Good morning everyone! Only two more sleeps until the spring issue launches! We have a great surprise so please mark your calendars to be right here on Friday morning!
Today Ally is back with us to share another great project. Take it away Ally...
"It’s Wednesday and I’m back to talk more about texture again today. There is nothing better than using nature as your inspiration for texture. Think of all the things you see outside that just pop out of their surroundings; thick green grasses and weeds on the road side, the texture of the inside of a glorious new bloom in your garden, even the texture of the vine growing on your fence in your backyard.
I just adore the feel of canvas. There’s something about the woven aspect that just draws me in so I thought why not combine my love of canvas and all the other glorious textures from my world that I love together into one project. So I’m going to show you how I did that today.
First I took a sheet of acrylic primed artist canvas paper which you can buy at your local art or craft shop and I printed some photos from my computer out on it. YES… I cut the primed canvas paper to an 8.5x11 size and actually ran it through my printer.
Next I cut out each photo ensuring I had plenty of bare canvas around all the sides of each photo. This allowed me to create borders and also so that I can enough canvas to wrap around the cardboard backings I created for them.
Next to add a touch more texture, I stitched around each cut out image using my sewing machine. Yup… I even put the canvas paper through my sewing machine... too cool!
Next I cut out pieces of cardboard recycled from an old cereal box to stabilize my canvas photos. I layered them to build up their thickness to create different thickness for each photo. I trimmed each corner at a 45 degree angle to ensure when I adhered the excess canvas to the back that it wouldn’t bulk up my corners on the reverse sides.
Then I went through my stash of scrappy embellishments and found all kinds of cool textured items; like flowers, cardboard die cuts, 3D brads, elegant faux pearls and all kinds of fun ribbons.
I then adhered my mini canvases to a nature vine wreath and used all the fun textured embellishments to fill in all the places in between. And this is the end result…
I got a beautiful wreath displaying the photos of my family and I to hang in my home.
Here are a few close up shots so you can see some of the fun textures I added amid my mini canvases…
I added some cool metal photo corners…
I layered cardboard die cuts with flowers and brads…
I even added a variety of silky pearl beads for a touch of shine.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my journey down the textured lane today. I hope that you’ll really look at and appreciate all the unique and beautiful textures that you have a round you and incorporate them into your crafting and your home. Have a great week!
~ Allison Cope
Clever idea Ally. Turned out beautiful.
Posted by: Claudia | March 23, 2011 at 10:42 AM
Great idea for photos! TFS
Carmen L
Posted by: Carmen Lucero | March 23, 2011 at 11:01 AM
Great project!
Posted by: Theresa P | March 23, 2011 at 11:50 AM
Now that's creative!
Posted by: Monika Wright | March 23, 2011 at 12:40 PM
Neat project - LOVE the photos on canvas!
Posted by: Cathy P in AZ | March 23, 2011 at 12:41 PM
Geez... another great idea for my folks 65th anniversary!!! I really appreciate making my life much easier!!! Thank you so much. You have wonderful ideas!!! Keep them coming Allison!
Posted by: Jude | March 23, 2011 at 12:54 PM
This is so pretty thank you for the instructions...someething like this will look great on my office door...thanks for sharing...
Posted by: Laurie (Wally) | March 23, 2011 at 01:04 PM
What a great idea! Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Lee-Anne | March 23, 2011 at 02:30 PM
Love this idea! Totally want to copy!
Posted by: Brenda Johnston | March 23, 2011 at 02:52 PM
I love this idea!! I'm going to have to try it! TFS!!
Posted by: Janet Zeppa | March 23, 2011 at 03:27 PM
I love it Allison!!
Thanks for sharing!!
Posted by: alexandra s.m. | March 23, 2011 at 04:33 PM
Very effective!
Susan
Posted by: Susan | March 23, 2011 at 05:00 PM
Love how this came out!
Posted by: Carrie P | March 23, 2011 at 05:51 PM
Just beautiful and very clever Ally! Love that idea!
Posted by: Agata | March 23, 2011 at 06:50 PM
This is adorable. What a great idea.
Posted by: Tina preiser | March 23, 2011 at 09:49 PM
We did ours online with a company called Printerstudio.com as they have a versatile builder for you to create your wedding cards the way you want it. We made close to 300 wedding cards and was only 60cents each. I've since went back to make holiday cards and a few birthday cards. They send it as well worldwide so saved me from posting all the way to Australia. here's their link:
http://www.printerstudio.com/unique-ideas/print-greeting-cards.html
Posted by: Alex | March 24, 2011 at 06:28 AM
this is beautiful.. amazing way to show off those fab family photos
Posted by: Bev Code | March 24, 2011 at 09:27 AM
Lovely!
Posted by: Margy Eastman | March 24, 2011 at 11:00 AM
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing. I would not have thought to print photos on canavas. TOOOOOOOO COOL!!!!
Posted by: Carmen Mobbs | March 24, 2011 at 02:51 PM
nice job.
Posted by: Stephanie | March 24, 2011 at 06:13 PM
Oh my goodness! That is absolutely gorgeous! I've been trying to figure out what I can make for my Godson and you've just inspired me. Thank you soo much for sharing :)
Posted by: Nona | March 25, 2011 at 12:08 AM
Perfect! I love your project my dear. This is absolutely fantastic. Glad I found this blog. Thanks to you.
Posted by: marion | April 16, 2011 at 02:14 AM