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Mixed Media Canvas You Can Make with Mod Podge

Learn how to make a mixed media canvas with scrapbook paper and Mod Podge! This was a fun experiment with cute chipboard accents. So easy!

Skills Required: None. That’s the best part about a mixed media canvas. You can wing it, and if you mess up, no one will notice. You can do this project even if you’ve never crafted before!

Mixed Media Canvas with Chipboard Accents

I’m happy to be celebrating week two with Melody Ross’s great products from GCD Studios – available at Artsy Findings! This week I used her Artsy Urban line as well as the Chip Art.

Oh my gosh, I cannot rave enough about Melody’s Chip Art! It is one of the most fun things I’ve EVER done in my years of crafting. I love banging with a mallet!

This tool set is all about embossing chipboard, and rather than listening to me go on and on, you should watch this video that explains everything.

Once I learned about this set, I had to create something with it, so here’s my first attempt at a mixed media canvas using the Chip Art as well as Artsy Urban.

Now here’s how I did it.

DIY Mixed Media Canvas Art

Gather These Supplies

  • Canvas – 9″ x 12″
  • FolkArt Acrylic Paint – Coastal Blue, Brilliant Blue, Medium Orange, Sunny Yellow, Bright Green,
  • Green
  • Mod Podge Gloss
  • Chip Art Tools
  • Chip Art
  • Artsy Urban Paper and Embellishments – I used one large sheet of 12″ x 12″, small pieces of two other 12″ x 12″ sheets, four borders and three buttons
  • Fiskars Edger
  • Flat Paintbrush
  • Craft Knife and Mat
  • Craft Glue
Punch the edges of scrapbook paper with a punch

I always get my paper ready to Mod Podge first – call me neurotic; that’s okay! I cut a 12″ x 12″ sheet to fit my canvas.

Then I used my Fiskars edging punch to make a pattern down both side of the paper. It’s the little decorative touches, my friends. Once your paper is ready, set it aside.

Painting the edges of the canvas with blue craft paint

Paint the edge of your canvas with a base color – mine is Coastal Blue. You don’t have to paint the center (as long as your papers are thick enough, which these are) because it won’t be seen. Make sure you cover the edges well and set aside to dry.

Hammering the chipboard

Now to the mallet! Used the birds chipboard pieces and then the mini shapes – I also put “Fly” and “Soar” in the middle of the two larger birds with the uppercase Sparrow font.

As I said before, you are going to want to watch this video to learn the entire process. Then you can play like I did!

Painting the chipboard with light blue craft paint

To get the fun distressed effect that I did, choose a color to basecoat your bird and let dry.

Painting over the top of the chipboard bird with yellow craft paint

Mix your second color with some Mod Podge and paint over the top, making sure to really get that second color into the grooves (you want it to stick around).

Wiping off excess paint with a paper towel

Before that second layer is dry, wipe it away. I didn’t wipe it away completely, just enough to leave a faint layer and to get into the grooves. Set aside your chipboard embellishments to dry.

Painting a canvas with Mod Podge

Back to the canvas! It should be fully dry. Time to Mod Podge on the background paper. Spread a medium layer of Mod Podge over the entire front of the canvas.

Lay your paper down and SMOOTH thoroughly. Wipe away any Mod Podge that comes out the sides with your brush. Allow to dry for 15 – 20 minutes.

Painting over the top of the paper on canvas with Mod Podge

Cover the top of your paper with a medium coat of Mod Podge. Cover the sides of the canvas, too. Allow to dry.

Applying the paper trim to the top of the mixed media canvas

I didn’t want to bore you with tons of pictures of the embellishment process, so just know that I trimmed my borders, adhered those with Mod Podge and then allowed them to dry.

Then I sealed them over the top with Mod Podge. I glued my birds down with craft glue, and then I added some words cut out of another sheet of paper, a chipboard piece in the center and some buttons. It took me awhile to like my mixed media canvas, but I really do. It’s bright and make me happy!

Mixed Media Canvas with Chipboard Accents

Love this mixed media canvas! What do you think? Will you give the products a try?

If you enjoyed this idea, I”d love for you to check out these other projects:

Anonymous

Thursday 31st of March 2011

I am just so in love with Melody Ross and Christy Tomlinson's art right now. They are great! This means too, I should take out stock options on Mod Podge!

bryantkm@hotmail.com

Chelsea S

Sunday 16th of May 2010

I love all the colors in this project. It is very beautiful. Thanks for sharing!

saulpaugh.chelsea(at)gmail(dot)com

Shanna Brooks

Sunday 16th of May 2010

oh my goodness, just fell in love with your sight, im a crafter workng on y first large decoupae' project. i WRITE CHILDRENS CRAFTS ARTICLES AND PROJECTS AT https://examiner.com/iD OVE TO WIN YOUR CONTEST BUT EITHER WAY YOU JUST GOT A NEW FAN...

Nicole

Sunday 16th of May 2010

What a great idea! Lot's of fun ideas on this site! Love it!!

Christine

Saturday 15th of May 2010

Love it a lot!