Today I am going to show you how to make some beautiful, personalized family tree wall art for your home. I made this personalized family tree wall art for my father’s home when I helped him plan a renovation and then redecorate the entire main floor about five years ago. I always intended to share this project, but I forgot about about it until today when I was musing on the Thanksgiving time of year.
Thanksgiving always makes me think about my family. Am I grateful for other things? OF COURSE! But, most of all, I am grateful for my family. They are THE BEST. The family I grew up in: the best. All of my grandparents: the best. Cousins and aunts and uncles: the best. My in-laws: the best. My hubby: the BEST. My kids: the best and the cutest. Are you ready to puke yet? 😉
Don’t worry, I’m done being obnoxious now. I am just feeling overwhelmed with gratitude for my family, and I want to share with you this personalized family tree wall art, which helps us celebrate our roots and branches every single day when we pass it by. I hope that you will be inspired to make your own! I know that your family is THE BEST too! 🙂
Let’s talk about my inspiration for this particular piece of wall art. The family reunion shirts from my childhood that my mom designed in the eighties. True story. See these pics for proof! (I’m the scrawny, tan gal with the big bangs and hair — second from the right on the top pic, front and center on the bottom pic.
I mean, those trees are CUTE, am I right?! I was trying to design a gallery wall to fill a huge space above the sectional couch in the family room, and I wanted to include lots of shapes, sizes, and types of items. (Pictures, clocks, mirrors, art, letters, etc.) It hit me like a jolt of lightning inspiration that the Eulich reunion shirt tree would be a pretty fab little piece of family tree wall art! You can see the final wall below.
Let’s look at how simple it was to make. Truly!
For this project you will need the following supplies:
- oval canvas (bought at a craft store)
- chalkboard paint (also bought at a craft store) + paintbrush
- white paint pen
- white chalk
- paper, pencil, scissors, and tape (for drafting)
Tape together four sheets of paper. Trace the oval outline of your canvas onto the paper. Now paint your canvas with the chalkboard paint. Use two coats if needed so that it is pitch black.
Sketch out a tree. I don’t have a pattern for you, because my family only has three children in it. Your family may have more or less, so I leave it to you to create your own. Use mine as an example and don’t stress over it – it is supposed to be rough and almost cartoon-ish in appearance. Pencil in your names. It can be immediate family, extended family, whatever! Since it was for my dad’s family my family tree wall art was based on the little family unit he and my late mother created.
Now cut out your tree, place it on your canvas where you would like it (you can tape it down if you would like so that it doesn’t wiggle). Use it as a stencil and trace around it with your white paint pen. Allow the tree to dry. Add the heart (if desired). All the heart to dry. Add the names, being careful not to smear anything and allowing plenty of time for everything to dry.
When everything is COMPLETELY dry, take a piece of white chalk and lightly scribble all over the canvas, as shown below. Rub it around with your hand so that everything is evenly coated and has that chalkboard/farmhouse look. (Skip this stage if you prefer a more crisp look.)
Voila! You are finished with your personalized family tree wall art. I hope you love yours as much as we love ours!
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