DIY Rainbow Wall Art using Inspirational Quote

Let me show you how to make DIY rainbow wall art using an inspirational quote for cute home decor!

Using inspirational quotes in your craft projects is an easy way to spread positive vibes, whether you use the wall art in your own home or give away the art as a gift.

I found the stencil, “be the rainbow in someone else’s cloud,” at the Dollar Tree and added it to my craft stash in hopes of a future rainbow craft.

On another shopping trip, I came across a piece of scrapbook paper with the cute rainbow and cloud design at Michael’s.

I knew then that I had the basic supplies to make inspirational creative crafts with a cute rainbow theme. I even have leftover scrapbook paper that can be used for another small art project.

DIY RAINBOW WALL ART USING INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE

USING THRIFT STORE WALL ART FOR CRAFT PROJECTS

I purchased my wall art from a thrift store. I always keep a stash of thrifted wall decor on hand to use for my DIY wall art projects.

This wall art piece says Hobby Lobby on the back. I guess it was donated because one corner of the MDF frame was starting to peel back.

The damage was so minor that I knew I’d have no problem crafting with the wall art. I just put a little glue underneath the peel and I was good to go!

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SUPPLIES NEEDED:

• thrift store wall art
• stencil with inspirational quote
• rainbow scrapbook paper (or bright design)
• plain scrapbook paper
• artist paper
• scissors or paper cutter (Fiskars my fave)
• white chalk paint
• acrylic craft paint (rainbow colors)
• mini foam pouncer
• foam paint brush
• artist liner paint brush
• Mod Podge
• masking or painter’s tape
• pencil
• ruler
• wax paper

HOW TO MAKE RAINBOW WALL ART DIY

Originally, I thought using this wall art would be perfect since it already had a white frame, but I discovered the white was more of a grey white compared to my rainbow paper so I had to paint it. So much for saving time!

STEP 1 – PREPARE THE THRIFTED WALL ART

Repair any damage needed and then paint the frame. Also, paint some of the artwork itself so if the scrapbook paper is a little off then the background color will not be noticeable.

I needed two coats of chalk paint. Usually only one coat is needed when chalk paint is used, but I think the MDF prevented a good looking first coat. (The paint in the center is just me removing excess paint off my brush.)

Paint the frame with one coat of Mod Podge for a slight sheen.

STEP 2 – CUT THE RAINBOW PAPER

THE EASIEST WAY TO MEASURE:

• Use wax paper to make a template by placing a piece inside the frame inset.
• Press down in the center, then smooth outward and run fingernail along the inset edge to make a crease.
• Cut out wax paper pattern following the creases, place on rainbow paper and trace, then cut out.

NO WAX PAPER ON HAND? Use the following instructions:

• Measure the inset of your wall art. Begin marking the back side of the paper with the measurements needed with short pencil marks, and then finish by using the ruler to connect the marks with a straight line.
• If you don’t have wax paper to make a template, then adjusting the cuts and glueing the rainbow paper into place is probably the hardest step of this whole project because you have to “hold your mouth just the right way.” Have you heard that expression before?
• Use a paper cutter or scissors to cut out the scrapbook paper you’ve marked. It’s better to have cut too big than too small so you don’t have gaps showing between the paper and art.
• Carefully, place the paper in the inset, but not all the way. Just move it around enough so you can see where you may need to adjust the size.
• I ended up having to adjust cutting two sides the first time and one side the second time. Use your ruler to mark straight lines on the back side again and then do your trimming.

STEP 3 – GLUE THE PAPER IN PLACE

Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge on the top portion of the wall art. Do not make it goopy.

Carefully, place the paper on the top portion of the glue. While holding up the lower portion of the paper, apply Mod Podge on the lower portion of the art and press the paper in place.

TIP: Use plastic wrap or bag to smooth the paper so there are no bubbles.

STEP 4 – PREPARE THE ARTIST PAPER FOR STENCILING

I chose watercolor artist paper to stencil on. If you have any other type of art paper that’s not thin then give that a test try. The watercolor paper is just what I had on hand.

Determine what size the art paper needs to be cut by comparing it with the size of your inspirational quote stencil and the size of the wall art. In this case, I could just trace around the stencil for the correct size.

I painted my artist paper with white acrylic craft paint since it wasn’t a true white. After it was dry, I placed it under something heavy as it was curling a bit.

STEP 5 – STENCIL THE INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE

Stenciling is a perfect alternative if you don’t own a cutting machine like a Cricut or Silhouette Cameo.

Tape the stencil down to your table using masking or painter’s tape. (I made a hot mess of that tape, didn’t I?)

Use a miniature foam pouncer to begin stenciling. Use quick up and down motions with the pouncer.

Make sure to offload the paint before each coat of paint to prevent bleeding under the stencil. I pounced on 5 light coats of paint. Below, is how the first coat of painted looked.

I used 7 different colors for the word “rainbow.” The bright colors really pop in the design!

I meant to pounce a little white paint in the cloud while the stencil was still taped down, oops. I just ended up adding the white paint freehand during the touch-up step.

Use an artist liner brush to touch up any areas where the paint bled through or areas that need more paint.

STEP 6 – CUT THE ACCENT PAPER

Place the stenciled art in the corner of the accent scrapbook paper. Measure and mark with a pencil the desired amount you want to show behind the art and cut out.

Apply Mod Podge to the back side of the rainbow art and press to the center of the accent paper. Smooth using plastic wrap or bag.

STEP 7 – COMPLETE YOUR WALL ART

Apply Mod Podge to the back side of the accent paper and press in place, then use plastic wrap or bag to rub and smooth. Now you’re ready to hang your art!

This rainbow wall art would adorable displayed in a playroom, kid’s bedroom, or a craft room. Imagine it hanging amongst a colorful gallery wall filled with your kid’s wall art.

VIEW THESE RELATED CRAFT PROJECTS:

PAINTED RAINBOW ZENTANGLE ART

MIRROR MAKEOVER WITH INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE

BELOW, GET LINKS TO SEE MORE CREATIVE DIY PROJECTS!

It’s time for the monthly Sustainable Craft Blog Hop that’s hosted by Sum of their Stories. Our group of creative bloggers get together and share our DIY upcycled/recycled projects with all of our readers. We show how you can use a sustainable supply, or multiple supplies, in your craft projects. The theme this month is RAINBOW.

Sum of their Stories – Paper Rainbow Ring Binder

Christine’s Crafts – Easy Rainbow Brooches

Purple Hues and Me – Upcycled Plastic Bottle Rainbow Flowers

Sew Crafty Crochet – St. Patrick’s Day Rainbow

Our Good Life – Easy Rainbow Hearts Tote

Mimi a Great Name for Grandma – Upcycle Tin Can Planters

Sharing my DIY Rainbow Wall Art at these fabulous blogs!