Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Spring Has Sprung {Canvas Board Tutorial}

This is an idea that I have had for a couple of days, and after looking at so many great ideas out there for spring decor, I played around a bit with my Cricut, SCAL2, some paint and a canvas board, and wah-lah....

Spring has Sprung!

 Here's what I did:
Materials used:
  • Foam paint brush
  • 11x14 canvas board
  • Acrylic Paint (I used 2 colors, Sage Green and Suede)
  • Fine grained sand paper
  • scrapbook paper and card stock in coordinating colors
  • Cricut or other Craft cutting machine
  • Cutting machine software (I used SCAL2)
  • adhesive (I used Creative Memories tape runner)
  • Mod Podge (if you want to make it "permanent" - I did not, as I have other plans for this canvas board)
  • 11 x 14 frame
Instructions:
  1. Paint your canvas board whatever color you have chosen (Sage green), allow to dry, and then put on a second or 3rd coat (mine took 3 coats).
2.  After it dries, "whitewash" the board with a lighter color (I used Suede)-- you take a little bit of the paint, and add a couple tablespoons of water to it, and mix it real well.

3. Lightly paint this over the top of the darker color (1 coat is all you need). Allow to dry.

4. While the board is drying you can be cutting out your letters (mine about are 4 inches tall), and butterflies. I used my SCAL software to create the "shadow" and letters for "SPRING" and then used some free butterfly svg files that I got here and here.

The "Shadow" (used Cheri font I found for free)

I cut 3" x 6" strips of paper, and put them on the mat, so that I could have each letter/butterfly in a different paper

I used 3 x 6" strips so that each"quadrant" of the mat was a different color
I used Baroque Script font (found it free online)

 I should have taken pictures of this process.... but I was so  "into" this project, I forgot! sorry! :(

 5. Cut out the letters, adhere the letter's S P R I N G to the "shadow" of the the word.


 6. Next, cut out the butterflies (my patterned paper was only patterned on one side... so I cut out extra so that I could glue 2 together so both sides of the wings would be pretty!)



 7. Now, go back to your canvas board and take the sand paper and sand over the board. I sanded enough for the canvas to show through just a bit in a few places.
It depends on how "distressed" you want your sign to be-- sand accordingly.
8.  Wipe off the extra "dust" from your sign.

9. Use the adhesive of your choice to attach the words to your sign. (I just used Creative Memories tape runner).

10. Fold the butterflies so that their wings are aloft-- and then using your adhesive, attach them on the project (you may not like my placement-- go ahead and pick your own places).

11. Place your sign in a frame, and enjoy! :)

I saved a couple of butterflies to put on the frame (I just used a little adhesive from my tape runner)


 A couple more views:





If you make your own I would LOVE to see your creation! :)

Brought to you by the main mess-maker,

Valerie




Parties I have linked up to:
Today's creative blog
Three or more Tuesday @ The Gypsy Corner
A New Nostalgia 
http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/
http://mycraftielife.blogspot.com/
Sugar & Spice @ Seven thirty three
Whatever Goes Wednesday at Someday Crafts
http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/
Craft Schooling Sunday
Serenity Now Crafty Cutter Party Make it Yours @ My Backyard Eden
 http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/ Anything Related Tip 
Junkie handmade projects      http://www.creationsbykara.com
      lil luna link party buttongiveaways
A Crafty SoireeHookingupwithHoH PhotobucketChic on a Shoestring Decorating Tidy Mom Stuff and Nonsense BWS tips button
 Photobucket



Sister Sister Sunday

 UndertheTableandDreaming BWS tips button








Paper Issues Blog Design
Running with Glitter<Photobucket



33 comments:

  1. So Beautiful! The butterflies give it that extra springy-ness?? Not sure if that means anything but you get the idea. I love it.
    ladeedacreations.com

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  2. WOW -Impressive & super cute!
    Blessings!
    LIB
    http://bit.ly/fkxJbz

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  3. This is so cute!! It's funny I just did something very similar. I'm doing a guest post tomorrow for a crafty blog and wanted to do a free download for her readers and "Spring Has Sprung" is what I did. You'll have to check it out: http://www.scribd.com/doc/51394950
    Great job on yours! Love the butterfiles

    Stopping by from Creations By Kara hop
    www.itsybitsypaperblog.com

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  4. Looks fantastic. Love those butterflies. Really completes the project.

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  5. this is really cute! i like how you put the butterflies not just on the canvas but on the frame too! i also love how much you layered everything! thanks for linking it up!

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  6. That is a gorgeous project! I don't love many crafts but this one is great!

    I am a new follower from I ♥ Blogging, just wanted to thank you for joining our hop!

    I would love if you could stop by for a visit and follow me www.mooseandtater.com

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  7. I love how the one butterfly has words on its wings. So fun and whimsical! This is a cute Spring project. The SCAL software resembles my Silhouette software, except with color. One of these days I'll figure out how to download those free fonts. :s

    Thanks so much for joining my Crafty Cutter party. :) Have fun finding some crafty inspiration, and I hope you'll visit me at Serenity Now again soon. :) I have a new Silhouette project up today! :)

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  8. That seriously came out so cute. I need to get a machine that can do such cool things. I am your latest follower. I would love for you to come and check out my blog and follow me back at www.diybydesign.blogspot.com. Thanks so much.

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  9. That is super easy and super cute! Thanks for sharing over at Tuesday Tell All.

    -Melissa

    MyCraftieLife.Blogspot.com

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  10. Cute! I love the colors!
    ~*Jessica Lauren @
    http://copy-cat-crafter.blogspot.com

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  11. This is SO cute! I wish I had some kind of cutting machine but I'm too cheap!! ;) Thanks for linking my Flaunt it Friday party, I'm featuring you. Please stop by and grab an "I was featured" button if you'd like. :)

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  12. This is adorable and thanks so much for showing us how to make it!
    I would love for you to join my weekly "Scrapbook Sundays" party!
    Lyssa
    http://bornagaincrafter.blogspot.com/2011/03/scrapbook-sundays-4.html

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  13. I wish I could say that Spring has sprung here!! maybe April! ...but love your craft!!!!

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  14. very nice project. and great tutorial. spotted you at paper issues.

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  15. how fun!

    i love the 3D effect of the butterflies.

    great idea & tutorial on how you made it too!

    thanks for linking up to the SPRING FLING!

    kellie

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  16. I wish I had a cricut - those butterflies are so pretty! I really like your project! And I like that it is temporary. I tend to do projects in such a way that I can reuse pieces in case I get bored with what I have. :)

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  17. The joy of digital cutters...This is so cute!

    Thanks for linking up to Creative Juice Thursday! Hope you can make it back this week {party opens wed. night @ 8pm CST}

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  18. Really really cute! Thanks for linking up!

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  19. This is just fabulous! I love that the embellishments are 3-dimensional! I'm your newest follower. ~Amy
    I'd love to have you stop by,
    http://amy-showalter.blogspot.com

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  20. what a fun decorating project for spring...love the 3d effect...thanks for sharing at fridays unfolded!

    blessings,

    alison
    stuff and nonsense

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  21. It looks really lovely. :)

    Tnx for linking this to my party this weekend!

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  22. So sweet. I made something similar for the welcome sign for my daughters butterfly themed 1st birthday party. The picture is towards the end of the poat. http://withjoycarey.blogspot.com/2011/03/butterfly-ball.html
    With Joy, Carey

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  23. I heart this!I'd love it if you would
    link up over at the glitter party! http://runwithglitter.blogspot.com/2011/03/weekly-tues-thurs-link-party.html

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  24. You are very creative! The tutorial is easy to follow. Love it! http://www.dishesandsocks.com/

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  25. Hey there I'm coming from the follow along and now I'm following you! Check out mine at http://www.mysimplehomelife.com

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  26. SOOO cute! I love how the butterflies are 3D. Rad, rad, fab! Now I'm inspired to do all kinds of stuff, thanks!

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  27. Ahhhhh butterflies! I love spring and all of the wonderful projects that go with it. This is so very lovely, each photo was a treasure.

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  28. Really sweet little project, I love how it looks like the butterflies are flying by. Thank you for linking up at A Crafty Soiree, I'll be featuring it tomorrow.

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  29. Super cute - perfect for spring and I'm a sucker for butterflies! Thanks for linking up to Scrappy Saturdays! Featuring this tomorrow!

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  30. Thanks for joining my linky party - I love how you put together this picture! I'm going to feature your project this weekend so I hope you stop over and join in again and grab a featured button!

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  31. Thanks for linking up last week! I hope to see another of your posts this week! :) http://petitehermine.blogspot.com/2011/04/sunday-linky-party-9-goodies.html

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  32. LOVE it!!! I am in love with SCAL2 and always love to see projects people have created with it!

    We are featuring you today....on our Fabulous Finds Friday!

    Alisa
    Sweet Peas and Bumblebees
    sweetpeasandbb.blogspot.com

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Thanks for leaving a comment, each one is read and appreciated! :)