Thursday, June 9, 2011

DIY Subway Art { Beach Themed}

           Traditionally Subway writing is done on a black background with cream letters.
 Subway art is a huge trend right now.There is so much you can do make it personal and creative. I have been so inspired by all the subway art I am seeing lately by so many creative ladies I decided to give it a try..Alas, I don't have a silhouette machine or any vinyl letters. I like quick and easy, so instead.. I used the photo editing program Picnik. If you aren't familiar with it, check it out. I already had the premium account, which I recommend, If you are going to do this project  After you have created your account, click on Collage on the main page.







 Pick the collage style you want. I would use a bigger one. On left hand side of the page, make the line spacing as small as you can, Choose your color background. I chose a dark color for the tutorial so you can see it..







Click on the word HIGH for high resolution. Then click DONE.
                

You will now be on the editing and creation page. Go to re size and UN CLICK keep proportions.
type in the numbers 1924 in the first box and 2400 in the second box. This will give your page the correct  proportions for and 8x10 print. I haven't figured out how to do 5x7 yet.



Yay! now you have reached the fun part. What is your theme going to be? This can be done for just about anything, but of course I chose the beach theme. I wrote down all the words I could think of associated with the beach. If you have the PREMIUM acct, you will have access to more fonts I know this can be done on Microsoft Word, that will be my next one to try..

                        




                                   I kept typing using different fonts and  sizes and colors until I got this.......







What I thought was going to be quick and easy took me about 6 hours! That is because  I was trying to get every word placed properly. It is kind of like a jigsaw puzzle. It was really fun! I printed it out on the printer. I used photography paper.The first time I printed it on the opposite side of the paper, and the colors weren't as true. I re did it on the glossy side and the colors were more vibrant.


I got a 14.00 frame from Walmart that came with a mat.

 I might print it in Black and White to see which I like better.I also did a piece for my son and daughter in law, that chronicled the night they were engaged. Mags...... please don't look any further if you are reading today! :) thank you!








I haven't framed it yet. What do you think?










 The DIY Show Off


















Boogieboard Cottage





















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Transformation Thursday
The Shabby Nest

16 comments:

patty anderson said...

Absolutely love both of your pieces! How special for Matt and Maggie!! I want do do one!

Calypso In The Country said...

I never thought of using Picnik! I started making a Caribbean beach themed one just in a word doc on my computer but now I am totally stealing your idea! Thanks for the tutorial - yours look perfect!
-Shelley

Nicole-Lynn said...

Super cute! Love them!

I am thinking of ordering one off Etsy for our study!

Cynthia@Beach Coast Style said...

love subway art have a really large one in my dining room that I just love. love the one you made. I might have to try this.

beachcomber said...

great idea!
cheryl x

Coastal Health and Home said...

Dear Seaside Style,

That is awesome!

I love it.

Thank you for sharing.

I want one.

Best,

Coastal Blue Ocean

Completely Coastal said...

It looks absolutely gorgeous!!!

Heather @ DIYduJour.com said...

Great job Linda! I have been eyeing these on Pinterest! Feel free to link up your blog to my first ever blog hop party! I will be doing it every Friday.

kalanicut said...

Stopping by from Bloggy Weekend Reading. What a great idea. Sounds like I need to upgrade my Picnik.

Suzanne said...

Thank you for sharing your subway art and your process. I have wanted to try to make these pieces but haven't had the time. Speaking of which, I do know that those simple looking graphic pieces are much more time consuming than they look. You did a great job!

Donna said...

I have a Picnik account and have not thought to use it for Subway Art. You have inspired me. Thank you so much for sharing!

Extra! Extra! Blog All About It said...

Found you from The DIY Showoff's Project Parade. Love your savvy seaside style and I LOVE the tutorial on the subway art ~ perfect for summer!

Thank you for sharing. I'm your newest follower!

XO,
Kimberly

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Hi Linda, This turned out fabulous!! Thanks for explaining how you created it..I never thought of doing this on Picnic. I am really late on thanking you for joining my party but I do appreciate you participating.
Hugs,
Sherry

Mary said...

Hi Linda, Thank you so much for joining Masterpiece Monday at Boogieboard Cottage. I featured your post this week in my Top Ten Fav Picks from Masterpiece Monday. Have a great weekend! Mary :O)

Fishtail Cottage said...

Love this!!!!

Anonymous said...

Really love this tutorial thanks for posting I've been a big big fan of picnic for a while so it's great to do other some creative things with their site! I was wondering what your proportions would be for a 11x13 or 16 x 20?? I have no idea where to start with trying to figure that out!!! thanks!!!