Altered Canvas Fabric Flower Photo Keepsake

I wanted to include something for Kim at 4 Crazy Kings in the letter exchange package between our daughters. I shared PART 1 yesterday. After agonizing over several options, I hit on the idea to alter a canvas. I couldn't get it out of my head, and had a million ideas running through my head. I hope I've turned it into a something that is both cute and whimsical, as well as a fun way display a picture of her two adorable daughters. It also incorporates Mod Podge, so it's this month's entry into Xazmin's Mod Podge Mania as well.

A picture of my daughter and two of her little friends is in it to give you a better idea of what it would look like finished. I hope it looks more whimsical and homey handmade than just amateurish. I am trying to do more altered artsy things, but I don't know if I've found my niche yet, as I'm not 100% happy about with the way it turned out. I will say I think it looks better in real life, and I decided to send it along to Kim because she'd approve of stretching yourself artistically and trying something new. She'll appreciate it if only for that reason! I started off with an unfinished value pack 8X10 canvas panel. Bought when they were on sale 40% off they were only a few dollars for both. They aren't wrapped canvas and are solid. ER painted it blue for me, her color choice, picked because she is in a huge Cinderella phase, and Brad drilled the holes for the ribbon hanger. I found the perfect quote for it: Sisters are the blossoms in the garden of life. I thought it perfectly combined sisterhood, growing up together, and the floral motif I'd already decided on. I used a simple pencil transfer to get help know where to paint. Just print out sentiment on the computer. On the backside of the paper scribble with pencil. Turn over, place on top of canvas where you want it to be. Then go over printed over printed sentiment, where the computer typed letters are and press hard to transfer the pencil scribbled on the back onto the canvas. The picture above is of my paper lettering template after I transferred them to the canvas. You'll get a light impression on the canvas. Paint over with acrylic paint and thin paint bush. Then seal everything with a layer of Mod Podge. The flowers I made for it, were inspired by this tutorial by the artsy crafty babe. I didn't intend on making the yellow on so much bigger than the purple one, but decided not to by type A and fuss to much. Note for Kim. the petals are still free moving and may need fluffing and positioning when you get it. The stems are ribbon and rick rack and the leaves are cut from fabric stamps. I attached the leaves and stems with Mod Podge. I added some stamped flourish, adhesive crystals, and a butterfly button to give it some texture and added interest. Then I added another thin layer of Mod Podge to the canvas board, to seal the stamped swirls and protect the ribbon and fabric leaves from fraying. If I was making one for myself, I wouldn't include the protective photo sleeve but since it was a gift for Kim to put a picture of her choosing in. I thought it was nice to include it as a place holder so she'd know where to add the photo. The backside of the altered canvas has scrapbook patterned paper decoupaged with Mod Podge on to give it a finished look.
Kim from 4 Crazy Kings posted about all the entire package from our Letter Exchange, here.