Guys – I’m pretty excited about this project. I really, really like the way it turned out. I hope you do too!
It was inspired by different golden art pieces I have seen out there in blogland (like this one and this one). Most that I have liked use a word or phrase, but I decided I wanted to go with more of an image. I decided on a “i love us” kind of idea that would be represented by a heart and the word “us.”
I started out by printing off the outline of a heart so that half of the heart filled a page and the word “us.”
I cut them out to create a stencil.
I traced one half of the heart, and then flipped it over to finish the heart. Then, I added “us.”
I used a brush to paint on the gilding adhesive. Then, following the instructions, I let the adhesive dry for about twenty minutes. It gets nice and tacky.
Neatly placing the gold leaf onto the canvas was the trickiest part. A few spots are less than smooth, but I kind of like the look. I finished it up by using a clean, dry brush to remove the excess gold leaf. It easily brushed off any portions of the canvas that did not have adhesive applied.
Annnnnd… Voila! Love it.
My new canvas is living is currently hanging out in the entryway on my ikea shoe cabinet with my faux shell wall art and a little brass rhino from Target.
I’m digging it. This little corner is getting to be one of my favorite spots in the house. What do you all think?
Linking up at some of my favorite parties.
[email protected] says
September 19, 2013 at 5:59 pmSuper cute Alexis! I have never used gold leaf, I should try it! I love your design, and I clicked over to your shell wall art, AMAZING! So fun! Thanks for your sweet comment on my blog!
Alexis Middleton says
September 21, 2013 at 3:54 pmHow sweet are you! Thanks so much, Mindi!
Beela Bakes says
September 21, 2013 at 9:00 amSo beautiful! I've been wanting to make gilded works for a while, so this tutorials will helps a lot for when I do! May I ask where you bought your foil and adhesive from?
Alexis Middleton says
September 21, 2013 at 4:09 pmThanks, Beela! I think you cold probably find the foil and adhesive at any craft store, but I got mine at Hobby Lobby. Good luck with your project!
desireapril says
September 21, 2013 at 12:07 pmI love this! It's so easy to make and looks stunning.
Alexis Middleton says
September 23, 2013 at 4:17 pmThank you so much!
Jennifer Hughes says
September 21, 2013 at 7:16 pmI wanted to invite you to the Friday Flash Blog Party, the best linky in town! I hope you'll join us and link up. Who knows. You may just get highlighted!<br /><br />The party goes on ALL weekend. <br /><br />Jennifer @ The Jenny Evolution<br />www.thejennyevolution.com<br />
Alexis Middleton says
September 24, 2013 at 3:56 amThanks for the invitation, Jennifer! I will be sure to come check it out!
House in the Heights says
September 21, 2013 at 11:32 pmLove it! I just used gold leaf for the first time, and have been searching for another idea to use up what I have left…you've inspired me!
marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says
September 22, 2013 at 5:26 pmI love, love, love this idea. I am trying to spread a little gold around, so this is perfect. Thanks for the tutorial. I would love for you to link up to my Inspire Me party that will go live tomorrow afternoon. http://www.astrollthrulife.net Hugs, Marty
Corey W. says
September 23, 2013 at 3:56 amThis is so pretty Alexis! I love it!<br />Corey from Tinysidekick.com
Alexis Middleton says
September 24, 2013 at 3:57 amThanks so much, Corey!
Nicole Burkholder says
September 23, 2013 at 4:27 amWow! That's gorgeous! Visiting from Marvelous Mondays (linked up late, too) 🙂 Pinning this for inspiration!
Ursula Rosien says
September 23, 2013 at 5:23 amSimply Gorgeous! Visiting from Monday's Inspiration Linky party 😉 I'm pinning this craft!<br />Ursula, blogger at<br />http://kraftmint.com<br />{a journal of modern crafts}
Carissa Rasmussen says
September 23, 2013 at 9:52 pmso adorable! i seriously could have everything gilded in gold right now!
Alexis Middleton says
September 24, 2013 at 4:09 amMe too, Carissa!
Kayla Janachovsky says
September 24, 2013 at 12:00 amI love it! You did such a great job. Don't forget to link up to The DIY'ers. http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-diyers-30.html
Alexis Middleton says
September 24, 2013 at 3:59 amThanks, Kayla! I definitely will! 🙂
For My Love Of says
September 24, 2013 at 1:45 amLove, love, love this! I've been awfully scared to work with gold leafing products. I've stuck with acrylic Gold paints, but you make it sounds really easy to use!
Alexis Middleton says
September 24, 2013 at 3:58 amI think leafing something more three-dimensional would be trickier. I wasn't too concerned with perfection, and I'm really happy with how it turned out. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Ellya Brill says
September 24, 2013 at 4:14 amVery pretty!<br /><br />Ellya
Tori Grant says
September 24, 2013 at 3:13 pmLove it Alexis!! I'm creating some gold art of my own! I've been loving all the gold projects lately!! Thanks for linking up to Tell Me Tuesday!
Musings of a Childless Mama says
September 24, 2013 at 10:15 pmYou are m link up neighbour on TuT Link up!
Therese Feeman says
September 25, 2013 at 3:43 pmAdore your Love Us Gilded Art! So excited to pin it. Thanks for sharing your awesomeness with us at the DIY Sunday Showcase.<br />Cheers to you and yours,<br />Therese @ Fresh Idea Studio
Sumo @ Sumo's Sweet Stuff says
September 28, 2013 at 5:16 amThis is just stunning! I love how simple and classy it looks. I'll be featuring it on my blog tomorrow! Thanks for linking up to the Block Party!<br />Sumo:)
Kayla Janachovsky says
September 30, 2013 at 1:41 pmJust wanted you to know that I loved this so much, it's being featured on The DIY'ers now! http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-diyers-31.html
megan {homemade ginger} says
October 1, 2013 at 12:17 pmThanks so much for linking this up at the Ginger Jamboree. I love it! I actually featured you today. Feel free to grab a "featured" button on the sidebar!
Amy says
October 1, 2013 at 8:59 pmSimple and beautiful. And GOLD! My favorite 🙂
Melanie says
February 8, 2014 at 4:29 amI found this on the Homecoming Blog, and LOVE it! I my try to make something similar sometime.
Customwall Stickers says
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