Birds & Blooms: Craft Your Own Shadow Box Decoupage

In this project, Donna walks us through crafting a bird-themed masterpiece on an 8x10 canvas, perfect for sprucing up your space or gifting to someone special. With some air-dry clay, rub-on transfers, and vibrant paints from DecoupageNapkins.com, she'll show you just how fun and simple it is to bring this canvas to life.

Step-by-Step Decoupage Canvas Tutorial:

1. Prepare the Canvas: Donna starts with an 8x10 canvas, but here's a twist—she works on the back to create a shadow-box effect! After trimming any excess fabric, she applies a coat of Gesso to prime the surface and allow it to dry. Once ready, she moves on to painting the background.

2. Create a Splotchy Background: To create a dreamy backdrop for her project, Donna uses Pentart Country Blue and Dixie Belle Cotton White paints. By sponging these colors onto the canvas and blending them with a little water, she creates a soft, cloud-like look. This gives the piece a rustic charm, perfect for the bird and floral elements she’ll add later.

3. Apply Rub-On Transfers: Next up, Donna uses Redesign's Garden Marvels rub-on transfers. After planning her layout, she carefully rubs the transfers onto the canvas using the provided stick, ensuring all parts adhere smoothly. Remember to go slowly, and if part of the design doesn't stick, re-rub that area until it adheres perfectly.

4. Add Clay Embellishments: Donna adds dimension to her piece by molding air-dry clay using Redesign's Aviary mold. To make it easier to pop the clay out, she freezes the filled molds for about 20 minutes. Once the pieces are ready, she glues them to the canvas while still pliable, pressing gently so that the clay wraps around the canvas edges.

5. Seal and Protect the Transfers: To ensure everything stays in place, Donna applies Polyvine Multi-Surface Lacquer over the transfers and clay pieces. This will keep the rub-ons from peeling and protect the clay while adding a nice sheen.

6. Paint the Embellishments: Using a palette of Pentart paints, Donna matches the clay flowers to the transfer flowers, painting them in shades of pink and blue. She also shades the leaves and branches with various greens and browns to add depth and texture.

7. Antiquing for Depth: To make her clay pieces stand out, Donna brushes on a diluted black vintage effect wash and wipes it off, leaving the wash in the cracks and crevices for a beautiful antique effect. This step adds depth and makes the design look more detailed and polished.

8. Add Metallic Highlights: For a finishing touch, Donna rubs metallic wax in shades of white pearl and blue lagoon over the clay flowers, giving them a soft shimmer. She also adds aged brass to the birds and mint sparkle to the foliage for an extra pop of elegance.

9. Finish with Varnish and Ribbon: To protect the entire project, Donna applies another coat of Polyvine Heavy Duty Wood Varnish in a satin finish. She adds a final bit of charm by attaching a bow and ribbon as a hanger.

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We hope this step-by-step guide has inspired you to start your own decoupage canvas project! A huge thank you to Donna at Mason Creations etc. for sharing her creativity and expertise with us. You can find all the supplies used in this tutorial—like rub-on transfers, air-dry clay, and molds—right here at DecoupageNapkins.com!

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