Tenney’s Stage: DIY Posters

Today I will share with you poster printables for your DIY Tenney Grant Stage as inspired by American Girl.  My daughters and I are very much in love with the Tenney Grant character.  We love her stage as well, but this momma did not love the price tag.  Plus, it was another big AG item.  With our DIY version I wanted to make sure this stage could be used for more than just Tenney, because let’s face it…we don’t have room for EVERYTHING American Girl that we love.  And yes, even though it is a DIY version and the cost is significantly less, you are still spending money on the supplies.  I knew I did not want a permanent “Tenney” sign on the backdrop.  When I saw that my guest blogger, Pearl, had used a chalkboard for the center back display I thought it was brilliant.  As I was gluing down the brick patterned paper to the foamboard I overheard my daughters “discussing” who was going to write out the Tenney sign on the chalkboard.  I knew I had to come up with a solution and fast!  I found another option to use besides a chalkboard….  In case you missed Pearls post see here: http://brandyshappyhome.com/diy-tenneys-stage-2/

Below are American Girl’s pictured images on Tenney’s Stage.  TENNY is printed largely on the back center..unless you cover this with paper it would be hard to use for anything else other than a stage for Tenney.  I LOVE how my guest blogger ,Pearl, used stencils to give the brick a painted look.  But I have to be honest, I tried to stencil and failed epically.  God was keeping me humble!  Major props to Pearl for doing such a fabulous job!  I opted out and created posters.

I knew I had to come up with a way to attach the posters to the wall so that they could be removed and switched out.  You can use poster putty, but over time the putty will cause the paper to tear…either the poster and/or the brick cardstock.  I decided to use thin squares of galvanized tin.  I have used galvanized tin for all sorts of doll projects!  I can attach my posters to the tin with poster putty or magnets!  Plus, the trifold will lay completely flat.  For the side posters I used a 4 inch square; these squares were found at Michael’s.  These squares are often used for DIY coasters.  You can also find small galvanized squares at Michaels in endcaps on strings for DIY ornaments.  The larger square is 8 inches and was purchased here:  https://www.etsy.com/listing/484929906/galvanized-steel-sheet-05mm-thick-2  If you every need a custom size this shop offers custom sizing: https://www.etsy.com/shop/KestrelSteelSupplies .

*Tip* before gluing tin I always take a fine grade sandpaper and gently sand the edges and corners.  These pieces did not come sharp, but I’m just cautious.

Make sure your paper is well glued to the foamboard.  I used Aleene’s Glass and Bead Glue to glue the tin to the paper.  You can use any epoxy type glue.  Using  removable posters allows for unlimited imaginative ways to turn this stage into other uses:  create stain glass pictures for a church, create play posters for a school auditorium, or create alphabet posters for a classroom scene.

You can find your Chalkboard Tenney Grant Concert Poster here: Tenney’s Chalkboard Stage Sign Printable

In AG’s version there was a guitar poster on the left and a bird painting on the right.  I chose a multicolored guitar poster and a sign for The Bluebird Café.

You can get your DIY Tenney Stage Posters Printable here: Tenney’s Stage Posters

Another great option is using the background to cluster smaller posters.  These posters were used in my DIY Tenney’s Chicken Truck Series.  You can find these posters here: http://brandyshappyhome.com/tenneys-tennesse-hot-chicken-truck/

You can also use black construction paper and write on it with chalk…diy chalkboard.  And since the paper can be removed, each kiddo can write what they want…NO ARGUING!  Whew!

These are DIY magnets.  I used sticky gems and simply stuck them on 1/2 inch wide magnets.  Both supplies can be found at Michaels.

And if posters or paint are not your thing…I think the stage backdrop looks great without a thing!

Craft on!