I made this animal alphabet card art for my oldest son’s nursery and loved it so much that it is one of the few elements we have also used in my youngest son’s nursery. I thought today I would share the tutorial for how I made the art in the first place. Here it is in the first nursery hung above the crib:
I adore these animal alphabet flash cards by Jenn Ski. They are so cute and have wonderful colors. I found them about 4 years ago at Michaels, when she had a whole collection of scrapbook stuff there. The Jenn Ski Animal Alphabet Cards
To create the art I mounted the cards on a 24 x 48″ canvas. I wanted to use decorative brads to hold the cards on, but I needed the art to be super durable for a kids room. It has since lived in both my kids rooms and still looks like the day I made it. Here is how you can make flashcard art too:
Supplies/Tools:
- 5 x 7″ flashcards
(I used an alphabet set of 26 cards) - 24×48″ Canvas
- Yes! Paste (or other glue)
- Decorative Brads
- Ruler
- 1/8″ whole punch
- Large Metal Yarn Needle
Step by Step:
1. On the back of each card, measure and mark the placement for the decorative brads. I measured in 1/2″ from each edge of the flashcard and drew a line.
2. In the four corners where the lines intersect, punch hole with a 1/8″ hole punch.
3. Determine the layout of your cards. Since I used 26 cards, there was no way each row would have the same number of cards. I decided they looked best with 9 cards in the top row, 8 cards in the middle row, and 9 cards on the bottom row.
4. Layout the cards face up in the exact placement you want them on the canvas. I just kind of eyeballed the overall layout and spacing of the cards.
5. Remove one card at a time, apply Yes! Paste to the back and then mount it in place on the canvas. Repeat until all the cards are glued on the canvas.
6. In all four corners of the card, you should have a hole punched. Use the yarn needle to poke through the hole and puncture the canvas beneath. Be careful not to bend the canvas.
7. Insert a decorative brad into each hole. Open and flatten out the tabs of the brad on the backside of the canvas. This goes much faster with two people…one inserting brads and the other opening them on the back.
8. Hang and enjoy! For secure hanging in the nursery, I like this french cleat style hanger. I used the french cleat to hang the alphabet card art above the changing table in our current nursery:
P.S. Don’t feel crafty? Z Gallerie now carries the Jenn Ski alphabet as a framed art print, but it will set you back $99.95. My husband spotted it when we were at the Chicago store, but he sweetly said he likes our version better :)
Sharing this project here:
Shabby Nest
Tatertots and Jello
The opinions in this post are my own. I was not compensated for writing this post or any of the opinions contained within it. This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission on purchases made after following an affiliate link.
Sooooo cute!
I LOVE this!! Our new little man shares our room with us, so I wanted something above his crib that was appropriate for a kid… but didnt make our room look totally like a nursery. This is perfect!
Where did you find such cute alphabet cards?
Alison,
I found them originally at Michaels. They still sell them on Amazon (link above).
Hi, I LOVE LOVE LOVE this idea and went out and purchased the items to do it myself. I got the cards to match my room on Etsy.com and paid about $45. (Seems like alot but much cheaper than repainting the room) the only PROBLEM I had is that the 24″ x 36″ canvas is NOT the right size to do this project using 5×7 cards as listed in the supply list. You need at LEAST 45″ wide x24″ and that’s tight! A 24×36 canvas costs around $55 so if you can buy one already made and it matches your decor for only $99, I’d go for that instead. Needless to say I’m returning the wrong size canvas tomorrow and keeping my money because it’s going to end up too costly…Instead I decided to install the cards like this using painters tape and I’ll post a pic when I’m done. I admit it looks SO much better on canvas but I’m just over spending more dough. Anyway, check out the link, it’s still cute … http://wickedkate.com/design-organization/playroom-part-1-wall-art-idea-flashcards/ Not as
Ana,
Thanks for sharing. I apologize about the typos. My canvas is 24 x 48″. I have updated the post. I am glad you found another solution you are happy with.
Supercool idea! I have some old family photos from a trip we took out West when I was a kid that I want to use for this. They were taken in one of those touristy spots where they do a portrait and turn it into a “Wanted” poster, all sepia-toned and aged-looking. I also have a bagful of old copper brads that would be perfect! Many thanks!
Got here through Today’s Creative Blog…cheers!
It looks amazing! I have similar alphabet cards in a vintage tool design that I want to use for my sons toddler room when he graduates out of his crib. This tutorial gives me a perfect way to display them! Thanks for sharing it!
Krista @thehappyhousie
Krista,
That’s great. I can’t believe we have had our flashcard art for over 5 years now…and we still love it in my son’s room.
What paint color is the wall? It’s beautiful!
Heidi,
The wall color in the first room was Space Hero Blue from the Disney Colors at Home Depot. The second room is Plumage by Martha Stewart Living at Home Depot.