canvas

Say that three times fast.  No, don’t, you’ll just end up tripping over your tongue.

So……. I was working on some new greeting card designs last week, and canvas cloth was one material/element used in the design.  I have quite a bit of yardage on hand, ready for any orders placed at the upcoming NY Now trade gift show.  Thus, I’ve been in canvas creativity overdrive, and had to make some other things to burn off some of that surplus energy.  I love this stuff.  It’s neutral in color, weighty, washable, easy to work with and brings back memories to when I was taking oil painting classes and we were required to stretch and prime our own canvas.

Anyway, a couple yards draped across my work table made me think of those fabulous hand painted floorcloths, though I didn’t want to commit myself to such a project; I really need this canvas for the greeting card orders.  So, I just decided to make a “mini me” floorcloth.

Isn’t it adorable?

©Linda Nelson 2018

Pictured below are the materials I used to make mine, but there are many other options that would be suitable to use.  After cutting out my canvas circle, I frayed the edges, washed it, threw it in the dryer and then steam pressed it.  Next, I applied a base coat of white gesso that I tinted with just a drop of blue acrylic craft paint.  When dry, I made some free-hand surface designs using ChartPak ad markers, then followed up with two coats of acrylic gloss medium/varnish.

©Linda Nelson 2018

I’ll probably use mine as a surface protector, but this type of activity is such that you could take it in so many directions.  I imagine dollhouse and fairy garden enthusiasts could make some really neat miniature floor coverings for their displays and setups.  Handmade journal book hobbyists could make some pretty awesome covers using this method, too.

©Linda Nelson 2018

And, there’s always this crafty default – a coaster! 

©Linda Nelson 2018

On another note, look who was tending to my garden yesterday.  I don’t recall hiring anyone to prune my shrubs – that’s my job!  Aren’t they adorable, though?  This photo was taken from my kitchen window.

©Linda Nelson 2018

Now, my “deer” friends, go grab some canvas cloth and get creative!