever notice but you.

I chose to delete a few of Pleated Poppy's rules but here's the list of all the rules she created:

ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH
HAVE FUN, BE KIND, ASK FIRST, NO FUSSING, NO WHINING
BE CREATIVE AT ALL TIMES
ENCOURAGE YOUR SIBLINGS...SHARE IN THEIR JOY
HUSBAND-HUG YOUR WIFE DAILY & WIFE- ALWAYS BE ON HIS SIDE
OBEY YOUR PARENTS
NEVER LEAVE ANGRY
SING SILLY, DANCE CRAZY, HUG OFTEN, SNUGGLE OFTEN, SAY I LOVE YOU
KEEP YOUR PROMISES
USE YOUR MANNERS- YES, PLEASE...NO, THANK YOU
ALWAYS GIVE TO OTHERS FIRST
TOO MUCH TV IS BAD...TOO MUCH READING IS GOOD
USE NICE WORDS...IGNORE DIRTY WORDS
BLESS YOUR FOOD, BE GRATEFUL, EAT TOGETHER, CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF
SHARE EVERYTHING EXCEPT BAD IDEAS
SAY YOUR PRAYERS...THANK GOD FOR THIS FAMILY

If you want to make a smaller canvas, just have fewer rules. Please, Please, Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. Leave it in the comments section. I will answer in the comments section so everyone can benefit. Good Luck, Have a great weekend. Love, Kelly

Linking up to:

Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous

Remodelaholics anonymous at Remodelaholic