Confession time: I am a picture junkie. Everyone in my family jokes about the fact that I always have a camera of some sort on me. If we’re at the park, I’m capturing that moment when the swing reaches it’s highest peek. At home, I’m all about candid shots at unexpected moments. And during the holiday season? Well, I’m always ready to capture those special moments that I will treasure for years to come.
So needless to say, taking the perfect picture has never been my problem. However, remembering to turn that picture into something amazing has been a little more difficult for me. You see, I take all these amazing pictures but somehow I forget to print them out. Then the next time I’m out taking pictures, I realize my memory is full on my phone and sadly delete the shot that was perfection in order to make more room for that next image that I just have to capture.
But this holiday season, I’m doing things differently. After taking perfect shots that I’m determined to turn into amazing gifts only to discover that I can’t find them later, I’m switching things up and not only capturing moments that are memorable but turning them into perfect canvas gifts that rival the expensive ones you order in stores at only a fraction of the cost. And did I happen to mention they’re oh, so much more fun to make?
Before I could turn my perfect pictures into amazing gifts, I had to figure out an effective way to get them off on my phone or tablet. I knew that most of the special moments I capture aren’t in my home where I can quickly run to my computer, download the image and send it to my printer. So instead of risking losing those shots, I found the perfect way to print them immediately with my fabulous new HP Deskjet 3632 All-in-One Printer/Copier/Scanner from Walmart!
After picking up my amazing printer in the electronics section, I headed home to let the hubs install it in my office and get it working properly.
I have to say I was expecting installation to take a lot of time and put a hold on my crafting fun but within ten minutes, he had the printer up, loaded with original HP ink which prints twice as many high quality print as generic ink and ready to go.
After his installation was complete, all I had to do was download the HP app onto my smartphone, wait for the perfect moment to present itself and click away! In that instant where my kids were actually getting along and looking quite cute if I do say so myself, I was able to not only snap the perfect shot but also send it directly to my new printer without waiting to get home!
Seconds after pushing the print button a beautiful, bright picture began to come out of my printer and I knew I had found the perfect way to stop losing memories on my phone and instead turn then into something amazing!
Once my image was printed out, I couldn’t believe how great it looked and how simple it had been to take a memory from my phone and turn it into a print that was visually stunning. But I wasn’t done with my transformation yet. Because as I looked at my phone and looked at my print, I just knew that this picture could become the perfect wall canvas to gift to grandparents this holiday season.
I quickly grabbed out a variety of canvas sizes and some Mod Podge Matte and got to work turning my picture into an wall worthy work of art. To start with I covered the entire surface of my canvas with a thick layer of Mod Podge.
Next, I selected the image that was the appropriate size and placed it on top of my canvas.
I pushed my picture down gently to avoid any air bubbles and then I repeated to process with my other pictures, allowing them to dry completely so they were securely attached to the canvas.
Once my pictures were dry, I needed to do a little trimming. While I had tried to match the sizes of my canvases as closely as possible, there was a little overlapping so I just flipped my canvas over and used a razor to trim away the overlapping pieces.
With my pictures perfectly prepared, I added another thick coat of Mod Podge over each picture, keeping my sponge strokes all going the same way. I wanted to ensure that the image would look fabulous for years to come so I really went thick with the Mod Podge knowing that it would dry clear.
Next, I wanted to give the image a textured look (much like prints that are actually on canvas look) so I took a second canvas, flipped it over and laid it over the top of my wet image.
After pushing it down gently to ensure that I was able to achieve texture over the entire image, I gently removed the blank canvas and was left with a textured look in my wet Mod Podge.
I left my images where they were and allowed them to dry for about five hours so that they would be completely sealed.
Once they were dry and didn’t feel sticky to the touch, I used some black paint to cover the sides of the canvas, creating a uniform look that completed my craft perfectly.
I let the paint soak into the canvas a little and didn’t worry about making it perfect so that it had the rustic feel that I have adored in canvas images for so long.
After allowing my paint to dry, my picture canvas was complete! Boasting the clarity that only the HP Deskjet 3632 All-in-One Printer/Copier/Scanner delivers, my image that would have been lost on my phone was saved to perfection in a form that was perfect for gifting or keeping myself.
Since my original goal had been to give the grandmas an unforgettable Christmas gift, I added a bow to each of my canvases along with a printable gift tag and set them under the tree.
Now I know that on Christmas morning I’ve got the perfect gift that will help both grandmas remember a moment in time when my boys were filled with the Christmas spirit. And because they can easily display these beautiful pictures on their wall, even as my kids age they will be able to save a special memory in an unique way.
This holiday season, I encourage you to turn your memories into something magical. Start by printing them out on the HP Deskjet 3632 All-in-One Printer/Copier/Scanner from Walmart and then get creative and turn them into a perfect way to save and display favorite memories for years to come. If you’re anything like me, once you start rescuing your favorite memories from getting lost in your phone and begin turning them into beautiful prints you can enjoy for years to come, you might just discover you need more wall room to display all the precious moments!
Now that I’ve shared how I’m turning my favorite memories into something special, I’d love to hear how you would use the HP Deskjet 3632 All-in-One Printer/Copier/Scanner to create a memorable Christmas gift!
I would love to make canvas pictures of my photo files too. Thanks for the step by step instructions. I am going to get a better printer too, and yes, it will be an HP.
That’s so great! I love canvas pictures, but I always thought I’d have to buy them. Thanks for sharing this.
This is brilliant. I have paid good money for these before, but I never knew I could make them!
I’ve literally never worked with mod podge. The fact that it’s so white scares me and I get nervous that it will ruin whatever I am working on or that it won’t dry clear. Love how your canvas turned out though and it’s so cool how it really did come out completely clear
I never knew you could make your own canvas pictures. I have some great family pics that would be absolutely perfect for this.
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I’m a picture junkie too. But my family loves to get pics of us for the holidays. We send one every year. This would be a great craft for me to do this year. It adds some depth to our already annual tradition of family pic giving.
I love how you made them look so professional! I’m also impressed that the ink stayed put on the paper, even when you covered it with the Mod Podge. They look great!
They really do look great. This opens up so many new decorating possibilities with your pictures too.
I never thought to make my own Canvas picture like this before!! What a great gift idea for the holidays!
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What a great idea! Money saving too, I’d love to do this. I wouldn’t ever think to but it’s a great idea to do it when you can! Perfect gift idea too, I love it!
I can’t believe you made this yourself at home- it looks great! It’s amazing what you can do with a printer these days! I’d love to make some canvas ornaments as gifts.
Wow, this is really cool! I’d love to put up some of my favorite family or travel photos. Your pics turned out great!
This is a fantastic idea! I am in the market for a new printer too, so I will have to make sure I have one that prints great pictures.
What a great idea! I have so many pictures that I want to print out but I don’t think a regular picture would do them justice…a canvas would definitely work!
These look fantastic. I love the textured look to them. I will have to try this with a few photos i have.
This is a fantastic gift idea. I love how easy it is to make. I am definitely going to try making one.
Wow make your own canvas pictures are super creative! I love this concept and this looks super easy to use!
Making our own canvass picture is such a creative and nice idea. Thank you for sharing.
Wow, I never knew that it was so easy! Using an HP printer, you can make so many things!
This printer looks like a dream! I would love to be able to send photos right from my phone that would otherwise go unseen after taking them!
What a fun and unique gift. I love how simple you made it sound to create, off to download the app to my phone!
wow… absolutely love the result! You are so talented and creative.
These are gorgeous and beautiful way to enhance the beauty of your photos. I think the printer made a good job as well.
I love collecting photos of me, friends, and families. I think this is another way for me to really add more beauty to my photos.
This is a great idea! I would love to have large artistic prints of my family!
What a fun and original one-of-a-kind present this would be. Thanks for giving me one more good gift idea to add to this year’s shopping list.
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I’m totally in love with this smart and creative idea! Before, I was wondering how to have a canvas pictures. I’m sure my daughter will always do our pictures to canvass.
The HP printers are the ones I have had for years. I think they work the best and I need to get a new one so I will have to check this one out. This is an awesome way to make canvas pictures and I am going to have to try this for sure. Thanks for sharing the idea.
This is so cool! I had no idea you could do this. This will make great Christmas gifts!
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That is awesome that you can create your own canvas. I love canvasses, my wall is full of it.
I have one of these printers and I seriously love it! It prints such amazing quality of photos. I love your canvas idea. I might have to make one of these for my parents this year!
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This is a great way to make your own canvas!! I’m glad yours turned out the way you wanted them to! Great post!!
I love this. I just bought several canvas photo kits earlier. I’m just choosing the photos from my archives, then I’ll start making the canvas pictures.
I love canvas pictures but I never thought about trying to make one myself. Great idea.
Wow! I didn’t know you could make your own canvas picture. What a neat project you did. Love it!
What a clever way to display your photographs. I think this would make a splendid gift for my MIL.
How fun and beautiful is this! I love the idea that I can create it by my self 😀
It is so crazy that I have been thinking about upgrading my printer, and now I think I found one I want. I love the printing through the phone because I take a lot of mobile pictures.
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I had no idea this was possible to even do at home. Sure would save a ton of money for gifts!
What an awesome craft!? I love canvas prints and these look awesome but are a lot less expensive I’m sure.
I love Canvases. Yours came out really nice. I cant’ wait to make one.
This is an awesome craft! Seriously the perfect gift to give to grandparents as holiday gifts
No way??? I had no idea it was so simple. I have purchased canvases in the past and spent hundreds of dollars. This is so much easier. Thanks for sharing.
Me and my mom have a long running t-shirt thing going so I would use it to create a custom t-shirt!
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Oh wow! That looks really good!! I never would have guessed you printed from a home printer!! I will have to do this for a gift for my in laws.. they’re always asking for pictures.
I love pictures on canvas. I honestly never thought of making my own. Yours turned out so nice!!
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This is a great holiday gift for the grandparents! My mom lost her wallet recently, and the part she was most upset about is that she lost the little printed pictures she had in there (especially of my children). I think I need to make her a special photo gift as a holiday present. #client
I love the idea of making a canvas print myself. I didn’t realize it was so easy! We’ve got plenty of pictures we could use for the perfect print.
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This is an awesome DIY project to try soon. Just in time for the Christmas season!
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I have always loved the look of canvas pictures. I have never thought of making one of my own, though. Wonderful idea!
Hey, that looks really amazing! I would have never though of it! You are really good with crafts obviously 🙂
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How cool to learn how it’s done. Yours turned out great!
Sooo cool! Such an amazing gift idea! Love the way they turned out!
That is such a clever idea to use the Modge Podge! I’ll have to try this soon.
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I am totally loving your Canvas. I usually order them online but I am definitely going to try it this way. Thank you for sharing.
I also love taking a lot of pictures! This is a great way to showcase them and you make it look so easy to do.