It's about time I busted out a cute, simple DIY project. I have no idea how this idea popped into my head but once it did, I just had to see if I could do it.
First I spied some tiny shadow box frames at Homesense for $5.99 each. A set of three would have been nice but alas I had to settle for two since that's all they had.
Next I shopped on Etsy for some vintage tootsie toy cars. Many sellers sell them individually but the seller I found had a lot of eight of 'em. I paid $15.99 plus a bit of shipping. (Only 6 of them are shown in the photo below.)
I used one of the pictures that came with the frames to trace two rectangles from some lightly textured, white scrapbook paper from Michaels.
I glued the scrapbook paper to the cardboard back of the frame using a plain old gluestick.
That gave me a nice, crisp background for the little cars.
I figured out the spacing and decided on three cars per frame. That left two extra cars which I'm sure I'll use somewhere someday.
To adhere the metal cars to the scrapbook paper / cardboard I chose to use clear silicone. I applied it to the car tires and the car undersides using a toothpick.
I let the silicone dry for an hour (I probably should have waited longer but I'm impatient) and then popped them into the frames.
They are pretty freakin' adorable if you ask me. You could tweak this project by using toy airplanes or a larger shadowbox filled with nine or ten cars in neat, little rows. So many possibilities!
Perfect for a little boys room or nursery.
Do you have any unique kids room / nursery wall art ideas?
P.S. If you're like me and enjoy finding interesting things to frame, you might want to check out some of my other posts:
Sharing Here:
DIY Project Parade @ The DIY Show-Off, Weekend Wrap-Up Party @ Tatertots and Jello, Nifty Thrifty Sunday @ Nifty Thrifty Things, Strut Your Stuff Saturday @ Six Sisters' Stuff, Simply Klassic Sunday @ Simply Klassic Home, Making the World Cuter Monday @ Making the World Cuter, Get Your Craft On @ Today's Creative Blog, Tuesday's Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest
Oh my goodness, these are adorable! Too bad the only little one in my immediate family right now is a 1 year old girl! I love those HomeSense shadowboxes and did my own little vignette with the exact same one last year. I am good with decorating tabletops and mantels but I definitely have to work on hanging more things on the walls. Your site is a great place to start for affordable inspiration!
ReplyDeleteSO cute! LOVE. Great pics too. Maybe when my toddler graduates to a big boy room in a year or so... (not rushing that, though!)
ReplyDeleteAdorable Sarah! Such a sweet idea!
ReplyDeleteSo so so cute Sarah!!! I have a nephew being born any day- this is SUCH a great idea!
ReplyDeletethis is such a great idea! so cute for a nursery or boys room!
ReplyDeleteI agree .... freakin' adorable
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I seriously don't know how you come up with these things! Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteI love this. Such a simple, sweet project!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea, a great way to showcase every little boys love of cars in a nice way. Newest follower.
ReplyDeleteLisa
This is so stinkin' cute! If my husband and I have a little boy, I'm totally doing this, but with little tractors. Thanks for such a great idea! (Glad I had something interesting to read during the Superbowl! He he)
ReplyDeleteThat is totally adorable, Sarah! Very, very cute and easy ~ I like that!
ReplyDeleteSo, so cute!!
ReplyDeleteSo cute!! Love this project!! Griffin has a Rt. 66 theme in his nursery & I tried to find some old vintage cars to decorate his tree with at Christmas & was unsuccessful! I will have to check etsy! Never even thought to look there!
ReplyDeleteI love it! My little boy is obsessed with cars, so this is totally something he would love in his room.
ReplyDeletethese are SOOOO darling! the cars are fav (way better than the flowers!) yum!
ReplyDeletewww.NorthernCottage.net
This is adorable! What a cute idea!
ReplyDeleteThis are so cute! Great job!
ReplyDeletewhat a great idea. i love it xxx
ReplyDeleteThis is so cute! My son would love this in his room!
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful idea! My son would LOVE this in his room!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea for a boys room!
ReplyDeleteYou should join me for handmade 52 http://raisingoranges.blogspot.com/2012/02/handmade-52-5.html
OH I LOVE this! I'm running upstairs how to find my husband's old cars & a frame. My son is OBSESSED with the Cars movies and ALL other cars, so this will be perfect! What a great idea!
ReplyDeleteI'm stopping by after seeing Kim's from Today's Creative's FB post for this! THANKS KIM!
This is such a DARLING idea!
ReplyDeleteLove these so much - we have dozens of cars from my husband's, his dad's and my dad's childhood - what a fun gift to give them this Father's Day - and maybe keep a couple for our son's room, too!
ReplyDeleteThis is the cutest idea! Those cute cars that got loved to death...so fun to display! Thanks so much for joining us on "Strut Your Stuff Saturday." We loved having you and hope to see you back next Saturday with more fun ideas! -The Sisters
ReplyDeleteGREAT IDEA AND WELL EXECUTED!
ReplyDeleteso cute, i would love to feature
your project, if that would be ok with you please let me know,
lauren
I love this idea, so cute and so very you! (And I love little ninja too!)
ReplyDeleteNot sure if my other comment went through but this is the PERFECT idea to display my sons old favorite cars that I can't bear to get rid of. It is so cool!
ReplyDeleteIs the silicone you used a type of glue?
I'm now following you on Pinterest-- love your site!
Hey there! I didn't see your other comment so I will reply to this one. :)
DeleteThe silicone is the stuff that comes in a long skinny tube and is used with a caulking gun. It's kinda like glue. Really gooey at first and then hardens.
Thanks for visiting and good luck with your project!