Lovely Moments Painter's Canvas Book

This hinged canvas book measures 7” x 5”.  Much of the paper I used came from the My Mind’s Eye Lost & Found Two 6x6 paper pad.  I started by painting the canvases brown and then apply Ranger White Picket Fence Crackle Paint.  I added torn bits of paper and inked the edges of the paper and the paint.  I added lace over the paper.  The writing is a rub-on from 7 Gypsies.  I think they produce the best rub-ons.  Not just because of the designs but how well they release when you apply them and how they work so well on so many surfaces (yes I applied the rub-on over the lace).  All rub-ons are not created equal.  The large pieces in the corners are stamped paper clay.  Click here to see a tutorial on how to make embellishments 

Inside

The best part of using painter’s canvas to create a book is the niche in the back of the canvas.

Inside Left

For the inside of the book I dry brushed the wood with brown, yellow and cream paint.  Just as on the front of the book I added torn inked paper and rub-ons before adding the embellishments.  In order to be able to close the book I avoid adding bulky embellishments except in the niche.

Inside Right

Back

On the back, I first dry brushed the canvas with brown, yellow, and cream paint before adding paper and embellishments.  The large label behind the woman is a transparency.  The designs in the upper right hand corner and in the lower left corner are rub-ons.  The bicycle is a piece of German scrap.

Sides

I typically use small nails to attach the hinges but in this case the holes in the hinges were too small for my smallest screws.   I ended up using nails which I think are long enough that it will hold.  For extra support, I glued the hinges on first before nailing them to the canvases.

I purchased the hinges several years ago.  They were made by EK Success.  They had a brand called Sticko and the line of metal embellishments were called “Architexture”.  I don’t think they produce this line anymore but you may be able to find their products on Ebay.  I don't remember were I found the handles.  I've had them for awhile as well.

Click here to see a tutorial on how to make a painter’s canvas book.

Echoes of the Past

I love going over the edge of an ATC; I think it makes the piece look so much more interesting.  To me it’s like the design is spilling out of the box.  Everything you see on this card is a paper image except for the brad in the upper left hand corner, the microbeads in the center of the flower and the chain and key at the bottom.  Layers and layers of images can give a piece a lot of dimension.

I hope you guys like this piece cause I think you'll be seeing it in a future giveaway!

Three Muses Challenge - Old Fashioned

The Three Muses Challenge this week is “Old Fashioned”.  My entry is an altered cabinet card titled “Miss Prim”.  She of course has all kinds of rules that a woman must follow.

• Do not scrape your plate
• Set the table as beautifully as possible
• The husband should always find the wife fresh, beautiful, sweet as a flower
• Never scratch your head, pick your teeth, or clean your nails in public
• Do not be in haste; compose yourself
• Loud thumping with canes and umbrellas, in demonstration of applause is decidedly rude.

 The card is coated with wax.  I pressed a stamp in the corners while the wax was hot and added alcohol ink to give it more dimension.  Below is the card before altering.