Mustang Pony Wall Art

In this instructable, I will show you how to make a Mustang Pony cutout to hang on your wall.

You will need:

Jigsaw

Jigsaw Scrollsaw Blade

Cabinet Grade Plywood

Paper

Printer

Pencil or pen

Minwax Conditioner

Minwax Stain ( your choice)

Minwax Clear Sealer

D ring hangers (2)

3/8" long screws

Step 1: We Need a Picture

Download a picture from the Internet, be sure to get at least a 600 x 400 resolution or better.

Step 2: Open Your Picture in Photoshop

Open the picture in your favorite Photo program, I am using Paint shop pro. Now cropped the picture to get just what you want.

Step 3: Now Open Inkscape

Now open Inkscape, it's a free open source program.

We will import the picture and then click on Trace Bitmap.

Check the box Edge detection, click update and ok.

Now drag the original picture out of the way and delete it.

Now you have a outline of the picture.

Let's lock the aspect ratio, and change the size of your project.

Note in this example I have a 24", but later I change it to 38".

Move your picture into the rectangle and click print, keep moving until you get the whole thing printed.

Remember the margins

Step 4: Put the Pieces Together

Now that you have all the pictures printed, time to put the puzzle together. I would trim the margins off to help line the pieces together. Taped them together.

Step 5: Attached the Pattern to Material

Attached your printed pattern to either your work piece or a piece of hard board. I attached mine to a piece of hardboard, with craft spray glue. Then i use a jigsaw to cut it out. Then I used my hardwood pattern to trace a outline onto my Plywood, the plywood I am using is Cabinet Grade Pine, I recommend using a Cabinet Grade Plywood for this project.

Step 6: Cutout Your Piece With Jigsaw

I used a Jigsaw with a scrollsaw blade to cut mine out. Take your time, let the blade do the work. If blade is getting hot, stop and let it cool down. You can either cut right on the line or above the line.

IF YOU USE THE RIGHT BLADE AND TAKE YOUR TIME, IT WILL PROVIDE A BETTER CUT

Step 7: SAND THE PROJECT

Sand the project with at least 220 Sandpaper, using a electric sander and you will have to do some areas by hand

Step 8: Apply Wood Conditioner and Stain

Wipe off any dust , and apply a coat of Minwax wood conditioner. Leave the wood conditioner on for a few minutes, read the recommened directions. Then apply your stain accordly , I use Minwax Gunstock stain, I use 2 coats, wiping off in between coats.

The more coats you put on will give a darker finish.

NOW ALLOW THE STAIN TO DRY OVERNIGHT

Step 9: Clear Coat

After allowing the stain to dry at least 24 hours, now we can apply the Clear Finish. I use Minwax Clear Polyurethane.

YOU WILL ALSO NEED TO ALLOW IT TO DRY OVERNIGHT

Step 10: Hardware Time

Once your clear has dried, now flip your work piece over and attached your hardware for hanging.

I use D ring hangers with 3/8" long screws.

Attached the D ring hangers on 16" centers, measure from the center over 8" both left and right. About 9" to 9 1/2" form bottom.

Step 11: Now Enjoy Your Project

Now is the best part, after all your hard work, you get to see it hanging up in your room.

Hope you have enjoyed this project as much as I have. I am a Mustang fan, and I have been wanting to do this project for awhile. Thanks for checking out my Instructable, hope it encourages somebody to make something. You can check out the video on youtube: https://youtu.be/0ifTDDTEi_o