Wednesday, August 15, 2012

$16 Burlap Sack Art

Life Designed
A couple weeks ago I introduced my friend to good old Lee Valley.  This store is my second favourite place to shop/peruse (Home Depot being #1 of course!).

HD is great for your typical materials but when I need something special, I can usually find it at Lee Valley- such as brass ring pulls for one of my Ikea Rast hacks and glass shelf supports for my thrift store trolley/bar cart restoration. It doesn't hurt that their prices are really affordable. 

As we were walking around, we spotted this bin:
Lee Valley
You know me... I can't resist a deal. Am I on my way to becoming a hoarder?

At least I can justify this purchase by saying it's for a good cause!
Life Designed
It's quite a large bag about 30"x 40".  We're moving in a couple weeks and the new place will definitely need some wall art so I decided to turn this burlap sack into a cool art piece!

Instead of framing it, I wanted to stretch it over a canvas but...that size canvas is ridiculously expensive- even with a 50% off coupon.

So I decided to make my own! Hello Home Depot!

I got 1-1/16" square trim @ $1.69 a foot.
Life Designed
2ea 34" pieces
2ea 21" pieces

No, those are not typos. I customized the size to fit the graphics/text- with enough give to wrap around the trim. 
Life Designed
I used wood glue to adhere the pieces together.
Since this is a fairly big piece, in order to give it some support, I used left over foam board from old school projects, cut it to size and staple gunned it to the trim.
Life Designed
Once I stapled the 2nd piece of foam board on the trim, it was time to stretch the canvas!

Life Designed
Since burlap is quite holey, I used both layers of the bag which helped to conceal the black foam board.
Life Designed
It gets a bit tricky at the corners, but I just pulled it taut, folded the sides down.
Life Designed
Ta da! A large art piece that is quick, easy and only $16! 
Once I figure out where to hang this in the new place, I'll be sure to show ya'll!

I might even make another one- with a different design on the bag and hang them side by side but I'll have to wait until we move into the new place first!

8 comments:

  1. What an awesome find!!! Lucky girl, I adore Lee Valley AND Home Depot...

    Thanks for visiting me, pop back over and sign up for my giveaway!

    Cheers!!

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  2. Hi Chris, thanks so much for the message! I will definitely do that. =)Nancy

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  3. Thank you for this. Ever have an idea that you know CAN be done, but you're not quite sure HOW? I needed this frame & foam board for some of my own "canvas" projects. Turned out great... and $16 is so worth the awesome art.

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  4. Wow, what a find! I love it!! Your newest follower from the Sunday Showoff party. :)

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  5. A dollar a bag?!!? That's fantastic. Love your art, Thanks so much for sharing with us at Link It UP Thursday.

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  6. Seriously!?! $1...I'm green with envy!!! Thanks for sharing at It's Overflowing Party, I'm featuring you on Saturday. I'll be excited to see what you share at this week's party. XO, Aimee

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  7. Ooohh! So this is what you were saying! Great idea.. still have to think of what to do with mine hahaha :)

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  8. Appreciate yoou blogging this

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