Spring is in the air, which means it’s time to create some spring-like decor for the home. What better way than to use a rutic burlap canvas?
I adore burlap because it is such a versatile medium. Instead of the tree stencil that is featured in the project, I went with a Martha Stewart stencil that included birds, branches, butterflies, and flowers. (Spring can not come fast enough for me!)
Here’s what you’ll need to do this project:
- 12″ x 12″ Stretched Burlap Canvas (you could make your own)
- Acrylic Paint – I used Folk Art Wrought Iron Acrylic Craft Paint
- Foam Pouncer
- Paint Tray or a plastic lid
- Painters or Masking Tape (optional)
- Small Artists Brush (optional)
- Stencil of choice
- Glue Gun
- Embellishments (have fun dressing it up!)
- Cotton Ball or Swab
- Brown Ink Pad
- Scrapbook Paper or Decorative Tags
- Coordinating marker, stamps, or computer print out of text, “Spring Song”
Before I started, I cut out a 12″ x 12″ piece of paper and “played” with the stencil to see how I wanted to lay out my design – a sort of dry run at it. You can skip this step, but it helps to be able to visualize your finished product.
Once you’re happy with the layout, use the tape to help hold the stencil in place (a buggy stencil can really drive you crazy!).
Place a small amount of the paint in your paint tray. Grab your pouncer and load it up, but not too much. I like to load it and then stomp on a scrap piece of paper or cardboard to even out the paint.
Start pouncing (pressing the pouncer into the stencil), and don’t feel that you have to completely fill it the stencil because leaving it lighter gives it an aged, worn effect. Be sure not to accidentally pounce in more than one open spot at a time.
TIP: I used a hairdryer to dry the place I just painted before moving on to the next stenciling so that my stencil wouldn’t pick up the wet paint and transfer it to places I didn’t want it. That’s no fun.
Once you’re happy with the layout of your stenciling, it’s time to grab your embellishments and take it to the next level adding texture and dimension.
Being that I am a vintage lover, I just had to add some vintage items to my project, which included antique lace “flower” (just a small running stitch on one side to gather the center) and some vintage pearl buttons. Hot glue them on!
I was going for a dogwood effect. Do you see it?
Next, I used some vintage music sheet paper that I printed at home using all the wonderful free images on
Pinterest, and cut out some wings for the birds. (again, creating the dimension and texture while tying in the lace) Taking a cotton ball, pounce lightly on a brown ink pad and then distress the edges of the wings.
In the next step, I added some scrapbook papers in layers with a top label reading, “Spring Song”. Seriously, I just went into Word, added some word art in different fonts in the size I wanted and then printed onto a scrap of a manila folder. I didn’t even cut it out, just tore it to give it a tattered effect. Pounce the edges with the cotton ball like you did the wings.
Last, I wanted to add a rustic feel with some upholstery nails around the outside edge. You can find these at most hardware stores and some craft stores. The frame is perfect for the nails because they tend to be long and the frame is nice and thick.
Done!
Now you have a hand-crafted, rustic piece of art to display in your springtime decor.
Have questions? Feel free to ask.
I adore burlap because it is such a versatile medium. Instead of the tree stencil that is featured in the project, I went with a Martha Stewart stencil that included birds, branches, butterflies, and flowers. (Spring can not come fast enough for me!)
