Monday, June 21, 2010

Personalized {Subway} Sign

I've been seeing homemade subway signs all over the place recently {you can see some of my inspiration here}. I love the way they look and really wanted to make one for myself but I wasn't thrilled about spending a lot of time stenciling and painting for a couple of reasons. One, I don't have a lot of free time and two, I don't have a steady hand.

So Zak and I brainstormed on how we could create one electronically and pay to have it printed. Fortunately, Tee, Zak's Dad is a graphic art designer with his own business called "First Impressions" so he helped us out using Adobe Illustrator {I created my version in Microsoft Word and sent it to him to convert}. We took the file to Kinkos and had it printed on heavy weight paper for a total cost of $23.

The size 16x20 was determined by a frame that I found at Goodwill for $3. It is a very basic wood frame that was originally painted dark blue. I sanded it down and spray painted it with Rustoleum Aluminum.



It turned out to look like more of a modern piece of art as opposed to a vintage sign but I really like the simplicity of it. Each of the street names are symbolic to Zak and I and that is my favorite thing about it!


Total Cost = $30



All Linked Up:

Tatertots and Jello...Subway Art Party

Today's Creative Blog...Get Your Craft On Tuesday

Just A Girl...Show and Share Wednesday

The Shabby Chic Cottage...Transformation Thursday

Visit thecsiproject.com



~Momma to Bug n' Bear~

20 comments:

Diane at Perfectly Imperfect Life said...

I really like your sign and I love that you used the computer, rather than painting it by hand. I'm going to have to remember that.

I'm also liking the aluminum spray paint. I'd been wishing some of my frames were metal and not wood, so now I see what my solution is going to be!

Destiny said...

This is wonderful! I think I might try something like this in my boys room!! Great Job! visting from csi....

Fuzzy Slippers said...

That is wicked awesome! This is such a great idea. Thanks for the inspiration! :)

~Mommy+Me~ said...

Turned out nice! I like that you printed it too. I wouldn't have the patience to do it some of the other ways people have shown how.

Jen said...

I've always wanted one of these but
they are so expensive to buy & I'm
more of a "rustic" stenciler...
The printing part is an awesome idea!
Love it!

Alison @ Oopsey Daisy said...

Man, I need to jump aboard the subway art train!! This is SO cool! Thanks for sharing!

~Alison
http://oopsey-daisy.blogspot.com/

Petie@inspirednesting.com said...

Great job. I love the sentiment with all the street names that are familiar to you two.

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

Great job!! I love it. I just bought a big frame to do a subway art project with the addresses of the homes we have lived in since we were married. I think that is so nice that it means something to you and is so beautiful!

xoxo
Jen

Lisa said...

what a fun idea. i think i'd like to do this and document all our home addresses - we've had several!! thanks for sharing!

Erica said...

I love how you personalized this idea!

ellie g said...

This is really cute. I've seen the idea of using landmarks in big cities (i.e. Times Square, broadway...) But I've never been to a big city. It always made me sad that I couldn't have one that meant anything. Tah Dah! This is the answer. Love it!

Elz said...

Love it. Yours definitely looks more profssional and I'm sure you retained much more sanity than I did. Great project.

Robin Johnson said...

Such a great idea. I really like that you made it so meaningful to your family. Wonderful job.

Melanie said...

I haven't been a fan of these signs, but I really like your idea of using streets that have special meaning. Thanks for sharing:)

Elizabeth said...

I, too, love those signs - you did an amazing job on the computer! And making it personal makes it even more special!

Amanda @ Healthy House on the Block said...

I love that you used street names that were significant -- I've never thought to do that. It turned out REALLY wonderful. :) Great job!!

Desiree said...

You ladies are so kind leaving such wonderful compliments! I must admit though the idea to use streets I have lived on came from Carrie at Buzzings of a Queen Bee as I mentioned in my subway sign inspiration post. I have to give credit where credit is due :-) I hope I have inspired each of you to make your own version.

-Desiree

Chris said...

That is just too cool! I never would have thought to have it digitally done! I love how it turned out!

Amy @ Positively Splendid said...

I absolutely must try my hand at this! What a super fun project!

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

So cool! I like the font you used. :) I've seen some cool subway art lately...maybe I need to try it too! Visiting from The CSI Project. Hope you'll stop by and visit me too. :)