Subway Art for Ammon’s Room

This is the inspiration for Ammon’s room. I know most of you have seen it before, so to answer a question a lot of you have had. No, I did not make it. I bought it on clearance at Tai Pan Trading months ago for only $15. I just couldn’t pass it up for that price and it’s been the perfect piece of wall art to center his room around.

I plan on making 3 pieces of Subway art for his room. This is the first one in the series. It’s also the first one I’ve ever made so don’t judge too harshly.

I started with this road sign hanging in Ammon’s room.

I started painting over the sign with black spray paint, but it wasn’t working . It was going to take forever to cover over the red and white at this rate.

So I flipped it over and painted the other side. The wood is the same on both sides so it really didn’t matter.

By the way, if you don’t have one of these, get one. It has saved my fingers from paint and blisters.

Here it is, all painted. Because of the texture of the sign, the paint is a little uneven. It works for the look I’m going for though.

I’m using my Cricut and these cartridges to make the words for the sign. Since I don’t have a lot of different fonts, I used different sizes and thicknesses for the letters.

I’m using contact paper for the letters. It’s cheaper than vinyl and it comes in larger rolls.

Next comes laying out the letters and working on placement of the words I’ve cut out.

I think I’m happy with this layout.

I didn’t really use the ruler to measure much. You all know I hate to measure (I’d rather just eyeball it). It worked great to help me keep the letters straight as I was putting them on though.

Finally, I added a clear coat spray to seal it and help hold the letters on.

I have to say, for my first one, I’m pretty pleased with how it turned out. Since it’s now midnight, I’ll have to wait to put it on Ammon’s wall in the morning.

{ 31 comments… add one }
  • Christine August 3, 2010, 6:01 am

    Don’t be so hard on yourself (wait while I take my own advice…ok I’m back!). This came out terrific. I just painted three bedrooms, and I’m thinking about a sign like this for my older son. Thanks for the inspiration…

  • Korrie@RedHenHome August 3, 2010, 6:03 am

    That is SUPER cute! What a great hat-tip to Utah!

  • Creative Decor by Brooke August 3, 2010, 6:35 am

    Love that with all of the Utah places. So cute.
    Brooke

  • the cape on the corner August 3, 2010, 6:49 am

    that looks awesome! what a great job, be proud!

  • Karie Jackson August 3, 2010, 7:03 am

    Very cute! I love the subway sign. I must do one. Thanks for sharing your creative sign.

  • Staci Johnson August 3, 2010, 7:21 am

    I LOVE this! I want to make one for my daughter’s room!! Come check out my giveaway:)

  • Pam @ diy Design Fanatic August 3, 2010, 7:39 am

    Your subway art turned out great – making one is on my project list. The $15 find with the Los Angeles landmarks is fantastic! My daughter would love one of those since we are from LA.

  • debbie August 3, 2010, 8:06 am

    I am thinking that is spectacular Leann!!~ WOW I am impressed that you even thought of it…thanks for sharing in the Before and After party…I am really having a ball today and I hope you do the same:) Debbie

  • makalani August 3, 2010, 10:33 am

    how fun. I just got a silhouette and am planning one of these projects soon. Real soon. Great job!

    ~Makalani
    http://www.MakazHome.com

  • terri August 3, 2010, 3:38 pm

    adorable! thanks for sharing the directions! i want to make one ASAP!

  • ldh August 3, 2010, 4:05 pm

    Love it! It came out great!

  • Amanda Blanton August 3, 2010, 4:37 pm

    Hi! I came over to check out your blog and love it! I actually made a subway art-inspired piece that I am trying to finish so that I can hang it in our stairwell. Thanks for checking out my blog!
    Amanda
    http://www.themodernbradybunch.com

  • Kim August 3, 2010, 5:26 pm

    Looks awesome!I love it and realize that I really need a cricut!

  • Ashley August 3, 2010, 7:10 pm

    I love this idea!! You did a great job! Thank you for visiting over at my blog…and I will definitely be linking up tomorrow!! 🙂

  • Krista August 3, 2010, 8:26 pm

    I’m so glad you found my little blog and left me a comment! It’s so fun visiting and getting to know new people! I’m REALLY trying to get my organization/craft on, so I will DEFINITELY be coming back tomorrow for We’re Organized Wednesday! Looking forward to it! Thanks for inviting me!!

  • Josh Healy August 3, 2010, 9:26 pm

    Hi, hope it’s OK to contact you here. We would love to include your blog on our giveaway search engine: Giveaway Scout (http://www.giveawayscout.com). Have a look and if interested, use our online form to add your blog (http://www.giveawayscout.com/addblog/ ). thanks, Josh

  • Lisa August 3, 2010, 10:20 pm

    You did a fabulous job! It looks so good and I would be extra excited to have that. By the way, I grew up at Lake Powell and spent a lot of life all over Utah so all those places are very familiar to me. 😉

  • jennibell August 4, 2010, 4:47 am

    This is really great! I think I’ll bookmark it for a future project for myself 🙂

  • Kim August 4, 2010, 7:06 am

    That turned out so good. I would have thought you bought it if you hadn’t told us you made it.

  • kathy August 4, 2010, 6:58 pm

    Wow this was great, I sure wish I was that talented, just love what you can do.

  • Karen G August 5, 2010, 2:04 pm

    How fun! :> And I love that you’ve used a tool I already have in my home (adore the Alphalicious cart!). Thanks for the contact paper tip too! From one ‘eyeball it’ gal to another, I think it came out great. :> Hope you are having a wonderful week!

  • Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking August 5, 2010, 10:25 pm

    I need to get on this subway art bandwagon… you did a great job on your 1st one & YES… that spray paint trigger is a finger saver!

  • Sassy Sites August 6, 2010, 1:17 pm

    I featured your adorable Subway Art today over at Sassy Sites! Come on by and check it out… and grab a featured button!! Love your blog!! 🙂

  • Shannon August 6, 2010, 4:12 pm

    I love this idea!! Maybe I’m a little slow- but can you help me understand the contact paper thing you used? Please explain!!! Thanks!!

  • Suzanne August 7, 2010, 6:52 am

    I love it! I’ve used contact paper as a stencil before, but not the actual words~I think it’s a genius idea!

  • jenjen August 7, 2010, 10:18 pm

    Great project!! I love that you used places that mean something to your family. So cute! thanks so much for linking it up to my Subway Art party!

    XOOX
    Jen

  • brown paper packages August 8, 2010, 6:41 pm

    Love how it turned out! I featured you on my favorites post, so be sure to drop by and grab a button!

  • Elaine August 18, 2010, 4:23 pm

    So did you notice a huge difference in using the contact paper as opposed to the vinyl? I priced vinyl at Walmart but there wasn’t the colors I wanted in stock at the time and I did consider contact paper. I would love to make one of these. My girlfriend has a Cricuit so I will borrow hers. I’ll let you know how mine turns out – thanks for the great idea. :0)

  • Stephanie August 30, 2010, 1:17 pm

    Love this! I moved from Utah 13 years ago but seeing Bear Lake has me craving a fresh raspberry milkshake!

  • Whitney August 31, 2010, 5:01 pm

    LOVE this!! Thanks for sharing!!

  • Marcia August 19, 2011, 11:18 am

    Thank you so much–I have two sisters birthdays this weekend and had no idea what to give them!! I’m going to make one for my sister that is a 2nd grade teacher with her class rules, room#, school name and her name! She is so hard to buy for and know she will love it. The other is a vegetarian and is redoing her kitchen, so I’ll do names of fruits and vegetables! What a great way to use the Circuit too! My wheels are spinning for the rest of the family for Christmas ideas.

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