Easy large scale art for $10

This big blank wall has been bothering me since we moved in! There is no room in the budget for an oversized framed and matted print, so I got creative. I’ll show you how I made this very large 3′ x 4′ sign for $10 — wood and all! You could do this for your favorite verse, quote, personalized party or birthday message. Oh, or a wedding and people could sign it. I’m really excited about this one!

I chose this quote about love based out of John 13. This is what Jesus told the disciples at the last supper, after he had washed their feet and dismissed Judas. In the last hours of his life he was serving and loving his friends, even though he knew and predicted they would deny and betray him.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” — John 13:34-35

I’m trying (and failing a lot too) to be love to other people, to strangers, to my family, even to people who irritate me. It’s easy to love people who love you back, but we’re also called to love those who are not like us, who do things differently than us, even those who hate us. That is what will set us apart. That is how people should know us.

Tools

1 engineering print from Staples (36″ x 48″)
2 pieces of narrow wood (48″ long)
white duct tape or clear tape
staple gun
twine

If you want to use the same print/quote I used, here is the link to this digital download in my Etsy shop ($4).

A few tips

You might have heard about the engineering print at Staples before. It works well for black and white type or renderings, but it does not work on photos. They have type in red letters on their site that it doesn’t work for photos, but of course I wanted to see for myself. The result is: The engineering print does not work for photos. Haha! This sea and sky picture ($5) that should be pale blue is muddy and very gray.

This is what the same photo looks like printed at Costco in a 20″ x 30″ for $10.

I also want to note that the engineering print paper is not much thicker than regular copy paper. Be very careful not to crease it while you work.

I found these cheap, 8-foot boards at Home Depot for $2.76 each. Pick the straightest ones you can find! They cut it half for me at the millwork area. This is Adri demonstrating the the board can also be used for limbo. So that’s something to keep in mind :)