Inspired by Amanda Happe

July 20, 2012 Lindsey Campbell

I have been intrigued by Amanda Happe's work since I first spotted her piece on pinterest. (Isn't it a great place to find beautiful things?) I love her use of negative space to catch the viewers attention and her bright colors. Although she uses words like 'gratitude' and 'selflessness' and 'courage', I thought it would be fun to make a personal version with my family's name on it. You can visit the rest of her work on Amanda Happe's site .

To make this project you only needed three materials: a flat piece of wood, 2" vinyl letters and acrylic paint. Once you decide how you want to arrange your letters, lightly draw a design on the wood and use a ruler to mark where to stick the letters down.

With the letters stuck firmly to the wooden surface, begin painting in the design that you drew. Remember that the stickers will create a negative space when they are removed.

After the paint dries, simply remove the letters and erase the pencil markings. You can always add a thin layer of varnish or lacquer to seal the wood for years to come.

Depending on the colors of your living room, you can paint the wood to match your decor! I used a 12x12 piece of board since we are currently traveling, but if you use a larger piece of wood and larger letters it will be a beautiful addition to your home!