Vintage-inspired mixed media canvas...a tutorial

So this week is all about stencils and stamps over at The Crafter's Workshop as we partner with Viva Las VegaStamps. I created a 6 x 6 mixed media canvas. Read on for the tutorial. :)

I started with a 12x12 sheet of Blue Fern Studios patterned paper which I cut down to slightly smaller than 6x6 and distressed the edges. Then I applied a coat of clear gesso all over. The collage of patterns was way too distracting so I applied a layer of Liquitex Super Heavy Gesso on parts of it to tone it down. [If you don't have super heavy gesso, just use a few coats of regular gesso till you get the look you want...but wait for each layer to dry before applying another...it tends to look very opaque when it's wet like in this photo.]

Next, I applied a tea stain all over to "age" the paper. This was Rooibos tea so it's a little orangey. You can dilute with water. For a really light tea stain, try Earl Grey. I usually just use whatever tea I'm drinking that day. *winks* 

Then it was stamping time! I was a little overzealous as usual and went a little overboard with my stamping...but there's a little bit of "open" time before the ink dried so I could rub off/lighten parts with a wet rag. Once I was happy with the stamping, I heat set with my heat tool.

I applied Liquitex glass bead gel with The Crafter's Workshop stencil. After that I blended everything in with Silks Acrylic Glazes, pulling the colours from patterned paper.

I added a Prima resin frame and "aged" it with Silks Acrylic Glazes. A thick layer of Crackle Glossy Accents was added...love how the cracks add to the vintage feel. :)

Then I embellished with paper blooms and pearls.

There you have it...a vintage-inspired mixed media canvas. What do you think?