Making Tree Growth Charts for Kid's Playroom

I'm excited to share one of the projects I've been working on!

 

It is a Children's Playroom.

 

Overall, it has been quite a large project

 

including

 

Tree Growth Charts

 

Dollhouse Shadowboxes

 

Whimsical Mirrors

 

Chalk/Cork/Pegboards

 

Flowers, birds, clouds, and stars.

 

Today I thought I would show you the Tree Growth Charts.

 

 

 

 

Well, that's a sneak peek

 

because first I want to show you

 

how I sketched it out for wall placement.

 

 

 

 

There will be two large trees,

 

one at each end of the room.

 

The trees will be 5' wide x 7' tall.

 

The items in between are large dollhouse shadowboxes

 

including a firestation.

 

Because the project is not installed yet,

 

I don't have the final photo

 

where the leaves and tree will be mounted on the wall.

 

But I can show you the process

 

and individual pieces as I have them so far.

 

I used quality red oak plywood.

 

(about $20 per 4' x 8' sheet)

 

 

 

I did a freehand sketch directly on the plywood

 

but, believe me, my eraser was hard at work.

 

You could make a large paper pattern first and then trace.

 

Here is a photo of the base standing against the wall.

 

 

 

 

Now a view of it laid out on the floor with the leaves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well, you get the idea.

 

It will be fun to share the photos after installation.

 

I will show you some of the other builds for the room soon!

 

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

 

Deb

 

 

Linking To:

Savvy Southern Style

I Gotta Create

Beyond the Picket Fence

The 36th Avenue

 Stone Gable

House of Hepworths

Brambleberry Cottage

French Country Cottage

 

 



How to Paint a Children's Canvas Growth Chart

I'm excited to share some tips on painting canvas with you!

Really, canvas by the yard is not expensive (maybe around $5-$7 a yard)

So, this is an inexpensive project and worth a try.

It's just paint.

You can always paint over top.

You can really correct anything with paint.

Even though this design has shading details, you don't have to include that.

You can keep it as simple as you like.

You are welcome to try this pattern for your personal use.

                                                 

So I buy the inexpensive Canvas by the yard:

Measure  24" X 52".

I tear the canvas at those points:

Tear all loose threads and lay out flat on table.

Paint one side at a time with a Flat paint.

The paint will need to be fluid so you might have to add some water.

I used Kilz:

Here are some of the paints I used:

Mixing 2 or 3 shades of blue I brushed on the background.

Then using camel and white and raw sienna you are ready to paint the sand.



Tape off a section on the side for the waves.

This will be your paint guide to keep them about the same size.

Lay out templates shapes including a circle for the beachball

and a bucket shape.

Lightly pencil around and fill in with white paint.

Fill in the shapes with color and design.

I like to shade some of the areas with raw sienna and clear glaze:

Next let the canvas dry and trim the raw edges.

I use a blow dryer to speed the process.

Turn the canvas over and turn edges under at least 1".

You can turn under more to achieve the finished size you want.

Start by just turning under the 2 long sides and sealing with glue.

Here I just used Elmers, but Tacky would probably work better.

The finished size on my canvas was 20 1/2" x 48 1/4".

You might let these 2 sides dry a bit and lay some magazines

or something heavy on them to seal the edges.

Make sure your canvas is square by resting it in the corner of a table

making sure the bottom edge and side both line up with

the edges of the table.

Cut a 1" wide piece of wood trim (I used paneling)

the width of the canvas (mine was 20 2/2").

Lay the trim wood and the 6' length of ribbon

at the top and turn top edge down to glue and seal.

Turn under bottom edge and glue.

Use a tape guide now at the top for name placement.

Then make ruler markings on the side.

Add any finishing touches.

It's ready to hang, making sure it's at the right heighth from the floor

matching your measurements on the canvas.

Here are some other design ideas.

Of course, Winnie the Pooh and Peter Rabbit

would be for personal use.

You can do it!

I hope you give it a try.

Thanks for stopping!  Would enjoy your comment.