diy: gold foil ampersand

a while back, i tried to buy a gold foil ampersand print (the one i mentioned here) for my office. i found it at one of my favorite paper shops, sugar paper, but unfortunately, by the time i hit "buy" on my cart, it was sold out. even more unfortunately, they weren't going to do a re-print.

i decided i'd have to try to make it myself, and though it probably falls short of the original, it's very pretty and cost a boat load less. win!

if you have basic kindergarten cutting and coloring-within-the-lines skills, you can do this one too.

total time: 45 min
patience level: pre-teen on a good day
total cost: $7

materials:

computer & printer
square canvas
scissors
pencil
2-pack metallic gold sharpie markers


instructions:

1. do a google image search for "ampersand." a gazillion will come up.

2. choose a few you like and print them out. these were my favorites:

3. pick the one that is the style and size you like best, and that you think your skill level will allow you to easily cut out with scissors. i chose this one.

4. cut it out with scissors.

5. pull out your canvas. i bought this 8 x 8 for $4 (on half-off sale) at michaels, and i thought the quality was good for this project.

5. lay your cut-out ampersand on the canvas, and trace it lightly with a pencil. i held it in place with my hand while i traced, but some blue painter's tape could help tack it down if you're nervous about it sliding around.

6. trace the pencil outline with your gold metallic sharpie.

7. color it in with the sharpie.

8. don't panic. my first "coat" looked like this:

9. color it in again with the second sharpie marker. i didn't buy my sharpies new for this project. i think the first one i used was a little older or it had gotten a little muddied by going over the pencil. in either case, the color and coverage wasn't consistent. doing a second coat with the second marker made it perfect.

10. style, display and enjoy!

update: our office project is done! play a little game of i-spy and see if you can spot where the ampersand ended up in this reveal! here's a little preview of the space...

see the before & afters and the reveal of our office here! 

this project was featured by:

craftgawker

poppytalk

sand & sisal

sweet bella roos

{linked with cedar hill farmhouse, naptime creations,  lou lou girls, carissa miss, a stroll thru life, domestically speaking, live randomly simple,  from my front porch to yours, my fabuless life, sweet bella roos, place of my taste, posed perfection & BD design blog- thank you all so much for generously hosting!}