Jun 11, 2016

Bird Canvas Shadow Box Tutorial

canvas 1

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.

tutorial 1

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.

tutorial 2

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.

tutorial 3

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.

canvas 2

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.

canvas 5

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.

canvas 6

 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.

canvas 8

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

canvas 8

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.

canvas 9

I'm sharing with these amazing challenges:
Mixed Media Monthly Challenge: 2nd Anniversary (I chose challenge #23, Dimension)

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

39 comments:

brenda said...

A super creation and colours Aurumn, sorry it's a bit short and sweet have tried to offer a bit of an apology on my blog.

Hope you have a lovely weekend.

B x

Pamellia said...

Wow, gorgeous Autumn!! Your tutorial is fabulous, I loved watching how you put this together!! Love that little newspaper nest with the hatched egg in it! hugs :)

Marjan said...

Wonderful project! So much to see and so detailde, I LOVE it! Your tutorial is a very good one, all the steps explained. Ans yes.. the birds nest with the egg is so sweet!

Lisa said...

This is absolutely stunning, Autumn!! And what a fabulous tutorial, too!! I am horrible about taking pictures as I go...I never really know what I'm going to do ahead of time, so it's hard to snap pics!! I love the texture and the design!! The newspaper next is fabulous!! Have a great weekend!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Petra Swart said...

Oh, WOW, absolutely amazing, Autumn and thank you so much for showing how you made it!!!! Don't think I'm artistic enough to try anything of the sort, but I have to say you make it look so easy, I might just give it a try !!!! Would have loved to be part of your group!!!!! - with you as a teacher surely nothing can go wrong!!!!!
Have a great weekend!!!!!
Hugz

Mrs.B said...

A wonderful canvas Autumn and a great tutorial, love the little nest with it's egg.
Avril xx

froebelsternchen said...

Just AMAZING and a great Workshop too! Thank you for sharing !
Happy weekend!
oxo Susi

Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith said...

Gorgeous project! Very clear instructions - thanks for that! I would have felt reluctant to cut the canvas, but it was so worth it!

Words and Pictures said...

Such clever ideas and techniques here, and they all go together to create a beautiful springtime make. Love those rolled scrolls framing the arch, and thank you for the step-out photos - I always love to see the creative process at work...
Alison x

Unknown said...

Ahhh - WONDERFUL Autumn. I have always wanted to try doing this to a canvas but never have. Your creation is just MARVELOUSLY FUN and SUPER LOVELY! Xj.

kiwimeskreations said...

What a fabulous project Autumn- I trust your class went well.
Blessings
Maxine

Donna Ellis said...

You are so incredibly,addictively, amazingly imaginative! Autumn, I always enjoy inspecting thoroughly everything you make, to learn at least one new technique. Maybe I am a groupie? LOL seriously, such a wonderful canvas! Hugs, de

Mona Pendleton said...

Wonderful 3D project Autumn! Love all the texture, flowers and fancy bird!

Juliz Design Post said...

What an amazing project Autumn, your birds nest is adorable with the little egg, a great find by your daughter.
Julie x

Pawsitively Creative said...

This is fun! How cool is it that you are able to teach your art and also know people to have an art group! Say what!?! That is awesome sauce! Your canvas is fantabulous and beautiful! I thoroughly enjoy the wire mesh and the little detail of the egg your daughter found. So Wowzers and stunning! Bravo! Hugz to you muffin! ~Niki

Linda Manning Findley said...

Great, just awesome ... love the curled paper/canvas and very lucky to have a real bird egg shell ...

Marty F said...

I love this, Autumn, and thank you for the great tutorial! Lots of awesome elements in this one design and lots in inspiration. Love how your nest turned out and that bird is so cool!

Julia Aston said...

My goodness Autumn - how cool is this rolled back canvas with the wire background - beautiful mix of flowers and the text banner is the cutest! thanks for joining us in the AVJ Texture challenge! Julia xx

Jinny Newlin said...

Girl, you're pure genius! Wow! Such a great project!

crafty-stamper said...

WOW stunning canvas love it all and brillint little nest the whole thing is so inspired-genius
Carol x

My Scrap Pages and Cards said...

This is stunning, so much work gone into it.
thanks for joining our challenge over at
http://creativeartistemixedmedia.blogspot.com.au/
Debbie DT

A Pink said...

Wow! What a superb piece of crafting . I'm short of time right now so I will be surely popping back to absorb all those details you have kindly shared about how you created this. Some really fabulous touches from what i see at first glance..... dang I gotta go but I will be back . xx

Paper Profusion said...

Soooo beautiful Autumn! Have book marked to return - love this one to bits!! Nicola x

Wheelie Crafty said...

Wow this is amazing, love how it is all put together
Thank you so much for entering our challenge over at Creative Artiste Mixed Media Challenge Blog, we hope to see you join in again...
Hugs Rhonda DT & Owner xxx
http://creativeartistemixedmedia.blogspot.co.uk

Creative Artiste Challenge Blog
creativeartistemixedmedia.blogspot.com

Astrid Maclean said...

Totally love what you did with this canvas Autumn, so, so clever, the bird and nest are delightful in themselves but the way you did the word, really lifts this to a whole new level, just wonderful!! Thanks so much for adding it to our challenge at A Vintage Journey

Tracey said...

Yep Genius! Wow Autumn your canvas is stunning! You are so creative....such a beautiful work of Art! As I sit in in my craft space thinking what can I use to make this now.....thank you so much for sharing the tutorial. Have a wonderful week!

Anna-Karin said...

This is an amazing project! I love how you made the shadow box, what a wonderful idea. The rolled papers add the perfect touch and the flowers, textures, colours, bird, everything is wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing with us at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge!!

Unknown said...

Ah-Mazing!! I have so many canvases that I could do like this! LOVE that you cut it and used it!! And the birds, the colors and the whole project is just wonderful!! Thank you for the inspiration! And thank you so much for playing with us at The Mixed Media Monthly Challenge's 2nd Anniversary!!

Rupa Swaminathan said...

Your canvas art is so beautiful and cheerful! I love the colors and yes, you daughter did a good thing with egg shell...not only made you happy but the bird too looks happy there!Thanks for sharing this with us at Rhedd's Creative Spirit this month. Good luck, Rupa(DT).

Beulah Bee said...

Congrats on the well-deserved Simon spotlight, terrific project!

Unknown said...

Very cool project! Thanks so much for joining us this month at the Mixed Media Monthly Challenge for our 2nd Anniversary Celebration!!

Sammy said...

This is just gorgeous Autumn. Love the colour and all the lovely details.
Thank you for entering your project at Rhedd’s Creative Spirit. Sammy

Art By Wanda said...

LOVE this, Autumn!!!! I hope it went well for your group!!!

Rika said...

Gorgeous art work!

sarascloset said...

Autumn, somehow I missed this delightful canvas along the way, but so happy to try and get caught up with you today! I see you have been drinking a lot of coffee! This is such a beautiful canvas filled with so many wonderful techniques! I love the rolls of canvas and paper! I have a little spent egg I found the other day! I am saving it for a project, and this is just the inspiration I need! Hugs to you!

sarascloset said...

And congratulations on your well deserved Spotlight at SSS for this beauty! Hugs!

Mischelle said...

WOW! Absolutely AMAZING and inspiring! LOVE all of this masterpiece!

Julia S-W said...

A really stunning piece with a wonderful variety of texture and details.Thanks for joining us at A Vintage Journey. Julia S-W

Linda Simmons said...

This is the coolest! All the great detail you put into it makes it pop!

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