DIY $4 Darth Vader Picture

I was needing an inexpensive backdrop for my son's Star Wars birthday party (it took place this morning...can't wait to show you all the FUN we had). Darth Vader is his favorite character. Lucky for me...Darth is color free and was the perfect opportunity to a twist on the amazing Mandy's Giant Picture.

I photographed my kiddo's Darth mask on my white desk. I took it into PSE and "cut" it out to place on a grey background. I sized it to 18x24 and uploaded it to Staples for an Engineer Print (so cheap...only $1.99...plus I found a discount code to take 20% off). If you decide to do something like this yourself, be sure to order an actual Engineer Print...their quality isn't as stellar as a normal print, but truly, it didn't matter to me for this project. 

I had two printed (just in case)! I trimmed the white border off. I purchased a black foam board from HobLob (with my 40% off coupon) which came to less than $2. 

I Mod Podged it. And it bubbled. So I went with the second print. This time, I allowed the Mod Podge to completely dry before going over with a top coat. It helped quite a bit. It still had that weathered look to it, but I was kind of okay with that...a little vintage Star Wars never hurt anyone. 

This was it at the party today...with my glaring flash (the party wasn't in my home, so I really didn't have much control over the background crazineness...argh). 

A project on my list is redoing little man's room into a (you guessed it) Star Wars theme room. He's tired of the "kiddie stuff" he's got going on in there now. I can't wait to have this in his room...either leaning on a shelf or maybe with some command adhesive to the wall. I like the durability of the foam core it's on...makes it easy to use and "lean" or attach to wherever we want it. 

Partying Here:
Bacon Time (Mindie@Bacon Time With the Hungry Hypo)Lovely Crafty Weekend (Rachael@Lovely Crafty Home)Project Party Weekend (Rachel@Bubbly Nature Creations)Saturday is Crafty Day (Laura@along for the ride)Saturday Nite Special (Donna@Funky Junk Interiors)Saturday Spotlight (Craft Envy)Saturday Swagger (Kim@It’s A Crafty Life)Sharing Saturday (Mia@Mama Mia’s Heart2Heart)Show and Tell Saturdays (Lorie@Be Different Act Normal)Strut Your Stuff Saturday (Six Sisters Stuff)Sweets for a Saturday (Lisa@Sweet as Sugar Cookies)Weekend Wrap Up Party (Jen@Tatertots & Jello) Creative Bloggers’ Party & Hop (SJ@Homemaker on a Dime) The DIY Project Parade (Roeshel@The DIY Show Off)K.I.S.S. = Keep It Simple Sunday (Christina@The Tattered Tag)Not “Baaad” Sundays (Lamb Around)Recipe of the Week (Corey@Family Fresh Meals)Savory Sunday (Amanda@The Sweet Details)Sew Darn Crafty Party (Karen@Sew Many Ways)Sundae Scoop (Jamielyn@i heart naptime)Sunday Linky Party (Jen@Petite Hermine)Sunday Showcase (Stephanie Lynn@Under The Table & Dreaming)Think Pink Sundays (Flamingo Toes), The Sweet Talk Shop (with Lisa)