Blueprint copies are an inexpensive way to create personalized, large art for your home, but they can also encourage creativity and help develop those fine motor skills at the same time. I made this dry erase poster for my daughter to enjoy after she showcased her first wall mural last week.
It was lovely but we’re renters and are two weeks away from moving out! I knew I needed to continue to encourage her artistic tendencies in a way that would still help us get our security deposit back, so I started scheming.
Supplies:
-printed photo
-access to a blueprint printer at a major copy shop
–dry erase markers
–washi tape
–poster putty
I decided we’d start with a fun little photoshoot with her dressed to the nines in her favorite princess accessories. I didn’t have to twist her arm for this part at all. I then loaded my photo onto my Mac with iPhoto and exported it to Photoshop. I converted it to black and white using A Color Story and printed it out on my home printer.
Next I took it to my local Kinko’s and got help printing it on a blueprint sized printer. Then I had it laminated on glossy laminate. I then attached it to my wall using poster putty and added washi tape to the corners just because it’s pretty. Do you really need a good reason to use washi tape? You really don’t.
I talked to Ruby about using these special dry erase markers on the poster and ONLY on the poster. I also showed her how easily they wiped off with a tissue so that she understood she could enjoy drawing on it, but also easily change something she didn’t like. It takes a lot of frustration out of the process when a kid knows they can fix something if they don’t like how it turned out.
We worked on the first one together, and then I made her a special drawing while she was occupied in another room as a surprise. She loved having fairy wings and seeing how easy it was to not only color in her clothes but to add on to the picture as well.
We used a tissue to fix mistakes and change colors, but I think we might just keep a pretty wash cloth nearby from now on so we don’t end up with wadded tissue all over the floor.
After letting a drawing stay on overnight, I noticed the Office Depot markers wiped off quite easily, but the Expo markers needed the Windex to sit on it a bit longer before it wiped off. My suggestion would be to have your little artist wipe it down at the end of each day it’s used for it to last the longest if you’re using the Expo brand markers.
Sometimes all it takes is a trip to the copy store to buy yourself and your littles a few hours of fun! What kind of fun photo shoot would you dream up before printing out your own blueprint? –Rachel
I LOVE this idea Rachel!!! I am going to do this in my kids room! Many Thanks!!!
I love this! I wonder if I could get my girl and my little boy to do a photo shoot. Then they could draw on each other!
What a cute idea!
What a fun idea! This would have been my dream when I was little!
This is brilliant!! From the crayon-on-wall murals they’ve done in the past, I can only assume that my boys would LOVE this! 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing!
I LOVE this idea! I think it would be fun to put the kids in their swimsuits for photos so it would be like a total blank slate for dress up. So fantastic — thanks for sharing!
Rebecca
www.notsosahm.blogspot.com
How cute and beautiful! x
https://www.marjorievie.blogspot.com
This s the freakin best idea ever! I looooove it! I will definitely be doing this with my toddler. Maybe not on the wall though….
xoxo
The Accidental Mama
http://www.theaccidentalmama.com
This is brilliant!
Xx from the Girl in the Houndstooth Coat
This idea is SO creative – I love it! Perfect for kids! http://meowemily.blogspot.com
Eek! What a fun idea!
Wow, cool idea. Very unique!
Really smart idea! My niece and nephew loved the chalkboard wall at my old house, but this looks SO much less messy 🙂
My only concern would be that they may “accidentally” miss the laminate & mark the walls. Wouldn’t be a huge deal if I owned, but in a rental, ehhh.
Brilliant idea! I don’t have kids but very tempted to do this on my own wall…!
Hi Jossee! Send us an email at: support AT redvelvetart DOT com and we would be happy to help!
Just something to throw out there. Laminated items like this also work really well with Sharpie markers. I use this method for lists, forms, and sketches all the time. Sharpie admittedly needs occasional wipe downs with rubbing/isopropyl alcohol, but generally erases from laminate using a white rubber eraser. Also, the alcohol could be an idea for getting the expo markers off without having to soak it.
great idea!!
www.agoprime.it
My son will love this project!
http://www.mykitschworld.blogspot.com.es
This has to be the most amazing idea, ever! I love it, freedom and boundaries all in one. I think that’s really great parenting.
I just purchased some words off you app but they won’t show up in the final picture.