I thought I would share one of my favorite tutorials from the Balzer Designs archives! It originally appeared January 15, 2010. Enjoy!
This is a folded canvas book. I used mine to write some thoughts on the act of creating. Here's how it came together for me:
Materials:
- Scor-it Board
- 12×12 Sticky Back Canvas from Ranger (I don't believe they make this product anymore, but you can do this project with a regular piece of canvas and add glue.)
- Acrylic Paint
- Book Page
- Scissors
- Gel Medium
- Paintbrush and Water
- Gesso
- Watercolor Paints (I used Koi by Sakura)
- Box Cutter
- Glass Mat
- Adirondack Color Wash from Ranger (Again, I don't believe they make this product anymore, but you can use any spray ink that works on canvas.)
- Heat Gun
- Metal Edge Ruler
Step One: Score the Sticky Back Canvas
Using the Scor-it Board, score the Sticky Back Canvas at the 3, 6, and 9 inch marks.
Turn the Sticky Back Canvas 90º and score at the 6 inch mark.
Each of the sections will be a page in the finished book.
Step Two: Decorate the Sticky Back Canvas
I chose to decorate my book with layers of paint and ink and book pages. You could use patterned paper or photographs or anything else you’d like. Here are the steps I took:
1. Paint each of the sections with acrylic paint.
Don’t worry about staying in the lines. Let the paint dry or dry with a heat gun.
2. Using a paintbrush, put some gesso on the end of an empty toilet paper tube.
Use that painted toilet paper tube as a stamp and add some circles to your canvas. Let the paint dry or dry with a heat gun.
3. Add some flecks and drops of gesso over the entire canvas.
Don’t be afraid of ruining it! We’re creating texture and layers and the end result will be fabulous! Trust the process. Let the paint dry or dry with a heat gun.
4. Cut shapes (I used hearts) and tear strips from a book page. Adhere these randomly using a thin coat of Gel Medium.
5. Spray the canvas with several colors of Adirondack Color Wash. Dry with a heat gun.
6. Add some more gesso randomly.
Again, we’re trying to create visual texture. Don’t be afraid of ruining it. Use a very thin coat, diluting with water if necessary. Let the paint dry or dry with a heat gun.
7. Using black acrylic paint, paint words or thoughts on each page of the book. Let the paint dry or dry with a heat gun.
If you’ve added a lot of layers, you may want to re-score the canvas using the Scor-It Board before you begin to assemble it.
1. Using a box cutter and a metal edge ruler, and working on a glass mat. Cut across the 6 inch score mark, between the 3 and 9 inch scores.
I have marked the photo in red to indicate the cut.
2. Remove the paper backing from the Sticky Back Canvas, exposing the adhesive.
3. Fold the canvas in half (along the 6-inch score) and pull the cut you made open.
This is the basic structure of your book.
4. Carefully begin to push the Sticky Back Canvas together to form four flat pages.
5. Gently coax the four pages around to create your book! If any of the adhesive from the Sticky Back Canvas is exposed, use a pair of scissors to trim it away.
Hope you enjoyed the tutorial! I had a lot of fun making it.
Thanks for stopping by!
You are the best. Love what you do. Thanks!!
You are the best. Love what you do. Thanks!!
You are the best. Love what you do. Thanks!!
You are the best. Love what you do. Thanks!!
You are the best. Love what you do. Thanks!!
You are the best. Love what you do. Thanks!!
You are the best. Love what you do. Thanks!!
This flash from the the past reminded me of a pocket travel journal tutorial you once did for Prima. I made several within a 2 year period, giving them as gifts. I tried to find that tutorial again but I think it no longer exists. It was a great project! if the video could ever be located or if you have the urge to do another archival post, the pocket journal would be a really wonderful choice!
This flash from the the past reminded me of a pocket travel journal tutorial you once did for Prima. I made several within a 2 year period, giving them as gifts. I tried to find that tutorial again but I think it no longer exists. It was a great project! if the video could ever be located or if you have the urge to do another archival post, the pocket journal would be a really wonderful choice!
This flash from the the past reminded me of a pocket travel journal tutorial you once did for Prima. I made several within a 2 year period, giving them as gifts. I tried to find that tutorial again but I think it no longer exists. It was a great project! if the video could ever be located or if you have the urge to do another archival post, the pocket journal would be a really wonderful choice!
This flash from the the past reminded me of a pocket travel journal tutorial you once did for Prima. I made several within a 2 year period, giving them as gifts. I tried to find that tutorial again but I think it no longer exists. It was a great project! if the video could ever be located or if you have the urge to do another archival post, the pocket journal would be a really wonderful choice!
This flash from the the past reminded me of a pocket travel journal tutorial you once did for Prima. I made several within a 2 year period, giving them as gifts. I tried to find that tutorial again but I think it no longer exists. It was a great project! if the video could ever be located or if you have the urge to do another archival post, the pocket journal would be a really wonderful choice!
This flash from the the past reminded me of a pocket travel journal tutorial you once did for Prima. I made several within a 2 year period, giving them as gifts. I tried to find that tutorial again but I think it no longer exists. It was a great project! if the video could ever be located or if you have the urge to do another archival post, the pocket journal would be a really wonderful choice!
This flash from the the past reminded me of a pocket travel journal tutorial you once did for Prima. I made several within a 2 year period, giving them as gifts. I tried to find that tutorial again but I think it no longer exists. It was a great project! if the video could ever be located or if you have the urge to do another archival post, the pocket journal would be a really wonderful choice!
The layering on step 5 was so interesting of and by itself. I was thinking if that was all fabric (using fusible fabrics), and all fabric paint, it would make an interesting pillow cover or part of a shopping style bag. Or with paper, my next scrapbook page. Thanks for inspiring!
The layering on step 5 was so interesting of and by itself. I was thinking if that was all fabric (using fusible fabrics), and all fabric paint, it would make an interesting pillow cover or part of a shopping style bag. Or with paper, my next scrapbook page. Thanks for inspiring!
The layering on step 5 was so interesting of and by itself. I was thinking if that was all fabric (using fusible fabrics), and all fabric paint, it would make an interesting pillow cover or part of a shopping style bag. Or with paper, my next scrapbook page. Thanks for inspiring!
The layering on step 5 was so interesting of and by itself. I was thinking if that was all fabric (using fusible fabrics), and all fabric paint, it would make an interesting pillow cover or part of a shopping style bag. Or with paper, my next scrapbook page. Thanks for inspiring!
The layering on step 5 was so interesting of and by itself. I was thinking if that was all fabric (using fusible fabrics), and all fabric paint, it would make an interesting pillow cover or part of a shopping style bag. Or with paper, my next scrapbook page. Thanks for inspiring!
The layering on step 5 was so interesting of and by itself. I was thinking if that was all fabric (using fusible fabrics), and all fabric paint, it would make an interesting pillow cover or part of a shopping style bag. Or with paper, my next scrapbook page. Thanks for inspiring!
The layering on step 5 was so interesting of and by itself. I was thinking if that was all fabric (using fusible fabrics), and all fabric paint, it would make an interesting pillow cover or part of a shopping style bag. Or with paper, my next scrapbook page. Thanks for inspiring!
Searching for my pkg of sticky-backed canvas was an adventure, as it is almost anytime that I’m looking for something specific, but I found it. This was a fun book to make. Playing with the colors and adding the gesso over the top helped me to create a hazy look that I really like. Following along with your guidance has really helped me grow as an artist. Thanks, Julie!
Searching for my pkg of sticky-backed canvas was an adventure, as it is almost anytime that I’m looking for something specific, but I found it. This was a fun book to make. Playing with the colors and adding the gesso over the top helped me to create a hazy look that I really like. Following along with your guidance has really helped me grow as an artist. Thanks, Julie!
Searching for my pkg of sticky-backed canvas was an adventure, as it is almost anytime that I’m looking for something specific, but I found it. This was a fun book to make. Playing with the colors and adding the gesso over the top helped me to create a hazy look that I really like. Following along with your guidance has really helped me grow as an artist. Thanks, Julie!
Searching for my pkg of sticky-backed canvas was an adventure, as it is almost anytime that I’m looking for something specific, but I found it. This was a fun book to make. Playing with the colors and adding the gesso over the top helped me to create a hazy look that I really like. Following along with your guidance has really helped me grow as an artist. Thanks, Julie!
Searching for my pkg of sticky-backed canvas was an adventure, as it is almost anytime that I’m looking for something specific, but I found it. This was a fun book to make. Playing with the colors and adding the gesso over the top helped me to create a hazy look that I really like. Following along with your guidance has really helped me grow as an artist. Thanks, Julie!
Searching for my pkg of sticky-backed canvas was an adventure, as it is almost anytime that I’m looking for something specific, but I found it. This was a fun book to make. Playing with the colors and adding the gesso over the top helped me to create a hazy look that I really like. Following along with your guidance has really helped me grow as an artist. Thanks, Julie!
Searching for my pkg of sticky-backed canvas was an adventure, as it is almost anytime that I’m looking for something specific, but I found it. This was a fun book to make. Playing with the colors and adding the gesso over the top helped me to create a hazy look that I really like. Following along with your guidance has really helped me grow as an artist. Thanks, Julie!
Thats so awesome to hear! Thank you!
Thats so awesome to hear! Thank you!
Thats so awesome to hear! Thank you!
Thats so awesome to hear! Thank you!
Thats so awesome to hear! Thank you!
Thats so awesome to hear! Thank you!
Thats so awesome to hear! Thank you!