butterfly artful canvas Click image to enlarge Designer: Kendra McCracken www.kendramccracken.blogspot.com I am always in awe of the different ways I see other people use the various art mediums available to add texture to their art. When artists offer tutorials in books or on blogs, they always make the end result look effortless and I have to confess, I'm usually still too intimidated to try the techniques myself. But as one who has only one rule when I teach scrapbook classes, I decided it was time to follow my own advice and finally create an altered artist's canvas. The rule for any class I teach is simple. There is no stressing allowed! Difficulty rating
Instructions (Print version)  The base of this project is an 8" x 10" artist canvas. I used Light Modeling Paste as both an adhesive and a means of adding texture to the canvas. Modeling Paste can be found in craft and hobby stores in the section where you find artist brushes, paints, and canvases. There are a variety of ways to apply Modeling Paste including using special artist's spatulas, a credit card, or my tool of choice, an old butter knife!
Using the All-A-Flutter Squeeze Punch, punch 16 butterflies from various patterned papers. I used scraps from my scrap bucket.
When the modeling paste was dry, I quickly and randomly sponged stamping ink over the surface to finish the project off with an aged look. And this is the point where I began to stress because I had "ruined" my project! The ink quickly absorbed into the Modeling Paste and did not blend evenly. Hoping to salvage my project, I brushed a layer of Distress Crackle Paint over the surface. I did not apply this evenly nor did I cover the entire surface. The ink was still visible in some areas.
I finished off the project by layering some muslin scraps, an small crocheted doily, and some beads, buttons, and more punched shapes. The final step was covering the outer edges of the canvas with a strip of fabric.
So now you know, this was my first attempt at creating an altered canvas. The result of a few very easy steps, a little trial and error, and even a mistake is an altered canvas with some fun color and a lot of nice texture that I can proudly hang on my wall in my craft room. Your Summer School assignment is to gather together your supplies and create an altered your canvas yourself with the attitude that you will not stress!
supplies: 01-004429 Limited Edition : All-A-Flutter – Large http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/tools/t_squeezeallaflutterlarge.aspx Other: 8" x 10" artist's canvas, Modeling Paste, patterned paper scraps, buttons, beads, fabrics, and various other embellishments stamping ink for distressing Crackle Paint |
