Hey, Crafty Friends!
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at my house. I'll be honest... I'm a bit slow at getting my Halloween stuff down and put away. In fact, there may or may not be grapevine pumpkins still sitting on my front porch. But I did manage to clear all the skulls and tombstones off my fireplace mantle and drape garland and put up and decorate the tree. So, that has to count for something right?!
I'm not the type to scale my house and hang lights and neither is my husband. So I think I'll stick to simply decorating indoors. Sometimes finding decor to fit you can be hard to do. I wanted something that was festive yet motivational... aaaand... I LOVE PUNS!!! And I knew I wanted to use Santa's SLEIGH in place of the word SLAY... as is KILLIN' IT, OWN IT, SEIZE THE DAY... SHOW THEM WHO'S BOSS!! So I created this totally "punny" Christmas canvas using some Derwent art supplies and my Xyron Creative StationLite.
Keep reading to see how I created this Christmas Canvas that absolutely slays... I mean, SLEIGHS!!
Supplies Used
Derwent Academy Acrylic Paints, 24 pk
Derwent Academy Stretched Canvas, 8"x10"
Derwent Academy Artist Brush Set, 8 pk
Derwent Academy Paint Palette, 10 Wells
Xyron Creative Station Lite
Sizzix Big Shot
Brenda Walton Sleigh Die (Sizzix)
Tim Holtz Alphabet Die, Letterboard (Sizzix)
Acetate Film (Grafix)
Blue Painters Tape
Gold Paint Pen
Feather Boa
Clear Liquid Glue
I knew I wanted to paint my canvas and not just glue paper to it. But if you don't have an artistic bone in your body, fret not. You can still use your die cuts without adding bulk. You can use them for stencils and masks. Let me show you how...
For my masks and stencils, I like to use thin sheets of acetate (the same stuff you use to make shaker card windows from). They are nice and thin and easy to die cut. I cut my sheets in half ( I kept the protective tissue paper on the back so you could see the sheet. Otherwise, it's very difficult to see by itself).
I like running my sheets through my Xyron Creative Station or Creative Station Lite using a REPOSITIONABLE refill cartridge before die-cutting. That way the masks are good to go once the shapes are cut out and by using the repositionable adhesive you can use it over and over. Just save the backer once you're done and store it for future use.
I love this sleigh die I have by Brenda Walton. It's actually part of a 3D box die but the side panels are also gorgeous on its own. And it was my inspiration for my canvas. I die cut it glossy/ shiny acrylic side down.
Before applying it to my canvas, I taped off a border using blue painter's tape. Then used a t-ruler to help with placement so my sleigh laid straight and not crooked like it was either gonna take off into the sky or descend for a landing.
Then I removed the film backer and added the sleigh to my canvas.
I also die cut alphabets using Tim Holts' Letterboard die to spell the word EVERYDAY. Again I used the t-ruler (it was such a lifesaver) and made letter placement so much easier.
Then, I squeezed globs of Scarlet and Crimson Red onto my paint palette. starting with the lighter of the two reds, I painted over my masks. Then added the darker red to the outer edges and blended inward.
You'll notice a white gap where I didn't paint. that was my masked area so it wasn't going to be painted so I didn't need to cover the center completely. I did, however, go back and add more Scarlet red to blend out the harsh dark border.
Once, I was satisfied I began to remove the masks (while the paint was still wet). I used my piercing tool to help get the pieces off easier.
Next, I removed the painter's tape. Then sped up the drying time of the paint with my heat gun.
I decided I wanted a border of gold around the red center but didn't trust myself to make an evenly thick line and straight border. So I taped off one with more painters tape. First I edge up the red center, then I eyeballed it and gave about a 1/4" gap. I pressed the tape down firmly then colored in the gap with a gold metallic paint marker.
After removing the tape, I outlined my masked areas with a black permanent ink pen. Then I filled in the word "EVERYDAY" with black acrylic paint. It definitely made a hige impact!
Then, I added a black feather boa all along the sides of the canvas using a clear liquid glue. I love all the frou-frou!
And finally, I a satin polka dot ribbon to coordinate.
I love the thin golden border. It gives definition and makes it oh so fancy!
This really looks like something you buy in a boutique... LOVE it!!
This piece would look great on a wall, on a mantle, or even in a tree like shown here...
I hope you enjoyed today's project and it inspires you to go out there and SLEIGH your winter crafts!
Until next time...
HAPPY CRAFTING!!
~Mitsyana
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