I know, we’ve seen lots of subway art projects lately.
Well I made one too so I might as well share!
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.
3. Print out tons of words in different sizes and fonts.
4. Rub chalk on the back of each word, tape it in place and trace it with a pen. (A trick I learned here.)
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.
7. Decorate some wooden spiders with some black paint and glitter and glue them on with 3D glue dots.
9. Hang it.
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!
Cathy @ The Far Fifty says
Very cool! I don't have a cricut either so I have to get creative and hand paint too!
Katie says
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.
S Club Mama says
That's amazing! I would have to do it by hand, too, but it would make a great present for my mom.
Morgane @ Bear,Dolly and Moi says
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!
M.O.T.B says
Exactly the kind of thing that made me a follower! Awesome!
[email protected] says
Oh my! This is just adorable!
bayleigh says
I'm impressed with your diligence! It was worth it though. TOO CUTE!
Julie says
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 🙂
[email protected] Spice says
OMG! I love it!!!
Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal says
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.
Lyndsey says
This is adorable!!!!
begin with a Sunny Outlook says
That's cute! Halloween will be here before we know it! Where do you take a miter saw for a tune up?
- Brittany says
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
Laura @ Ms Smartie Pants says
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!
Booyah's Momma says
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.
Delia says
Bravo…I really like your version a lot! THe spider webs are a really nice touch.
Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com says
Holey moley! I love it Sandra! Love those cobwebs and love the little spiders. It is so cool! Seriously. Fabulous!xoxoJen
Alison says
WOW! I am super impressed!!! I can't believe you hand painted all those words! It's a masterpiece!
this blessed nest says
seriously???this is amazing. i can't believe you hand painted! wowza.
Wes says
This is incredible! I am so impressed with your creative ability! You are every man's dream! Will you marry me? – WBP
yeevon says
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!
Jess says
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!
Jessica says
okay….. i may have to do this. looks SO good!
Corner House says
I love it! Thanks for the great tutorial.
Swainston Vinyl & Dezign says
That is really cool! Thanks so much! You did an awesome job!
[email protected] says
You always deliver! This is so amazing…LOVE it! 🙂
[email protected] Hand Me Down House says
LOVE this, Sandra! It's so spooky/Halloween-ish! Perfect! 🙂
Megan says
It's the perfect fit right there between your windows. How festive and fun – especially those little spiders!
Outofmymind says
SO ADORABLE and THE best one I have seen yet! Thanx for sharing and inspiring!!!
I♥naptime w/ Chocolate Sundaes says
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!
Kendra @ Domestic Princess in Training says
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”
Lolly Jane says
seriously, you are DETERMINED! 3 days?! wow! :)found ya on i heart naptime, am your newest follower.come visit us! 🙂 http://lollyjaneboutique.blogspot.com
Jessica (aka Faeanne) says
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.
squishsmom says
Absolutely fabulous!!! Thanks for sharing :o]
Shayna @ Texas Monkey says
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
Room to Inspire says
This is just super cute! Perfect for Halloween – what a great take on Subway art! Chelsea
squishsmom says
BTW…You saved me sooooo much printer ink! Duh…can't believe I didn't think to do the letters w/ the outline font 😀
Terri Decker says
Sandra, you are AMAZING!! Ben and I are gawking over your blog. Way to go!
Shayna @ Texas Monkey says
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!
Jenn @ Delicious Ambiguity says
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!
ificould says
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!
Sandy Ang says
Pretty Cute !
TidyMom says
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!!
Anonymous says
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!
Sandra says
I just used Microsoft Word. I "inserted" word art so I could make them just an outline so I didn't waste ink.
Anonymous says
you are so talented, must be nice:)
The Mac's House says
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……
edie3 says
Can I say I love you! Thanks for showing you can do subway art without a diecut machine. It is fantastic!!
Margie says
Thanks for visiting my blog 🙂 I think the sign looks amazing, and am very impressed that you hand painted all the words!
Stephanie says
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!
Jenna, SAS Interiors says
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
Katie says
Hi! I love this! What are the dimension? I would love to use this for my house. Thanks!!