The Old Rugged Cross String Art Craft

This simple art piece is a great project to do together with your kids. Inexpensive supplies make a strong statement in your home when put together this way, during the creation and gracing the walls as well.  There were lessons in the creating as we went along, and a reminder of our faith hanging on the wall that all hands had a part in. This turned out to be a very special art piece for us. I have seen string art with wood, nails, and yarn, but I wanted something a little more kid friendly and use common supplies that are on hand in our craft cabinet. I chose the rough sisal twine because I wanted my finished product to be a rustic, rugged cross. Try making one with your children, adding in a bit of devotions and even prayer as you craft this cross string art piece.

 Old Rugged Cross String Art Craft

Supplies Needed:

• 8 x 10 Canvas frame
• Twine or sisal string
• 8 clear tacks
• Red grosgrain ribon
• Burlap ribbon
• Hot glue gun/sticks

Directions:

Measure and mark 2 1/2″ from the  corners on the top and bottom of your canvas frame.

Measure and mark 2 1/2″ down from the corner on each side, and 4″ up from bottom.

Press a clear tack all the way into the wood frame of your canvas at each of your marks.

To begin stringing, hot glue the end of the string to the back of the frame near the bottom left tack. Allow to cool and harden completely.

Run string from behind the bottom left tack across the canvas to the top right tack.

Then run the string from across to the top left tack and across the canvas to the bottom right.

Continue this repeatedly to create an X until the tacks are pretty much covered in the string. Use your fingers to spread and smooth the string a bit until it looks good to you.

Hot glue the end of the string to the back of your canvas

Now for the other piece of the cross you are going to do the same thing, but across horizontally. String from the bottom left tack across the canvas to the top right tack, around the bottom right, and across to top left. Repeat until tacks are full.

Cut a 4″ length of ribbon, fold the ends over each other to create a “V”, secure with hot glue.

Glue heart to the  center of your Cross forming it into a heart shape.

Use scissors to trim excessive string from your twine to clean up your cross a bit.

Hot glue a length of burlap ribbon to the back center of frame for a hanger.

I really love the simplicity of the color, but the impact this piece makes.