The Altered Canvas Revisited :: Anne Jo Lexander

Hello, Ania from Norway here with another inspiring tutorial for you to take part in here on the Crate Paper blog! 

This time, we’ll take a deep canvas and use the backside to create a sort of shadowbox from it. Great idea, isn't it?! Have you thought to use the backside a canvas before?

 

Like this one. Mine is 8x8” large, but the point is – it’s one inch deep which allows us to utilize its back to create a shadowbox.

Additionally, I’ve used both papers and chipboards from both the Brook- and Paper Doll-collections, minitags, gesso, some kind of sealant (Rangers multi medium, matte), sewing machine, adhesive and pop up glue dots.

 

Start with gessoing the back. The canvas I am using is already gessoed, but the (tree)frame is not. This will help preparing the surface and make it not soak up too much paint/glue.

 

Measure the opening, and cut out a square for your background – slightly larger than the opening.

 

Adhere the background. Make sure it’s level! Add multi-medium to seal the surface of the paper.

 

Optional: I decided to paint the areas where the background might peek out from behind the papers in black. You can leave the area white if you like.

 

Measure the width of your frame, cut out strips and, with the backside of the pattern paper facing up; mark where you’ll want to cut it (I trimmed the paper at a diagonal).

 

For my shadowbox, I wanted it to be purely neutral/decorative without photos. So for my centerpiece I chose a piece of chipboard from the Paper Doll collection. I adhered it in place with pop up glue dots.

 

This is how the box looks so far.

 

Start with adhering strips of paper to the sides – first the inner sides, then the outer.

 

Then – adhere the papers for the front. Add multi-medium to seal the surfaces. Look how we've covered the canvas and note why I painted the canvas black prior to adding paper to it. 

 

To decorate the frame further (it’s a bit plain right now), I chose a few pieces of chipboard along with two tags and a piece of matching paper.

 

Use your sewing machine to make the tags more interesting.

 

Position your tags and chipboard-pieces around the frame. Note that you might want to leave the bottom side of the frame free from any peeking pieces in case you’ll use this shadowbox standing on a shelf. For the other sides, feel free to let some pieces peek over the edges.

 

Decorate the tags further with smaller pieces of stickers and chipboard. Once satisfied, adhere everything to the frame.

 

Tada – you’re done!! Or, if you want to hang this on the wall instead of standing on a shelf, find a couple eyelet-screws & cord for the top. You could also add a hanging tab along the backside of the canvas as well! 

Comments

[MichelleGB]

What a great idea for using a canvas! Love this project! Thank you for the tutorial.

[~amy~]

OMGoodness...this is absolutely STUNNING...what a magnificent idea! Thanks for the never-ending inspiration!!!

[Cim Allen]

How cute is that !! I never once thought of using the back of the canvas. I have a canvas project I'm starting and I think I'll try it this way. Thanks !!

[katie]

great idea to use the back and a wonderful tutorial too. TFS

[Glynis]

What a cute project! My daughter would just adore something like this to adorn her wall :O)

[Erin O'Neill]

Uber-cute! Love this as a gift idea...

[Mariaje]

Pero qué bonito! Una idea buenísima.

[Account Deleted]

Luv this project!!! Neve ever in a million years a would have though of using the backside!!!
My little girl brand new room will have this project on her wall!!!

[Shirley]

I would never have thought of flipping it over and using the back either! What an adorable project and thanks for the step by step instructions!

[Lowri McNabb]

Wonderful inspiration and really well done tutorial - LOVE IT!!

[Rosana]

Lovely...I hope you don´t mind if I feature on my blog
Hugs from brazil

[Gabi Alberti]

Wow!! This is totaly perfect!! I love this!!

[Maybird]

How cute! Thank you! This has inspired me.