They say the best form of flattery is imitation so I'm here to put that theory to use. Pottery Barn has some of the cutest wall decor for childrens' rooms and I wanted to create something for the bedding that I purchased for Christmas for my nephew. Below is a picture of the Planes, Trains and Trucks bedding from Jcpenny that my sister picked out because Aidan needs to be moved to a big boy bed before his new brother comes in July.
The colors are great, right? So I headed off to Home Depot to have them cut me up 10 X 10 pieces of plywood. After completing my Sports Puppy Plaques I decided I wanted the plywood to be ½ inch thick, rather than only a ¼ inch. (On a side note: Did you know my husband works at Lowes, but I have to go to Home Depot to be the annoying girl asking for things to be cut!)
I painted the sides and the top of each piece with white acrylic paint. I only used one coat because I had a plan.
Can you tell from the picture what my plan was? That's right, I used Distressing Ink on the sides of each piece. It was my first time using the Distress Ink pad. I simply used the pad of ink on the sides by patting it along the edge and then I swiftly rubbed right near the edge.
I love the way it looks so weathered.
I'd say that I'm somewhat artistic, but there was no way I was going to be able to free hand a truck, plane and train. So I turned to the same method I used with my Irish Blessing Plate. I found similar images in clip art to the bedding and I printed them large enough to fit perfectly on the pieces of wood.
I made sure to cover the all the lines that I needed to trace with pencil on the back. The pencil will transfer onto the wood once you trace the actual image's lines with a ballpoint pen.
The transfer worked perfectly. The lines were all visible enough that I could easily paint them.
I used paint pens to trace the pencil lines. I found the pens in the acrylic paint aisle at Michaels. They worked really well and I wish I had them for a couple of other projects I've done.
Outlined train
I painted inside the outline using the bedding as a reference for the colors. I used acrylic paint and tried my best to stay within the outline. I realized afterwards that I didn't need to stress so much about the lines because I was able to go back over the lines with the paint pens.
I absolutely love the plain. Mainly because I was nervous about the outline because the clip art wasn't very clear.
Truck, Train, and Plane Wall Plaques
The finishing touch was the ribbon to hang it. I wasn't sure if my sister would want the ribbon because I could have used saw teeth hooks like I did for my Scrapbooked Wall Tiles, but she wanted the ribbon. I used Ring Hangers so that the ribbon could easily slip through the ring. Ta Da!
I hope my sister likes them as much as I do. I find that I question if they're as cute as I think they are.
I'll be linking to these great parties and others listed on my Party page:
Carrie
What a great idea!! You did a wonderful job! Thanks for sharing at Sharing Saturday!! Hope you will share with us again this week!
Trish - Mom On Timeout
What a fantastic idea and they turned out so cute! Thanks so much for sharing at Mom On Timeout!
Six Sisters
So very cute!! Just as cute as Pottery Barn. Lovin it! Thanks for being a part of our "Strut Your Stuff Saturday." We loved having you and hope you'll be back! -The Sisters
Kara
These turned out great! You did an amazing job. Thanks for sharing at Shine on Friday!
Cari and Cortnee @ Two Sasters
If my sister has a boy, I am definitely going to come back to this idea:) Thanks for sharing at Two Sasters!!!
Rachel
Those are so fun! What a great addition to the room. Thanks for sharing at Terrific Tuesdays.
Rachel
adventuresofadiymom.blogspot.com
Heatherly Loves
Would love to have you link up at Sunday Round Up Link Party! 3 Blogs = 1 Party!
http://www.heatherlyloves.com/2012/03/sunday-round-up-1_8663.html
xx,
Heather
[email protected]
That's so cute!
Claire
How adorable-what a lucky little nephew you have ! I'm your newest follower-stop by for a visit!
AudreyN
My son would LOVE the train and truck! Thanks so much for showing me how to make them!
Ruby's
Cute .. definitely worth a try.
Regards,
Ruby
Carrie @ My Favorite Finds
This is so creative and cute! Thanks for linking to Handmade Tuesdays.
Our Delightful Home
This is such a creative idea!
Mrs. Delightful
http://www.ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com
Steph @ Crafting in the Rain
So cute--you did a great job!
Tiaras & Bow Ties - Think Smink
I dont know why I get so excited to see painted knock offs but I do! You did a fabulous job!
Stop by sometime and see the PB train knockoff I did back in December.
Kim
Q @ JAQS
Great job on those 🙂
Love for you to share it at my Linky Party 🙂 -
http://www.jaqsstudio.com/2012/03/made-by-me-22-linky-party-and-features.html
Jill ~ Jillify It
They are adorable! Great job! I would love for you to link up at my party going on now at Jillify It!
Enter to win a Hobby Lobby gift card while you're there!
Jill
http://www.jillifyit.com
Bonnie and Trish @ Uncommon
These turned out so well! The distressing looks fantastic and I never knew you could do transfers like that! Thanks for sharing at our Uncommonly Yours link party! Have a great week!
Take care,
Trish
Alison @ Oopsey Daisy
I love a great Pottery Barn knock-off! These turned out incredible. Thanks for sharing at oopsey daisy!
Serendipity and Spice
So cute! You're so talented! Thanks for linking up every week! 🙂
-Melissa
The Wanna-be Southern Belle
I think they turned out great!!! Crazy you did these from scratch!
Tabby
Awesome job! I love the distressing and the use of CLIP ART! SO CLEVER!
Heather Nelsen
You are so crafty! And have every ounce of creativity I wish I had! Ha! I will definitely be back for the Wednesday share post! Thanks for the invite! I stick with the cooking though as my "crafty" outlet! 😉 hope you have a great week!
Christine
Jenny!! What a great idea!!! They turned out wonderful!
I would love it if you shared this over at The DIY Dreamer!
http://thediydreamer.blogspot.com/2012/03/from-dream-to-reality-linky-party-6.html
Kimberly @ See Sew and Seedlings
This is precious! Great idea about the transfer. I've seen the ink for distressing but wasn't sure how it would work. But I might have to try it after seeing this 🙂
Great job!
Laurie @ Rookiewife520.blogspot.com
SO stinkin' cute! I love Pottery Barn but things can get a bit expensive so I don't buy anything unless it's on sale or I can't live without it LOL. I love the theme you choose! Adorable!
4you-withlove
Yours are much nicer than PB!
Trish
They turned out awesome! I'd never heard of that ink distressing technique before. I'll have to try that out.
Jill
Jenny - they are adorable! Where were you when I couldn't find the matching wall decorations for my nursery?!? =) Seriously, great job!
Jill @ Create.Craft.Love.