“You are My Sunshine” DIY Wall Art

| |

Even though my daughter is almost 3 and a half, I still rock her sweet little self almost every night. Even if her daddy puts her to bed, I’ll still end up getting up with her at least once in the night and rocking her for a little while. And I’ve sung “You are my sunshine” to her every night since she was teeny weeny.

DIY Stamped Wall Art | "You Are My Sunshine"

She knows it by heart now and will sing it with me. I love to hear my baby sing.

Recently when we removed her changing pad from the top of the dresser, I knew it needed a little something more on the wall.

This is what the wall looked like before. I kept things a bit high so little feet couldn’t kick anything off. 🙂

Little Girl's Pink and Turquoise Room

DIY Stamped Art {How To}

I think I told y’all last week that I’m suffering from a severe lack of motivation. As in, I have started 500+ projects and have no desire to finish any of them. Please tell me that I am not alone. And please pass along helpful tips to get out of this funk. 🙂

So, that little background explains why this 2-day project took me more like 2 weeks. Seriously, took me forever. I would stamp a word or two and then walk away and come back a day or two later and stamp another word or two. I finally gave myself a deadline and just made myself finish it. And I’m always glad when I finish a project and get to stand back and admire it. Am I right?

I took a Goodwill canvas that was leftover from another project. It had a great frame around the canvas when I bought it for $10 and I’ve already used the frame in my laundry room. When I got the canvas, it looked like this …

DIY Stamped Wall Art | Original Canvas

‘Twas a delicious scene painted by someone quite talented. But, I knew that picnics aren’t my thing {for wall art, at least} and I decided to paint over it and stamp a little love song on it.

First, I sanded down the raised paint on the canvas. It didn’t take long, but I just wanted to smooth it out a bit.

Then I wiped it off and painted it with Annie Sloan’s French Linen chalk paint, mixed with some white and off-white paint as well.

I planned out my words in my Silhouette software. I love to use my Silhouette software, not just for cutting things out, but also for designing.

DIY Stamped Wall Art | Silhouette Stamping Prep

After I created a draft of my plan, I noted the size of my font, and then cut out all of the letters of the alphabet with the Silhouette Stamping Material. If you want to know all about Silhouette stamping, they have a great video about it!

DIY Stamped Wall Art | Silhouette Stamping Material

This project could definitely be done without the Silhouette stamping material, too. They sell awesome stamps at Michael’s, that I almost bought for this project. And honestly stamps would have been easier, but I wanted the custom stamp size and couldn’t find any to buy exactly the size I wanted.

DIY Stamped Wall Art | Silhouette Stamping Material

Once my letters were all cut out, I arrange one word at a time and applied acrylic craft paint with my fingers and stamped out each word.

DIY Stamped Wall Art

I used painter’s tape to tape off each line and just arranged letters, applied paint, stamped, rearranged letters, reapplied paint, reapplied paint, stamped, repeat. You get the idea. Lots of repeating. 🙂

DIY Stamped Wall Art | Frame Prep

I used 2″ x 3/4″ pieces of wood from the hardware store to use as a frame. I was too lazy {again} to get out my miter saw, so I just used my mitre box and hack saw. It would have been easier to use a regular saw, but again… I think we’re sensing a theme here. Too lazy.

DIY Stamped Wall Art | Frame Prep

I just painted the frame sticks in French Linen Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and attached them with my nail gun.

I haven’t waxed it yet, but I plan to put some clear wax on it in the near future just to keep it protected. You know, when I’m feeling less … let’s say it together … unmotivated. Threw a curve ball in there, just to see if you were still paying attention.

DIY Stamped Wall Art | "You Are My Sunshine"
DIY Stamped Wall Art | "You Are My Sunshine"
DIY Stamped Wall Art | "You Are My Sunshine"
DIY Stamped Wall Art | "You Are My Sunshine"

I love DIY wall art that has a meaning behind it. And especially this on with my song for my girl.

Do you have a favorite meaningful piece of wall art?

Similar Posts

10 Comments

  1. I didn’t know that Silhouette had a stamping kit too. So awesome!! Love the art work too. 🙂 Would love it if you shared this at our Motivational Monday party on Burlap and Babies!

  2. I love this, we as a family sing this song every night before bed too. It must be a popular song. I have a pillow with these lyrics an the kids love it. I would have to say my favorite wall art is either a shell gallery wall with shells from my hometown of San Diego CA, or a wall with canvas’s with each of our hand prints. My kids tiny hands are adorable. I just discovered your blog and your house is gorgeous. I love all of the details you put into it. We have very similar style with our homes, the coastal-ish look. Can’t wait to read more from you!

  3. This is really sweet, Laura! Love that you and your daughter sing it together 🙂 I definitely go through bouts of unmotivation, but good for you for giving yourself a deadline and sticking to it! This art was worth the wait!

  4. I used to rock my grands (now 8 and 9 yrs. old) when they were little and sing this song. Not long ago the 9 year old asked me to let her sit in my lap and sing you are my sunshine. Of course I was giddy to do it and it was just so precious. They always remember these so moments! Keep rocking and singing as long as you can!!!

    You are definitely not the only one with many, many projects in the works and none finished. I am so exasperated with my self! I get really excited about something and then just lose all interest about a third or half way through!!! I sure am glad to hear I’m not alone. If you find the secret to motivation…please LET ME KNOW!!!

    Loved this post and love the wall art.

    1. Up until my grandmother passed away, she STILL wanted to rock me in her lap. And I’m 30+ years old! {I didn’t let her for fear I would break her, but I’d sit real close.} And now that I have my own, I can see why. I sure will enjoy it while it lasts! 🙂

  5. What an entertaining post!
    I, too, have felt that lazy, unmotivated feeling at times, but when you have little ones and a busy life, like you do, I think that’s ok. Sometimes we all need to step back and enjoy blessed inactivity without guilt! One inspiring project, a family member coming to visit, or some fun summer activity will eventually give you back the spark to “get busy.” Good luck!

    1. “blessed inactivity without guilt” – I think I’m going to put that on the fridge! 🙂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *