Happy Wednesday! I am excited because I am starting something new! I had such a great response of people who volunteered to guest post for me while I went on my trip, that I thought it might be fun to try spotlighting a new crafter each week. Every Wednesday a cool crafter is going to come over and guest post a great project! I even made up a little badge they can have if they want it!
If you have ever shared a tutorial on tatertots & jello, feel free to grab this button. And if you would like to share your own tutorial — shoot me an email or leave me a comment here.
So let me introduce you to the first crafter —
Christy @ Embellished Bayou
Hi, everyone! I am beyond excited to be featured on Tatertots & Jello today, Jen’s projects are some of my favorites! I can’t wait to make some of the cute ruffle necklaces she posted not too long ago.
My name is Christy and I have a blog and Etsy shop called Embellished Bayou. Mainly I post craft and decorating projects, with some recipe, lifestyle, and shopping posts thrown in there for good measure!
Today I’ll be sharing two different techniques of textured art that are so fun and easy to make. With so many of us trying to decorate on a budget these days, making your own artwork is a great way to personalize your space with just a little money and a few supplies.
Personalized Artwork
To start with, gather your supplies. For the first project, you’ll need:
To start with, gather your supplies. For the first project, you’ll need:
~A canvas in your choice of size (I used 8×10, which were on sale at Hobby Lobby for $2.80 for a 2-pack)
~The image you want to paint
~Paint
~Joint compound, spackle, or some sort of texturizing medium
~Small plastic knife
~Seed beeds (optional)
~Silver leaf (optional)
First, paint your canvas in your choice of background color. One coat is fine since you’ll be going over it again later. Don’t forget the edges!
Next, I printed out the image I wanted to paint and used it as a stencil. If you’ve ever been to my blog, you won’t be surprised that I chose a fleur de lis! You can do this freehand, use a pre-made stencil, or just go abstract. 
Draw your shape onto your painted canvas using a marker.
Next, spread on your joint compound or spackle with a plastic knife, or you can use your fingers. You can make it as smooth or as textured as you like. I built mine up in several places to create lots of texture. Try to cover your marker lines, and keep a wet paper towel nearby to wipe off any smudges.
Draw your shape onto your painted canvas using a marker.
Next, spread on your joint compound or spackle with a plastic knife, or you can use your fingers. You can make it as smooth or as textured as you like. I built mine up in several places to create lots of texture. Try to cover your marker lines, and keep a wet paper towel nearby to wipe off any smudges.
So now you should have your shape on your canvas.
Before the spackle dries, you can press some seed beads or tiny marble beads into the spackle if you want more texture. I found these tiny silver marble beads in the scrapbook section of Michael’s:
Just for fun, I added some more spackle around my image to create even more texture. 
Allow the spackle to dry, then brush off any loose beads. My canvas looked like this after all the excess beads fell off:
Now paint over the entire canvas again using your background color. 
See all that great texture?
Now, you could leave your canvas just like that and call it done, but I wanted my fleur de lis to stand out, so I lightly brushed some black paint over the textured parts.
Of course, I just couldn’t leave well enough alone, so I added some silver leafing, too! Then I painted over it again with some watered down black paint so the silver wasn’t so bright and shiny.
I think the silver leaf just gave it another dimension and made the textured elements really pop!
You can seal the whole thing with a couple coats of modge podge if you like. Don’t forget to sign your new artwork! Now stand back and admire your work! I’m still trying to decide if I like mine displayed on an easel in the bookcase:
Or in a thrift store frame hanging on the wall (I may just have to paint that frame black!):
Ok, this next version of textured art is a little more simple. You’ll need:
~A canvas
~Scrap of fabric (I used burlap)
~Image you want to use
~Paint & paint pen
~Modge Podge
~Ribbons for hanging (optional)
Start once again by painting your canvas. Give it a good two coats this time. Next, cut your image out of fabric. Since I wanted a lot of texture, I used the ever-popular and fantastic burlap. You could do two or more layers if you want it really raised off your canvas.
Notice my fleur de lis is a little wonky. After all, art is subjective, right?! It doesn’t have to be perfect, that just adds to the charm. Next, give your canvas a coat of modge podge. 
Then press your fabric shape down. 
Spread on some more modge podge and coat over the entire image and canvas again. When using a “hairy” fabric like burlap, I found it best just to dump the modge podge on instead of re-dipping my brush into the jar. You wanna keep those little fibers outta there. They will make their way onto the canvas, though, but again, that just adds to the handmade, charm, right?! 
So now your shape is all glued down. Let it dry and give it a second coat if you wish.
Lookin’ good so far! Next I outlined my image with a black paint pen to make it stand out.
Attach some ribbon to the back of the canvas (either hot glue or staple gun), tie a bow at the top, and you’re done! 
Totally cute inside hanging on a wall:
Or outside hanging on your front door:
The possibilities are endless with this type of artwork. You could use a variety of shapes, from children’s silhouettes to abstract shapes, the only limit is your imagination! Depending on how much you want to spend, you can make it as large or small as you want. Be sure and stop by my blog next week for another way to create textured art! Thank you, Jen, for having me on your fabulous blog!
Thanks Christy! What a cute project – I love it! Make sure to check out Christy’s blog. She has great ideas!
Have a Wonderful Wednesday!
XOXO
Oh, that is so cute!!!! I've never seen the spackling technique- – it's so cool to use everyday things like that in a new way. And fleur de lis… my fave too. I'm just going to have to give this a try very soon! Awesome tutorial.
Blessings!
-Sarah
How fun! I love good & messy tutorials! (:
I'd love to share one of mine sometime if you have room.
http://www.samstermommy.blogspot.com
Thanks!
Thanks again so much for letting me guest post, Jen! I grabbed the button & blogged about you today.
So great tutorial!! Thanks for sharing.
Charo
Wow, this is SO cool and I love your tutorials!
Cute project! You know I would love to share a tutorial sometime! Thanks for the opportunity!
Thanks for the good luck thoughts. I am always more worried about what I am going to wear then what I am so going to say. I am such a freak!!
I would love to be featured on your fabulous blog!
Love this! Ever since I went to New Orleans I have been obsessed with fleur de lis! Love it…love your blog! Thanks for sharing!
What terrific tutorial!
Very cool tutorial! Thanks for sharing!
P.s. i LOVE your new blog header! 🙂
love love love it!
What a fun project! I've never worked with joint compound, but I bet there are a thousand different things you can do with it! Love the fleur de lis too:) I would love to share a tutorial on your SUPER amazing blog!
Great tutorial!
I ♥ this idea, Jen. And you did have such a great response, I think this will be perfect!
OHH I really like the first version. Gonna have to try that one out soon! Thanks for sharing!!
Great tutorial! Thank you!
Fun idea! I'd love to share something sometime.
That's a very cool project!!