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DIY Gift Idea | Custom Painted Initial Canvas for Baby

DIY Gifting: Custom Painted Initial Canvas for Baby

In 2005 my cousin Kelley gave birth to her first baby girl, Avery… and for her baby shower, I painted a simple pink “A” on a yellow canvas with a few little flower details, to hang in the nursery. Avery, now 7, still has her “A” hanging in her room, which makes me a happy God Mama. My cousin is now preggo with her second girl, who will also have a name that begins with the letter “A” and asked me to paint an initial canvas for the new baby as well. I did this one a bit different than the last and since I wasn’t blogging in 2005, I thought I’d post a little how-to in case anyone wanted to do the same.

Here’s what you’ll need…

DIY Gifting: Custom Painted Initial Canvas for Baby

* Canvas {I used a pre-stretched 11 x 14 canvas I found at Aaron Bros}
* Acrylic paints
* Paint brushes… cups for water & mixing paints {I use old take-out containers}
* White colored pencil

DIY Gifting: Custom Painted Initial Canvas for Baby

* If you don’t find the exact color you’re looking for in one tube, make your own by mixing like colors.

DIY Gifting: Custom Painted Initial Canvas for Baby

* Add a little water and stir until blended well into the color you like.

DIY Gifting: Custom Painted Initial Canvas for Baby

* Paint your entire canvas, including your edges and let dry.

DIY Gifting: Custom Painted Initial Canvas for Baby

* Acrylic paints are water-based and dry pretty quickly! {rinse off your brushes after use}

DIY Gifting: Custom Painted Initial Canvas for Baby

* I created polka-dots with a rubber wine cork…

DIY Gifting: Custom Painted Initial Canvas for Baby

* Space them however you like or begin at the center and work out like a grid.

DIY Gifting: Custom Painted Initial Canvas for Baby

* Use a paint brush to touch them up and fill in the gaps.

DIY Gifting: Custom Painted Initial Canvas for Baby

* Using a white colored pencil, lightly draw out your letter. ***You may also create or use a stencil if you don’t trust your free-hand skills.

DIY Gifting: Custom Painted Initial Canvas for Baby

* Mix your pink and carefully paint your letter… * I chose a fancier “A” because she’s a Lady, but use whichever font you prefer.

DIY Gifting: Custom Painted Initial Canvas for Baby

* Use a fine brush to touch it up… Once dry, you may need another coat so save your paint just in case!

** NOTE: Your paints may dry a bit darker than they look wet.

Voila!

DIY Gifting: Custom Painted Initial Canvas for Baby

DIY Gifting: Custom Painted Initial Canvas for Baby

DIY Gifting: Custom Painted Initial Canvas for Baby

Have Fun!

Find all my DIYs here!

* See my Pop Art Word Canvases DIY here

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Maegan Tintari

LA native & lifestyle creator Maegan Tintari shares personal style, outfit inspiration, home decor, beauty, DIY projects, and everyday aesthetic living here—at loveMaegan.com—an editorial-style space filled with visual inspiration and creative ideas since 2007.

For deeper personal essays on reinvention, starting over, creativity, and rebuilding life from the inside out, you can also find her writing on Substack and everywhere else as @loveMaegan

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