*IKEA Pittsburgh provided the frames for this project, but of course all opinions are my own!*
Confession: I rarely buy art. In fact, I think the one large piece of art I have purchased as a grown up is currently sitting in my garage unused. I just have a really hard time finding pieces that are *exactly* what I’m looking for, and a lot of times I just prefer to make something myself. Plus, I’m cheap. 😀 So when I picked up these awesome Nyttja frames with our IKEA stash for the Cs’ new big boy room, I couldn’t wait to get going on a custom piece for them.
I was completely inspired when I came across this little guy, so I decided to do my own DIY transportation art, split into three frames.
{source}
Mostly I just used a big stack of scrapbook paper and scissors, but I did have a few other tools that helped make this project a little easier:
- Nyttja frames
- Tape
- Small circle punch
- Glue stick
- Scissors
- Scrapbook paper in assorted colors
- Pen/pencil
- Large circle punch
- Hole punch
- Silver paint pen
The Nyttja frames are BIG, 11 3/4″ x 15 3/4″, so I knew I would have plenty of space to fit in all of the little details I wanted to add. Using the cardboard backing of the frame as my base, I added paper and shapes layer by layer.
1. I started with a sky and some grass…
2. Then I added my back row of buildings in a light gray.
3. I cut out the front row of buildings in a darker gray, splitting some between two frames.
4. I added a road and some little shrubs. {There are always shrubs beside the road, right?}
5. The most time-consuming part by far was creating all of the vehicles. I have already confessed that I am not an artist, and originally I had planned to print out some templates, cut them out, and trace them. I got lazy, though, and just decided to freehand it. I looked at pictures of various cartoon vehicles and tried to duplicate them the best I could. I used my small circle punch for all of the wheels.
Next, I just had to add small details– some clouds, plants, and trees– and I used a silver paint pen to draw windows on the buildings and windshields on all of the vehicles. Then I simply popped them into their frames and…
TA-DA! All done! As I was adding the last few windows with my paint pen, I realized that all of the cars are driving on the wrong side of the road. In my defense, though, they are on my inspiration piece as well. So instead of switching everything around, I’ve just decided to call this piece, “Connor and Caleb go to Europe.” 😀
I think my favorite part is the airplane pulling Connor & Caleb’s names! Most of the time when I attempt DIY art, it comes out far from perfect, and that’s true with this piece too. Some of the cars are kind of wonky, not everything is completely straight, and it’s not nearly as detailed as my inspiration piece. One of the reasons I love projects like this, though, is that even though it’s not perfect, I was able to give my boys a fun, unique piece of art for their room that they will always know was a gift to them from mommy. There’s something really satisfying about putting your own personal touch on a space, especially when it’s for someone you love!
Have you attempted any DIY art lately?
I link up at Inspire Me Please and these fun parties!
So thrilled to be featured here:
*IKEA Pittsburgh provided the frames for this project, but all opinions are my own. For more information, see my disclosures here.*
Emily @ My Love for Words says
October 30, 2013 at 4:16 pmSo cute!! You did a great job! Pinning this to refer to when my little boys get a little bigger 🙂
justagirlabby says
October 31, 2013 at 2:43 pmThank you, my friend! Hope you and your little boys are doing well! Happy Halloween!
~Abby =)
[email protected] says
October 30, 2013 at 4:17 pmthese are so cute and so fun Abby! 🙂 I’m sure they were fun to make too!
I love that it is made by you, it’s unique
my favorite part is the airplane pulling your son’s names as well 🙂
justagirlabby says
October 31, 2013 at 2:43 pmThank you, Ingrid! They certainly were fun to make! I just put on a good show and went to town with my scissors! 😀 Thanks so much for stopping by! Happy Halloween!
~Abby =)
Kelsey says
October 30, 2013 at 4:52 pmOK, can you come transform my boys room? These are so cute!! What a great idea.
justagirlabby says
October 31, 2013 at 2:42 pmLol…I’ll be right over!! 😉 Thanks so much, Kelsey! Happy Halloween!
~Abby =)
Katie @ Made to be a Momma says
October 30, 2013 at 6:02 pmThis is soooo much fun Abby! Great job! You inspired me to try something like this for my own boys! 🙂 Love this!
justagirlabby says
October 31, 2013 at 2:41 pmThanks so much, friend! I know yours will be SO cute! Hope your little guy is doing okay after his fall! Happy Halloween!
~Abby =)
Susan @ SunfowerHugs.blogspot.com says
October 31, 2013 at 8:55 amI just love these!
justagirlabby says
October 31, 2013 at 2:39 pmThanks, Susan! They were fun to put together! Happy Halloween!
~Abby =)
[email protected] says
October 31, 2013 at 10:38 amOh Abby, this is genius! I just love all the details you added and I have to say – that’s a darn good helicopter for someone who claims to not be an artist! I’m sure your boys just love it (I know mine would), and it means something that you took the time to make something so special just for them.
I’ve attempted my own art before, and made some “abstract” (like WAY abstract!) art for my living room that’s no longer on display, as well as a smaller piece for my daughter’s room. It’s definitely a fun project!
justagirlabby says
October 31, 2013 at 2:39 pmLol! Thanks, Laura! I try to break them down one shape at a time, and I guess the helicopter was easier to do that for! Hope you’re having a wonderful week, friend! Happy Halloween!
~Abby =)
Jennifer says
October 31, 2013 at 6:27 pmSoooo great! You are soooo good! What a good idea! My almost-2-year-old is really into airplanes right now. I want to copy the idea of just the airplane carrying a banner with his name.
justagirlabby says
October 31, 2013 at 7:16 pmOoh that sounds awesome! If you do it, I want to see a picture! Hope you’re having a great week, Jennifer! Happy Halloween!
~Abby =)
Carrie From Carrie This Home says
November 1, 2013 at 9:10 amThese are so cute, Abby! This is the perfect addition to a little boys room! I also have a hard time buying wall art since none of it is exactly what I want. I’m visiting from Inspire Me Please–this was definitely inspiring! Have a great weekend!
justagirlabby says
November 3, 2013 at 8:28 pmThanks so much for popping over, Carrie! It is hard to find that perfect piece, right? DIY to the rescue! 😉 Hope you had a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
April Hoff says
November 1, 2013 at 9:22 pmLove this idea! So easy and cute! 🙂
justagirlabby says
November 3, 2013 at 8:12 pmThanks, friend! That was the goal! 😀 Hope you had a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
Alli says
November 2, 2013 at 7:02 amI love this idea! My three year old grandson is in love with planes. I wonder if I could do something like that. And the plane pulling your son’s name is genius! And the Europe part is great! OK – I need to stop gushing.
Also, I love the dresser! Did you paint it? Awesome!
justagirlabby says
November 3, 2013 at 7:48 pmYou could totally do it! It’s just a bunch of scrapbook paper when it comes down to it! Hope you had a wonderful weekend, Miss Alli!
~Abby =)
Mandy Hank says
November 2, 2013 at 12:31 pmGreat project Abby! I totally would have thought that you bought it! I love how you added your twist of being in another country- sure why not? World travelers 🙂
justagirlabby says
November 3, 2013 at 7:45 pmLol! Yes, I totally did that on purpose. 😉 Thanks so much, Mandy! Have a great week!
~Abby =)
Elisabeth says
November 2, 2013 at 3:51 pmI’d love to try something like this… but with the boys in the one room being aged 17, 15 and 4… well, the teens tend to overrule me on the “cute” stuff! Maybe once the baby is born and the senior is off to college we can “outvote” the one still in high school!
justagirlabby says
November 3, 2013 at 7:45 pmOoh that would be a decorating challenge! Maybe if the cars were “cooler” looking they would go for it. 😉 Have a great week!
~Abby =)
Morena says
November 3, 2013 at 12:19 amI love this! What a great knock off.
justagirlabby says
November 3, 2013 at 6:53 pmThank you, Morena! Hope you had a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
Chelsea says
November 5, 2013 at 12:03 amLOVE them, Abby! So cute and perfect for a boys room!
justagirlabby says
November 10, 2013 at 5:39 pmThank you so much, Chelsea! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
Renee says
November 6, 2013 at 8:49 amI just about died laughing when I read that you put all the cars on the wrong side of the road. Hahaha but great idea about turning it into a trip abroad! You did a great job!
justagirlabby says
November 10, 2013 at 5:09 pmIt was either that or redo the whole thing, and I wasn’t doing it all over again! 😀 Hope you’re having a great weekend, Miss Renee!
~Abby =)
Renee says
November 10, 2013 at 8:44 pmI am indeed. My boyfriend and I went appliance shopping in preparation for our move in a few months. It was a wonderful day! I hope you’re all enjoying yourselves as well! 🙂
justagirlabby says
November 14, 2013 at 3:42 pmOooh I’m jealous. That sounds fun! Have a great weekend, Renee!
~Abby =)
Andrea says
November 12, 2013 at 12:26 pmToo stinkin cute!
justagirlabby says
November 14, 2013 at 3:23 pmThanks so much, Andrea!! Hope you are having a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
Sarah says
January 26, 2015 at 9:46 amThis is just gorgeous but do not know how you found the time to do it with 2 little ones. FYI, most of Europe drives on the right so the boys wod have to be visiting me in the UK, or perhaps Australia!! Xxx