The Keys to my Heart

How exciting! I am the guest designer on Sassylady's Blog today. Come on over!

We renovated our downstairs a couple of years ago. and it has taken me until now to decide what type of "art" I want on my walls. My kids and grandkids are honestly the keys to my heart, so what better art for my home? Thanks, HGTV, for the great ideas for family photos!

Ingredients

8 x 10" canvas (Michael's or Wal-Mart)

Krylon spray paint

Square1 printable vinyl

My Sketch (or other photo editing software)

cardstock

Lettering Delights SVG files: Keys

Make The Cut Software

Assorted glue

Steps

Spray the canvas with the Krylon paint in a well ventilated area. I actually taped off an area in the picture, but later went back and sprayed the whole front of the canvas. Let dry

Adjust the photo in My Sketch (for more information click here.) Save the photo to be traced in MTC.

Select File: Import Pixel Trace and choose the photo from the correct file on your computer.  

Adjust the settings so that the entire photo is green. Set alpha to highest number, Threshold 255, scale so that the size is of your choosing--no larger than 8 x 10 and finally select Import

When prompted, select no.

Send the graphic to your home printer to be printed and then cut in the MTC software. I used my Zing and this vinyl cuts like butter! Zing settings: Speed 10, Force 8, Red blade with offset of 0.35, one pass. 

You can simply print the photo and trim with scissors or a paper cutter. 

Apply the vinyl photo to the canvas. Peel the vinyl from the backing; position as desired on the front (spray painted) canvas. Turn the canvas over and lay face down on a clean, firm surface. With firm pressure, roll a breyer/roller over the back of the canvas. 

Flip the canvas right side up. Gently roll the vinyl to secure to the canvas.

I was going to stop here, but decided this art needed more! So, I opened a set of keys in my MTC. Notice that I duplicated each of three keys so that each totalled three in number. I planned to cut these from cardstock so three stacks well and creates a thicker product. 

I then set up my cardstock for cutting: 

On the Zing I was able to cut the keys using the WYSIWYG mode with the following settings:

Force 80, Cut one time, Red blade offset at 0.35. The result:

Hmm....looks like I have some really cool corners for my photo from the inside of the heart keys!

I have to admit that in the end, I did not like the keys all the same size as pictured above. I recut one set smaller and was much happier with it. 

To complete the art, glue the keys and the corners around the vinyl edge. As I looked at it I realized that the next time I am in a craft store I will look for either a chain or a cord with tassel to add just a bit more dimension. And in the end, tying up those keys just ties up my heart even more!