Japanese Cherry Blossom vinyl wall art

A while back we went on a shopping excursion to Ikea. I'm not a huge fan of Ikea; their products tend to be really cheap or really expensive. If you buy cheap, well, it looks and feels cheap. But if you can shell out the money for the good stuff, it's worth it. Yes, you get what you pay for. This gentleman's thoughts on Ikea pretty much sums it up. That said, I do enjoy their showroom floor; they offer great decorating tips. But when you start adding everything up, the price tag is staggering. So, I usually make my way to the bottom floor. That's where the deals are. Great prices in tea lights, candle holders, various kitchen utensils, picture frames, great things like that. Which is where I found these vinyl wall clings. 
We live in an apartment, and in typical apartment style, the walls are very white. Stark white. Insane asylum white! Unfortunately, painting isn't an option. Because the wall is blindingly white, anything on the walls really stand out. That's why I think these clings will look so cute! They're a light gray, so the branches will stand out, but not over-power the wall.

Wall before cleaning

Wall after cleaning

A real cherry blossom for inspiration

Vinyl cherry blossom as a guide

I searched the internet to get an idea for how cherry blossoms grow and look like. The above two pictures are the best I could find to use as an inspiration and a guide. 

Supplies you'll need.

Cut out the branches, flowers, and birds.

Close up details.

Final decision for layout.

Sloooowly coming together.

Done!

Humming bird

I've never done a project like this before, and I'm happy with the results. Pretty decent for my first time. Thankfully the adhesive isn't so tacky that it will damage the walls in our apartment. 

1. Clean your wall or surface. Just a little soapy water is fine. You want to be sure that your surface is smooth, dry and free of dust and dirt. 
2. While the wall was drying, I cut out all the pieces.
3. Plan your layout. Arrange your vinyl on your surface using masking tape (top edge only), do not remove the white backing until you are happy with your layout. This makes it easier to fix and rearrange your design. Note: The vinyl is removable, but cannot be repositioned or reused.
4. Once you're content with your design, it's time to apply the vinyl (I started from the bottom left corner and worked my way up). Carefully peel the white backing away from the transfer tape. As you lower the vinyl to your surface, carefully move your hand across the vinyl, starting at the top center and working your way out to the edges and bottom. With your scrapper, finish the application by rubbing over the vinyl to secure it to your surface and remove any air bubbles. Note: When I took the picture, I did not have an actual scrapper until my husband brought one home from work. Some websites state you can use a credit card, I would advise against this. The thin edge can cut and scrape in to the paint. Not to mention if you push too hard and break the card. A a plastic scrapper worked best.

• Vinyl can be applied to walls, wood, glass, concrete, metal, or any other smooth, dry surface. 
• As I was working my way from bottom to top, the branches and flowers didn't go back on in the exact same spot, this is why it's best to work bottom to top. You have more room to make adjustments.
• Sometimes the masking tape can be very sticky. Make sure no residue gets left on the wall and that you don't rip your vinyl (this happened twice before I realized I should be a bit more careful).