new traditions (with tutorial)

Good morning! I am back again with a canvas that I made for the numbers challenge at Crafts 4 Eternity (where there is also a DT call going on, if you are interested!). I also took a few photos along the way, to show you how I made it.

This is also my guest design piece for Mixed Media Mojo, where I just happen to be this month's guest designer. The challenge there this month is 'new', with the added twist of '15'.

And finally, this is also my piece for the Documented Life Project where for Week 1 the art challenge is book paper and the journal prompt: be your own goal keeper.

I've got a few numbers on my piece. My 15 is on the bottom left hand house, to the right of the pink button. Some of the buttons have numbers stamped on them too.

Here is how I made the canvas.

I started off with an 8 x 8 inch canvas and covered the front and all four sides with Kaisercraft book paper. I used mod podge to adhere the paper to the canvas and then as a seal over the top.

I then added a dollop of gesso to the canvas and then used an old credit card to scrape it over the front and sides of the canvas. The idea is to still be able to see the book paper underneath, but it is now muted slightly.

I then put some mod podge on my craft sheet and added a little Distress Paint ~ Pickled Raspberry. You don't need too much of either. I then mixed them together thoroughly.

Again, using my old credit card, I scraped the mixture over my piece. Not too heavily. I still want to see the book paper peeking through in places underneath. The mod podge helps to seal in the gesso layer below.

I then free cut some houses and a cloud and added them to the papers. I used old Sassafraslass papers that I had. These made it really easy to create my design and the papers have layers within themselves.

Again, covering all the sides.

I then began to work all the paper pieces into the canvas using Faber-Castell Pitt Pens, rub-ons and rubber stamping.

I added real buttons, inspired by the button images on the papers. Then I stamped on them, to merge them into the piece.

The blue speckles on this photo are glitter, which I added on with mod podge.

The windows and door were free cut using the left over scraps from the original Kaisercraft paper that was my first layer on the canvas. You are my sunshine my only sunshine.

You make me happy when skies are grey.

You can still see some of the first layers of uncovered Kaisercraft book paper peeking through in places.

I am entering this into the following challenges:

• new beginnings ~ Anything But A Card Challenges 
• what's new? ~ Crafty Calendar Challenge 
• anything goes ~ Dream Valley Challenges 
• all things new ~ Natalie & Amy Challenges 
• get in shape ~ Papertake Weekly 

Thank you for looking.

Keeley