Bird Canvas Shadow Box Tutorial

Today I am teaching my local art group how to make a bird themed canvas shadow box.  I thought it would be fun to share the tutorial with you and if you are having a lazy Saturday, maybe you can join in and make your own.  If so, leave me a comment and I would love to share it here.

I am the worlds worst at remembering to do a step out, but actually remembered to get photos between the stages for you this time.  I ruined a beautiful canvas I had made and ripped it apart to reuse for this project, hence the random design on image one.  If you have any questions, let me know.

1.  Use stencil paste to create some texture or glue paper to canvas front and sides.
2. Tie knots around two brads and insert in cardboard cut slightly smaller than your canvas.
3.  Cover cardboard backing with sticky back canvas or scrapbook paper.
4.  Using sharp scissors cut your canvas.

5.  Test your sections to make sure they roll back nicely.
6.  Stamp text behind each section, use a scrap paper to mask each section, rotating the direction as you go (see 7).
8.  Spray or paint your canvas as desired.

9.  Stamp patterns onto canvas if desired.
10.  Using a paintbrush handle, roll sections and add hot glue under very carefully.
11.  Tear thin strips of text and adhere to the wood inside of your canvas.
12.  Attach wire inside canvas with hot glue.  Use rolled text paper to fill in any gaps for support.  Finally use hot glue to adhere your elements as desired.

My daughter found this egg in our yard and gave it to me.  So sweet, she knows her mama well!  I thought it would be a great accent to my DIY Nest.

I used an old stash of feathers I found at our first place in Texas and some Prima flowers for embellishment.

This particular bird is from The Graphics Fairy.  I printed her onto cardstock, then adhered her to thin greyboard with Mod Podge and carefully cut her out.   This way I won't have to worry about her getting bent easily.  The bundle of flowers is discretely glued inside of one of the rolls.

 Here you can see how the rolled pages blend in with the stamped canvas.  I rather like the combo and it was very helpful with attaching the wire.

I carefully glued the strings in place so they will stay curved.

Here you can see the partial stamping and texture paste detail.  In the end I am happy with my sample project, but of course have thought of many other ideas for this type of project.  Next time I will glue a canvas wrapped board to the back instead of adhering canvas to cardboard.  I think the price will be the same and will make it much easier.  I hope you are inspired to give this project a go.

I'm sharing with these amazing challenges:

Simon Says Stamp: Summer Garden

Creative Artiste: Anything Goes

A Vintage Journey: Texture or Embossing Paste

Rhedd's Creative Spirit: Anything Goes

Mixed Media Monthly Challenge: 2nd Anniversary (I chose challenge #23, Dimension)

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