Sometimes we forget to just play. To let our imagination take over and to let go of plans, sketches, etc. Today I'm sharing a project that embraces the idea of creative playtime.
This canvas is a project that truly was a spur of the moment idea. I intended to make a birthday card for my 8 year old niece but once I had all these fun and adorable die cuts on my desk I quickly changed gears. She's super into decorating her bedroom right now. She's also ALWAYS asking her mom to print new pictures for her. Bless her little heart...she's a scrapbooker in the making.
I put together this fun interchangeable frame for her room. She can change out the picture anytime she wants thanks to the 4x6 pocket.
Here are the steps I used in creating this fun project:
Background prep - I used a very heavy piece of 8.5 x 11 white cardstock. It's really thick and was purchased by accident, but it comes in handy all the time. (I hope I can find more when this pack runs out.) I used Martha Stewart Gesso primer to cover much of the cardstock. I wanted texture so in some areas I applied more and in some areas I didn't add any. You get the idea.
Paint - Next I added color. I used Studio Calico Color Theory acrylic paints in Lemon Zest, Glass Slipper and Blush Crush. I also spritzed on some Studio Calico Color Theory Mist in Lemon Zest. Finally I added black paint splatters.
Photo Pocket - I cut out a 4x6 pocket from a 6x8 page protector as the sleeve to hold the photo. I also embellished with a pom pom frame from the Maggie Holmes Willow Lane collection.
Decorate - Here's where the real fun came in. I used a variety of die cuts to add lots of color and whimsical fun. I print and cut most of them using my silhouette. I am addicted to AC Digitals and love being able to purchase digital versions of all my favorite collections. I used an adhesive roller for most of the work with the exception of gluing the pieces to the plastic photos sleeve and glueing the plastic sleeve to the paper.
Finishing - Once all the pieces were glued down and dry, I finished the project by hot glueing the entire paper piece to an 8x10 canvas. Because the 8.5x11 piece of paper sits over the canvas I didn't bother doing anything to the canvas, but you could paint around the edges if you wanted to make sure it had a finished edge.
Check out the process video to see how this project came together.
I hope you will find inspiration in this project and give yourself some creative playtime with a fun project of your own.
Take care!
xoxo - Kelli