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Easy Mr. Claus

HOLIDAYS

Hands down my favorite christmas project.  That is what this post is all about.

But let me start at the beginning.

Our mantle got a simple sprucing.  We went for classic decor this year…nothing cluttered…and we wanted any potential buyers who came to see the house to be impressed with the house…and not distracted by the massive amounts of christmas decor.  So when it came to our mantle we simply hung our stockings and threw a bit of faux greenery on the mantle top.  Then we stuck silver ornaments in and around the branches.  Two candlesticks looked classic and simple enough…but then we were stuck.  What to put in the middle?

At first, I wanted to create a knock off of the Pottery Barn NOEL sign.  But then I saw 1.2 million people online make the same one…and probably better than what I could make….and cheaper than I could make it.  So it made me question my decision.

Right between my thoughts of “Is there any other christmas word that I could substitute for Noel that would be cool?” and “Dang them wicked awesome crafty bloggers”, I found a picture a la Pottery Barn Christmas catalog of yore that boasted a lovely canvas of Dear ole St. Nick himself.

It really got my wheels turning.  I loved the simple portrait…and I adored the fact that I could use this as a future playroom decor item come Christmas time in future years.  I also liked the simple white and silver finish.  But the Pottery Barn was glittered…and I wasn’t thrilled about thinking of glittering an entire canvas.  And that was another thing…I didn’t have a canvas.  I just had a big piece of plywood.

Then I started brainstorming…how the heck am I gonna turn a bitty picture I could find online of Mr. Claus into a big piece of art?  I remembered my middle school art teacher’s enlarging method.  It is as easy as drawing a grid over the photo like this:

Then you draw the same grid (just bigger) on your canvas (or in this case my plywood painted with a coat of white semi-gloss paint).  Sure, it took a little math but I figured out that I could convert each little 1 inch box to 3.75 inches on our 2 foot square of wood.  After I did the lines, it was as simple as copying each box exactly the same.

I sketched it in pencil and did each box till my santa was complete.

Then I used some silver paint pens to fill in the Kris Kringle.  After it was all dried, I just took the pencil eraser and removed the grid lines.

Now for the finished product…

Doesn’t he look so jolly on our mantle?

And still simple and classic, right?

 

I love how it finishes off the mantle…plus, it is a handpainted piece of art that adds some charm and I know will be a beloved christmas decor item for many many years.  And it cost me NOTHING.  Not bad for free, huh?

So that’s my favorite project of Christmas 2010.  What do you think?  Do you love the Santa or do you think I was wrong to veer away from Noel?  Anyone else remember the grid-method?  Or are you one of those lucky people that have a projector?  Or maybe you are just thrilled at the fact that you could do a handpainted piece without actually owning a paintbrush?

Stay tuned…there are three more days of ABP holiday crafts and home decor!  It’ll get you in the ho-ho-holiday mood 🙂

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  4. I’m really impressed by that. Could you make me one? I remember having to do the grid method in a college summer arts class. It was of a man riding a horse. I am so not a drawing person, so even with the grid it came out looking all funny.

    Nice job Katie…

  6. WOW – your version looks JUST like the PB version! I had to scroll back up after I saw your finished version to make sure I didnt read something wrong….sweet! happy holidays 🙂

    P.S…Loving your blog

  8. Errr, what were you saying about “Dang those wicked awesome crafty bloggers?” This is amazing! I’ve never used the grid method, and the fact that you hand drew that (granted, with a guide of what you wanted – but still), I am uberly impressed. It’s my favorite part of the Bower Christmas so far – even overtaking the ball post this morning.

  9. Oh my gosh! That looks so cool! If I tried to do that, it would probably look like Stewie on Family Guy with a Santa Hat! (I am so NOT an artist) 🙂

  10. Awesome job Katie!!! I love it!

    So, my question is: How in the world do you have time to do all of your crafty work, like building a bed, making ornaments, drawing Santa, etc with a little one under 1?? I have a six month old and hardly able to get laundry done!

  11. I love how it turned out! I never would have thought that a Sharpie could look so good. And I do remember the grid method. I have done a few paintings/drawings in the past and that was the method I used. So easy 🙂

  15. Well Brooke…it’s called sleep deprivation…and lots of clothes so that it takes three months to run out of clean underwear 🙂
    Seriously though…once he goes down for a nap, I scurry around like a mouse after cheese.
    xo – kb

  19. For me, this is seriously the BEST thing you’ve ever done, craft-wise. I am in awe. Like, have to pick up my jaw from the ground, in awe. Amazing work, Katie!!

  25. Um. This is pretty darn amazing. I’m sure you would have pulled off an awesome NOEL – but this is way more impressive and I love the idea of using it in kid area Christmas decor in the future. Thanks for being brilliant!

  31. Hi Katie, I love your blog. I’m currently renting but am looking forward to moving into my new house which is under construction as we speak – I’m so looking forward to being in my own place and painting and decorating things exactly how I want. I’ve really loved your blog this year and have been inspired by the things that you achieve, particularly with a little munchkin. I also had a baby this year (Thomas, born in February) so I’ve enjoyed yours and Younghouselove’s baby adventures. I just wanted to wish you a merry Xmas and New Year and thank you for your great blog. I am writing to all my favourite blogs to let them know how much I appreciate them. I look forward to hearing the news of your new house and look forward to my own. All the best, Suzanne (from Australia)

  32. Katie! I love this project! (Sorry for yelling). The grid method certainly brings me back to my first art class in college. Our teacher actually cut an image into tiny squares and then gave one to each student in the class. We had to create that one square and then put all of our drawings together to create the image. It was “interesting” to say the least. Anyway, that was totally off topic. I think this is a great way to remind people that it’s very easy to create your own custom artwork. Just a little patience and a paint pen!

  33. It looks great and indeed very classic. My favorite is still your “Yonder Star” from last year’s mantle. It just speaks(quietly) more to me about the Christian meaning of Christmas. But this looks great too. You have some serious talent, grid-maker girl:) Merry Christmas! Love seeing your new posts each day.

  35. Holy Christmas, Batman! Katie, your crafty skills rock, seriously. I’ve been reading you for awhile. Your posts usually have me rolling on the floor. And then you toss in a mommy post that tugs at my heart.

    I have teens and I am back in college, so sadly, no more time for me to indulge in crafting. I live vicariously through you. Thanks for sharing your talents!

  38. Beyond AWESOME. The Noel is overdone but this is great! I need to show this to my husband so he can see that less can be more with Xmas!!

  39. Okay, that is AMAZING! Though I think you need to change the title of this post…maybe it’s easy for you! You’re so inspiring! Nicely done 🙂

  43. I’ve been lurking for awhile and decided I should probably comment sooner or later.

    First off, I love reading your blog! You have a very humorous way of writing that really makes me smile.

    I totally remember the grid method & use it quite often. Recently, I recreated a Roy Lichenstein piece of art in my dining room as a huge mural. Everyone thinks I’m so artistic but by using the grid method, anyone can be an artist 🙂 Your Santa looks amazing!

    I meant to comment on yesterday’s post too. I once found a sea urchin on the shores of Maine that still had the green spiky things on it. The shell was completely void of any stinky urchin guts so I still think it was the best find ever!

  46. copyright issues aside, this is just lovely! Ha, seriously – looooove it and looooooove it even more that you made it yourself!

  48. Holy goodness that’s talented! I’d have to break out the overhead projector and trace like I was back in grade school!!!

  49. That is mighty impressive and adorable!! I totally forgot about that grid drawing method too! Way to think outside the box!! Merry Christmas!

  51. Blast those crafty bloggers…. no for real that is AWESOME. I think there was more than just a grid to make that successful! Did you major in art or something???

  52. Incredible. I learned that in art class, too, but if I tried this project, it would NEVER look this amazing. You are one talented chickadee.

  54. Wow! That is so awesome, Katie! I was going to say that even with the grid method my stuff always turns out wonky and lopsided, but I think it’s, like Amanda @ Out of Square’s teacher, my teacher gave one square to each person, haha.

  55. Very, very tasteful! I must have missed the grid method in Art… or maybe we didn’t even have Art? I have no idea.

    Please help me decorate the unfinished areas of my house! 🙂

  56. Wow! How do you manage to do all these projects + write a blog + take care of Will?? You’re my hero.

  57. I could never do that now, nor could I do it well in jr high. I think I would have scanned it, enlarged and enhanced it digitally in Photoshop (cleaned up the pixelization) and printed it out. But, I do know how to do that.
    Either way, it looks great!

  60. Girl to the frannnnd, give yourself some credit!! You have talent– if I tried to make something bigger AND sketch it it would not look that great! But yours is awesome

  61. ARE YOU KIDDING ME ????? Love ole St. Nick, and not to be mean or anything but I h*** (dislike) people that are sooooo talented, me I would have just bought it just because I’m not crafty. WOW, you are awesome/amazing good job.

  63. Oh, I am SO impressed! And…I’m totally stealing this idea – although I probably can’t get my act together to do it in time for Christmas this year – so I’ll have to save it for next year 🙂

  64. Okay, let me begin my admitting that I “blog-stalk” you on an almost daily basis…and I have never commented until today. I couldn’t let this post go without telling you how jealous I am… I HAVE to say that your Mr. Claus is Ahhh’mazing!! I remember the grid thing, but STILL, mine wouldn’t have turned out so well. You are so….super talented!! Your mantle is beautiful and I love your decision to add the art instead of the “NOEL”. Keep up the great work! Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family!

  65. um.. hello!!! That’s AWESOME!!! I think you’re going to be getting a call from your art teacher with a WAY TO GO!! Super impressive chicky!! love it!!

  68. Katie, this is amazing! I do remember the grid method but I don’t know if I would have thought to use it for something like this. But since you reminded me of it, now I’m itching to try it as well! Good thing I have next week off work…plenty of time for fun crafts! 🙂

  69. I love it! I’m kinda upset though, I never had an art class when I was in school! Awesome job Katie!

  70. Well now your just showing off!!!! I LOVE IT!!! Don’t think I can do it…I’ll just stick to the NOEL knock off!!!

  72. Is this for real?? Did you seriously make that? I am sitting here in awe! Turned out so fantastic… I am very impressed!!!

  79. Hey Katie. Just another blogstalker here. Thought I would stop in and say WOW. Love, love, LOVE this. I read the post twice just to make sure I didn’t miss anything. Keep up the good work. Oh, and I love your blog. Peace out.

  80. OH WOW!!
    I’m so jealous. I wish I had your skills, and patience to do something like that. I have a 1st graders handwriting and painting skills so I would probly have to resort to buying the real deal.
    It looks amazing!

  81. Think I’ll try this later. I have a cheap canvas laying around and I’ve been looking for something to do with it! Our stockings are hung on a small shelf, with nothing on the shelf part, so this will be perfect!

  83. OMG! i can’t believe you did this by hand. i’ve never heard for the grid thing but still i don’t think there’s anyway i could do that! i’m impressed, looks great!

  85. Very impressive! Impressive indeed! I can’t believe you did all of that work. It looks amazing. I remember the grid method too from my art class, but let me tell you that would have taken me MONTHS to do. Your family will treasure it for years and years!

  90. Wow, it’s awesome! Great memory of the box technique, I forgot all about it…but now I won’t! Great job.

  91. wow, I’m super impressed! You’ve got some amazing copying/drawing skills! I get your method, but still for me, yeah right! : )

  95. I love it! It looks like so expensive. This picture was exactly what your mantel needed. Your skills are amazing! I have to ask….”middle school art teacher”? Would that be your mom or did you attend an actual middle school?

  97. Katie,

    I fell in love with that Santa years ago when it was in the Pottery Barn catalog. However, I could not bring myself to pay that mutch for a Christmas decoration. I told myself I could duplicate it, since it has simple lines, but I never did. I have the perfect place for it in our house; at the top of the steps that open up into our greatroom (reverse floor plan at the beach). Seeing how easily you accomplished this project I MUST do it for next year! I just took a picture of Santa on your blog (don’t have the old catalog) so I can do so. So, thanks so,so much for sharing your Mr. Claus!!! And, it DOES look wonderful on your mantel! Great job!!

    Anne

  99. are those pottery barn stockings? I have a 5 week old baby named Will and we have the same ones hanging on our mantle!

    Every time I look at I think, “first comes the stocking of little Will…” and it makes me so happy.

  100. They sure are Julia! We actually ordered them last year before we knew whether Will was a boy or girl. So basically if we ever have a girl, her name is already decided 🙂
    xo – kb

  101. FABULOUS! I LOVE IT!!!!!

    Question:

    Did you use different shades/different brands of the silver paint pens? About how many did you end up using?

    Thanks!

  102. I am always impressed by what you are able to accomplish but this one is over the top for me! you are sooooooo talented. glad that grid thing works for you. congrats on the house and wishing you and yours a very merry holiday season with many more blessings to come for you all! love reading your blog katie!!!

  103. That really turned out GREAT! Like so many other commenters, no WAY I could have done any of those grids free hand. I love the simple classic lines, and you cannot beat the price!
    Congrats!

  104. I used two of the Krylon paint pens in silver. I held up all three…which were the same color but one was a different brand…but only two were actually used. Also…it definitely took two…I tried to get away with only one…but then had to dig out the second paint pen later.
    xo – kb

  107. Katie this is FABULOUS!!! You are great at anything you try your hand at, and you have such great ideas.

    Merry Christmas!!!

  109. Girl – your posts today were spot on. I love the trees and the Santa. I am a teacher and use the grid and (thankfully) the overhead methods all the time. Love them. Awesome stuff over there at the Bower household. Enjoy your holiday!

  111. Hi Katie,

    I read your blog daily and just love it! I think that you are hilarious (in a good way!) 🙂
    Anyways, would ever think about making more of those Santas and selling them on-line? I LOVE! it, and would buy one for sure! Let me know if you do!

    Thanks!
    Jessica

  112. ABSOLUTELY love this!!! So classy, simple and cheerful. I’m going to have to attempt this when I have a second… not so sure it will come out as nice! Love your blog girl!

  114. Katie – This is so amazing! I love that you make it seem so simple! Though I’m pretty sure that if all I had was a piece of plywood and some paint pens, my St. Nick would, sadly, look nothing like yours. I never was able to figure out that grid system in middle school… Boo.

    Amanda

  116. Love it. So much that I really want to copy you. I couldn’t stomach paying so much for the original last year from Pottery Barn. But I am running into some snags…
    1. obtaining the original picture
    2. Getting the right markers. I went to Michael’s and they have oil based sharpies and other kinds as well. I am looking to do barn red but I want the glitter effect. Do you have any suggestions for me?? I want to do it on canvas (I think?)
    3. Great website and will check back again.

    Thank you
    Sonia

  117. My original picture was really small…I just blew it up on my printer. So whatever picture you want to use, simply blow it up.
    The markers are actually paint pens…and we scored them at Hobby Lobby. Maybe look in the paint aisle? Also, I would suggest the good ole fashioned second grade trick of paint, let dry, apply elmer’s, sprinkle glitter (I would use glitter dust vs. standard glitter), shake off excess, let dry, use paint brush to clean up edges.
    Good luck Sonia!
    xo- kb

  118. Wow. Great advice and I will take it. Thank you so much. I will try to upload a picture of my final master piece in a few weeks. Thank you again!
    Sonia

  121. I absolutely LOVE this. I’m normally pants at drawing but gave it a go in pencil and am really really chuffed with myself about it. Thank you so so much for showing us how to do it in a managable way 😀

  123. This is beautiful! I’m so glad you gave some instructions on how to do this. I’m totally gonna make one of these for my mantel! 🙂

  124. I LOVE this! Great job! My usual method of transferring something from paper onto wood or another medium is to rub pencil all over the back, then use your pencil to trace over all the lines on the front. The pencil graphite on the back will transfer to your wood and VOILA – easy peasy. But considering how big this is, that method might have taken a whole pencil’s worth of graphite. They do sell graphite paper at crafts stores, so I think I would have run out and grabbed some of that, although I’ve never used it before. I heard it works great though!

  126. Hey Katie – I’m a new fan of your blog 🙂 this santa is awesome!!! I would have NEVER thought of doing that – impressive! I really wanted to make one of my own but I completely lack any drawing skills, so thought I might be able to come up with a way to blow up the image without using an overhead projector or the grid method. I took the picture that you used, made it 8″x 8″ on Microsoft Word, and then divided it into 16 equal squares (each 2″x 2″) using text boxes. Then I converted it into an image file and repeatedly cropped and saved copies of the image until I had separate images for each little square. Then I put those each on their own page in Word, made them each 6″x6″, and put numbers on them so I wouldn’t get confused of which one was which. I printed and cut all those 6×6 squares out, and laid them out to be the full santa image, 24″x 24″. Now the easy part – I just laid each paper square on top of my painted white plywood, and traced the outlines of the image with a pen, pressing hard enough so that a slight indent was made in the wood. The indent is enough to show you the exact lines of where to color in! I know that’s a really long explanation, but I’m just thrilled that I was able to do your awesome project without having any art skills whatsoever – and it turned out great!! I saw a lot of comments on the post from people who also worry about not being able to draw it, so I thought maybe I’d suggest to send you the PDF file I created from my word document in case you wanted to pass it along. All anyone would have to do is print that out, cut out the 6×6 squares, and trace it on the wood 🙂 Let me know if you would like me to do so – I just hope even more people can benefit from your genius project!!

  127. Hey Morgan – that’s awesome! I’m so glad it worked! How bout you just comment back with your email address and that way your new best buds can get the pdf from you directly…that way they can also praise your awesomeness and generousity directly too 🙂
    xo – kb

  128. Oooooh may I please beg and plead for Morgan’s PDF file? I’d like to make 3 of them and it would certainly shave off oodles of time. I LOVE this Santa so much! Thanks to you both!

  129. Katie,
    I stumbled on this picture and then your blog from pinterest. I LOVE the santa and made one for myself this weekend….TOTALLY rocks! Thanks for the reminder of the grid and how easy it can be to use.

  130. Hi! I am looking for the original Santa picture and I don’t know if I am missing something or what but I can’t find it! Can you post a link or tell me where to find it? This is a GREAT Christmas craft! 🙂

  134. LOVE THIS!!!! im so doing this too (for next year obviously). hope that girl puts her email addy up. merry (late) christmas! 🙂

  135. Could you make another one and sell it to me for next Christmas? This is beautiful!!!! Such a classic piece!!

  136. I have no drawing skills but love this!! I would be very appreciative of the pdf as well.

    Thanks

  137. love the Santa didnt think I would until I scanned back up!Pays to take a chance and to look back at whats discussed

  139. I am reading over these posts and seeing that some people are wondering how to enlarge the print or are waiting on the pdf. If you go into Pinterest and in your search bar enter the word “PosteRazor” this will give you a program (that as long as you have a printer attached to your computer) that will allow you to enlarge a picture to any size you want. Then you would just match each piece up on your board and trace out. Then paint your done..I hope you have as much fun with it as I have,enjoy..

  144. Morgan,

    What an INGENIOUS solution!!!!! I would LOVE to have a copy of that! I feel awkward asking for it without offering something for it. I’d be willing to pay you for that. If you can, please call or text me at 480-200-7925. I would GREATLY appreciate it!

    Thank You So VERY much!

    Kristina

  148. Kristina-

    Did you ever get a copy of the PDF? I created a jpg of the image, thru Photoshop, that I would be happy to share with you… just email me. dbbydk at hotmail dot com.

    Debby

  149. I absolutely love the Santa. My son is an artist BONUS! I didn’t see this till after Christmas 2012 (POODEEDOO) but we went out today to get the supplies i.e… a canvas and silver sharpies… now for the math! YIKES!
    Thank you for sharing!

  150. Parabéns, maravilhoso trabalho.Por gentileza, você utiliza dois tons de prata?grata . Tais

  152. Here I sit after Easter is over making the cutest St. Nick! Thank you so much for sharing! I am going to place it behind an old window frame and add some Christmas lights, I think, this coming seasonal extravaganza.

  153. I loved your Santa grid. I do remember that method and now luckily I have a projector :0)
    But I must comment on your tree as well. It is stunning! Wanna come decorate my tree like that ?

  156. Wow – I purchased this glitter canvas print a couple years ago at a Salvation Army for only $4. It is a Xmas favorite of mine. Do you remember what the Pottery Barn price was?

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