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Sawdust Girl®

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Halloween Subway Art

All Posts, Halloween, Kids

       I know, we’ve seen lots of subway art projects lately.

Well I made one too so I might as well share!
Halloween subway art

 

I was inspired by Jen’s Spooky Subway Art project on Tatertot’s and Jello and one from Swainston Vinyl and Design.

 

This project cost me $1
because I bought four 25 cent wooden spiders!
Everything else was stuff I had kicking around:
scrap wood and old paint and I hand painted the words
(which took me 3 days but it was free!)
This whole project would probably only take you a couple hours if you have an ectronic die cutter.  I don’t, so this is how I made mine:
1. Paint a scrap piece of wood grey.

2.  Use black glaze to paint light cobwebs for the background.

halloween subway art

3.  Print out tons of words in different sizes and fonts.

halloween subway art 2

4.  Rub chalk on the back of each word, tape it in place and trace it with a pen.  (A trick I learned here.)

chalk rub
subway art

5. Hand paint every single one of those words with a tiny brush!

(This took me 3 days!!!  No joke!)

6.  Glitter some of the words randomly using good old fashioned Elmer’s Glue and a paint brush.

glitter painting

7.  Decorate some wooden spiders with some black paint and glitter and glue them on with 3D glue dots.

halloween subway art 3

 

9.  Hang it.

Halloween subway art decoratoin

I was going to save all my Halloween projects for October but my miter saw is in the shop for a tune up so it’s all fun projects this week.  It’s amazing how much I use that thing.  I can’t do anything downstairs without it.

Craft room = on hold, Halloween crafts= you’re on!

September 7, 2010 · 52 Comments

« Sign Collage Wall Art
Skull Candlesticks – Cheap and Easy DIY Halloween Decorations »

Comments

  1. Cathy @ The Far Fifty says

    September 7, 2010 at 8:36 pm

    Very cool! I don't have a cricut either so I have to get creative and hand paint too!

    Reply
  2. Katie says

    September 7, 2010 at 8:38 pm

    LOVE IT!!! Great job, now I see why you were wanting a cricut so bad. Goodness, that was dedication to do all that by hand.

    Reply
  3. S Club Mama says

    September 7, 2010 at 8:44 pm

    That's amazing! I would have to do it by hand, too, but it would make a great present for my mom.

    Reply
  4. Morgane @ Bear,Dolly and Moi says

    September 7, 2010 at 9:41 pm

    I like it, just my kind of spooky!the chalk is a great way to retrace, time consuming but efficient! the spiders had a fun touch!Happy September Halloween!So what about candies? I like that part too!

    Reply
  5. M.O.T.B says

    September 7, 2010 at 9:54 pm

    Exactly the kind of thing that made me a follower! Awesome!

    Reply
  6. [email protected] says

    September 7, 2010 at 10:33 pm

    Oh my! This is just adorable!

    Reply
  7. bayleigh says

    September 7, 2010 at 10:48 pm

    I'm impressed with your diligence! It was worth it though. TOO CUTE!

    Reply
  8. Julie says

    September 7, 2010 at 11:43 pm

    Seriously?!!! I am a new follower of yours and every post gets better. I LOVE your take on the halloween subway art and how to do it without the use of a cricut or silhouette. You are so creative and clever! Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  9. [email protected] Spice says

    September 7, 2010 at 11:44 pm

    OMG! I love it!!!

    Reply
  10. Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal says

    September 7, 2010 at 11:52 pm

    That is just scary cute! I can't believe you hand painted it all. I would have to do the same as I have no cutter either. Only mine would be very crooked.

    Reply
  11. Lyndsey says

    September 8, 2010 at 12:52 am

    This is adorable!!!!

    Reply
  12. begin with a Sunny Outlook says

    September 8, 2010 at 2:02 am

    That's cute! Halloween will be here before we know it! Where do you take a miter saw for a tune up?

    Reply
  13. - Brittany says

    September 8, 2010 at 2:19 am

    Love your halloween subway art. Get well soon wishes to your miter saw! I'm sorry to hear that. What happened?Brittany http://www.prettyhandygirl.com

    Reply
  14. Laura @ Ms Smartie Pants says

    September 8, 2010 at 3:19 am

    I love it! Very cute. I am going to have to do this with my new Silhouette. By the way there is a paper you can buy at your local hobby store or Hob Lob. It's like carbon paper but not nearly as messy, comes in black or white. It's called graphite paper, very inexpensive and easy to use instead of the chalk thing. I'm ready to start decorating for fall too!

    Reply
  15. Booyah's Momma says

    September 8, 2010 at 3:41 am

    This? Very cool, Sandra! Love this idea. I second the carbon paper idea; it's what I use for my paintings, and it's a lifesaver.My daughter just asked me today if we could take down the Fourth of July decorations and put up the Halloween decorations. (Yes, I procrastinate). But, on the flip side, you've inspired me to be early in putting out my fall decorations.

    Reply
  16. Delia says

    September 8, 2010 at 4:11 am

    Bravo…I really like your version a lot! THe spider webs are a really nice touch.

    Reply
  17. Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com says

    September 8, 2010 at 4:43 am

    Holey moley! I love it Sandra! Love those cobwebs and love the little spiders. It is so cool! Seriously. Fabulous!xoxoJen

    Reply
  18. Alison says

    September 8, 2010 at 4:55 am

    WOW! I am super impressed!!! I can't believe you hand painted all those words! It's a masterpiece!

    Reply
  19. this blessed nest says

    September 8, 2010 at 5:31 am

    seriously???this is amazing. i can't believe you hand painted! wowza.

    Reply
  20. Wes says

    September 8, 2010 at 11:41 am

    This is incredible! I am so impressed with your creative ability! You are every man's dream! Will you marry me? – WBP

    Reply
  21. yeevon says

    September 8, 2010 at 1:46 pm

    Was laughing at no.9 ~ Lolz!You have a real patience to hand painted every single letter and putting them together! I like how the spiders crawling up to the top!

    Reply
  22. Jess says

    September 8, 2010 at 3:08 pm

    Wow! You are so darn creative! I've never read your blog before but I went back a few pages this morning and I'm so inspired to get going on my home projects!

    Reply
  23. Jessica says

    September 9, 2010 at 3:07 pm

    okay….. i may have to do this. looks SO good!

    Reply
  24. Corner House says

    September 9, 2010 at 3:15 pm

    I love it! Thanks for the great tutorial.

    Reply
  25. Swainston Vinyl & Dezign says

    September 9, 2010 at 9:46 pm

    That is really cool! Thanks so much! You did an awesome job!

    Reply
  26. [email protected] says

    September 10, 2010 at 1:45 pm

    You always deliver! This is so amazing…LOVE it! 🙂

    Reply
  27. [email protected] Hand Me Down House says

    September 10, 2010 at 2:47 pm

    LOVE this, Sandra! It's so spooky/Halloween-ish! Perfect! 🙂

    Reply
  28. Megan says

    September 11, 2010 at 1:50 pm

    It's the perfect fit right there between your windows. How festive and fun – especially those little spiders!

    Reply
  29. Outofmymind says

    September 12, 2010 at 4:10 am

    SO ADORABLE and THE best one I have seen yet! Thanx for sharing and inspiring!!!

    Reply
  30. I♥naptime w/ Chocolate Sundaes says

    September 12, 2010 at 4:57 am

    oh my gosh this is the best one I've seen yet! I LOVE it!!! I'd love for you to link it up tonight!

    Reply
  31. Kendra @ Domestic Princess in Training says

    September 12, 2010 at 4:04 pm

    Love, love, love this! You did such a great job painting your words and I love the little spiders you added! Ps….Thank you for your sweet comment on my fall mantel. Kendra aka “Domestic Princess in Training”

    Reply
  32. Lolly Jane says

    September 12, 2010 at 8:52 pm

    seriously, you are DETERMINED! 3 days?! wow! :)found ya on i heart naptime, am your newest follower.come visit us! 🙂 http://lollyjaneboutique.blogspot.com

    Reply
  33. Jessica (aka Faeanne) says

    September 12, 2010 at 9:08 pm

    This is one of the best Halloween Subway arts I've seen! My favorite part is the spiders that stick out & hang down! I had to pin this for inspiration!I haven't attempted any subway art yet, so I can only imagine how time consuming it must be to do it without a vinyl cutter. BTW- Thanks for sharing the tip on using chalk to transfer the letters.

    Reply
  34. squishsmom says

    September 13, 2010 at 1:59 pm

    Absolutely fabulous!!! Thanks for sharing :o]

    Reply
  35. Shayna @ Texas Monkey says

    September 13, 2010 at 2:01 pm

    This is too cute for words! I love it. It would be perfect for linking up to our Fall Decorations link up party, would love to have you join in! http://texasmonkey.blogspot.com/2010/09/all-about-you-monday-fall-decorations.html

    Reply
  36. Room to Inspire says

    September 13, 2010 at 8:04 pm

    This is just super cute! Perfect for Halloween – what a great take on Subway art! Chelsea

    Reply
  37. squishsmom says

    September 13, 2010 at 9:25 pm

    BTW…You saved me sooooo much printer ink! Duh…can't believe I didn't think to do the letters w/ the outline font 😀

    Reply
  38. Terri Decker says

    September 14, 2010 at 12:39 pm

    Sandra, you are AMAZING!! Ben and I are gawking over your blog. Way to go!

    Reply
  39. Shayna @ Texas Monkey says

    September 14, 2010 at 2:05 pm

    Still love this! Thank you for linking up at All About You Monday, hope you come back next week and join the fun, theme next week is riboon but even if you don't have a ribbon post, any fun project is welcomed!

    Reply
  40. Jenn @ Delicious Ambiguity says

    September 15, 2010 at 10:45 am

    Love this idea and what a great tip to use chalk. II've featured you here:http://www.mydeliciousambiguity.com/2010/09/diy-fall-halloween-decor.htmlHave a great week!

    Reply
  41. ificould says

    September 15, 2010 at 7:02 am

    Honestly!! This is amazing! I can't believe you painted the whole thing!!!! Love this so much, I posted a link: http://ificould-ificould.blogspot.com/2010/09/halloween-subway-art.htmlIf you want, grab a featured button: for sharing!

    Reply
  42. Sandy Ang says

    September 17, 2010 at 11:52 pm

    Pretty Cute !

    Reply
  43. TidyMom says

    September 20, 2010 at 11:28 am

    You did an AWESOME AWESOME job!! Hand painting may have been tedious and slow, but WELL worth the effort……I LOVE it!!I hope I have time to make one of these this year!! Great tutorial too!!

    Reply
  44. Anonymous says

    September 23, 2010 at 3:04 am

    HI, love the blog! what program do you use for your fonts to print them out for the subway art?thanks for all the great ideas!

    Reply
  45. Sandra says

    September 25, 2010 at 11:47 am

    I just used Microsoft Word. I "inserted" word art so I could make them just an outline so I didn't waste ink.

    Reply
  46. Anonymous says

    September 28, 2010 at 2:15 pm

    you are so talented, must be nice:)

    Reply
  47. The Mac's House says

    September 28, 2010 at 5:25 pm

    I'm working on one of these right now. I have to say that it is both fun and a little frustrating putting all the words together and figuring out placement.Great idea and I can't wait for it to be finished……

    Reply
  48. edie3 says

    October 14, 2010 at 2:01 am

    Can I say I love you! Thanks for showing you can do subway art without a diecut machine. It is fantastic!!

    Reply
  49. Margie says

    October 21, 2010 at 2:04 pm

    Thanks for visiting my blog 🙂 I think the sign looks amazing, and am very impressed that you hand painted all the words!

    Reply
  50. Stephanie says

    November 26, 2010 at 7:18 pm

    This is fantastic! I want to make some subway art but don't have a silhouette or anything. I think this would work! Thank you!

    Reply
  51. Jenna, SAS Interiors says

    October 23, 2011 at 9:16 am

    Sandra, this is awesome! I love that you DIDN’T use a silhouette, which is the typical “go-to” for making subway art. I don’t have a silhouette machine, so I always feel at a lose to make these types of projects. I had never heard of the chalk rub before, so I am definitely going to try out the technique. Beautiful – love all the colors and different fonts.

    ~Jenna

    Reply
  52. Katie says

    September 9, 2013 at 7:18 pm

    Hi! I love this! What are the dimension? I would love to use this for my house. Thanks!!

    Reply

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