A few years ago we had a flood in our basement. We live in a high water table area, I guess you would call it, and if something happens to the sump pumps (plural, yes, we have two sump pumps – one as a backup), we are in deep doo-doo. Well, not doo-doo exactly, just ground water.
This print was one of the items that got flood damage. Even after it dried out the print was sort of water stained and a little crunchy looking. I was going to throw it out, but liked the frame, so I just stuck it back in the basement and promptly forgot about it until last week when I was doing my massive clean out.
Hello, Lady Liberty!
My cleaning frenzy self was going to just toss it altogether. Pam, you haven’t done anything with it in five years, so just get rid of it already!
But my inner thrifter wanted to keep it. It’s still good. Just take it out of the frame and try to use it for something . . . anything!
Inner thrifter won that battle.
I bought a cheap canvas at Hobby Lobby in the art supply section with my 40% off coupon.
I stapled burlap to the front and around the sides just to get some texture on the piece.
Then I ripped out the statue part of the print in an artistically messy fashion. This is no fine art restoration project here, we’re going for a rustic look to go along with the damage on the print.
At first, I tried to just Mod Podge the print onto the burlap, but it wasn’t sticking very well. So I painted part of the burlap with craft paint and then Mod Podged the print onto that. The paint was the key.
So now the girl is back where she belongs. Holding her torch aloft, welcoming people into my living room.
Linking with Saturday Night Special
Kim K.
She looks fantastic. That’s one super duper makeover. Well done, Pam.
Patty
Good job, Pam ! I was going to recommend tea-staining Lady Liberty so that the water stains would just blend in, then using her somewhere in a decoupage. You’ve done her justice !
Linda @ A La Carte
I’m so glad you saved this awesome print! Love how it looks!!!
Sherry@Back2Vintage
This looks like something you would buy at Anthropologie!!! They’ll probably be calling you soon!!! Great save!!!
Mary Anne Komar
great idea, and lots more applications, lovely!
NanaDiana
Cute, Pam. Glad you didn’t toss her to the curb. She looks great witht the burlap background- xo Diana
Happier Than a Pig in Mud
That really turned out neat-nice save:@)
Judy
Great save. Now that’s thinking.
Wanda @ Just Vintage
Great idea! I’ll have to remember that. Oh, and I have those same inner battles all the time. Toss or “hoard”? Sigh.
LisaS
Interesting project that turned out great! Have a great day 😉
Shabby chic Sandy
That looks great!
Diane
Bravo! What a great idea!
Debbie
Such a great idea! She looks wonderful!
xo
A Walk in the Countryside
Thanks for the tip about the paint! I tried to modge podge to burlap last week and didn’t have any success either! Next time, I’ll remember to paint the area first!
Olive Cooper
Your inner thrifter did good.
Pamela
Pam this is genius!
Kerin
So glad that the ‘Thrifty Pam’, won out
She looks great!!
MamaMonki
Great Save! It turned out gorgeous. Thanks for the heads up on the on the notwiddletwaddle blog too. Hope you have a great week.
Sweet Peas
Love the burlap and the water stains just give it character!! New follower to your blog 🙂
Susie Q
Love this project Pam! You are so talented! I am trying the penny blowing ball soon. Grace and I are saving pennies!!
Love,
Sue
Babs
Great idea for “saving” the Statue of Liberty! Love how it turned out and thanks for the tutorial.
Babs
Nancy
Very cool!!!