The Crafter's Workshop BlogTrick or Treat Reverse Canvas

Image of the full completed canvas. — “Trick or Treat”. 3D Art Reverse Canvas 8″ x 10″.

Boo!

Did I scare you? Ha! Probably not. Growing up in Australia, we didn’t celebrate Halloween, so it remains to this day quite a novelty for me. I love looking at people’s houses and yards all decorated, the kids in their costumes, and all the fun activities like Trunk and Treats that take place at this time of year. This year, we’re doing drive thru trick or treating at our Trunk and Treat, so no-one has to get out of the car. What is your community doing?

Sadly, my neighborhood doesn’t have footpaths (sidewalks), which means I don’t get any trick or treaters. To cheer myself up and to get in the Halloween spirit, I decided to create this wacky, spooky canvas to have some fun!

In case you didn’t know, it’s called a reverse canvas because you use it back to front. Kind of like an open shadow box. For this project, I wanted a super grungy look so I removed the canvas, and replaced it with this collaged, stamped, and embossed background cardstock which I nailed to the back of the frame using decorative thumb tacks.

Close-up image shown of the card stock which has been collaged, stamped, and embossed with numbers and writing (old book pages). — Collaged, stamped, and embossed paper cardstock was used as the background for the frame.

The Crafter’s Workshop provided me with some product to create this project. The opinions I share are solely my own.

For the background, I really wanted to use the TCW877 Spider’s Web stencil designed by our fabulous, fearless leader, Jaime Echt. Since my canvas is an 8″ x 10″ size, I went with the 6″ stencil which was a perfect fit inside the frame for for my web!

Close up images showing the TCW877 Spider's web stencil in use with black gesso. — Stencil TCW 877 Spider’s Web 6″, designed by Jaime Echt

Using a cosmetic sponge, I dabbed our TCW9002 Black Gesso through the stencil onto the black background. I chose the black gesso because it’s matte and opaque, which suited the grungy background theme perfectly! It also worked perfectly to paint the frame for a cohesive look.

Close up image of the gesso applied to the card stock. The stencil has been removed so you can see the stenciled outline of the spider's web on the background. — TCW9022 Black gesso was sponged through the stencil using a cosmetic sponge.

Now, it was time to create the foreground and focal points. I used our TCW9011 Matte Gel Medium to adhere all the 3D elements around and inside the frame.

Image showing the jar of TCW9011 Matte Gel medium with the frame and 3D elements, showing that the medium was used to adhere the 3D elements to the frame. — TCW9011 Matte Gel Medium was used to adhere the 3D elements.

Close up image of the skeletons in their outfits (witches hat and shoes). — TCW9011 Matte Gel Medium was used to adhere the 3D elements, including these skeletons.

Close up image showing the large skeleton skull with hand painted gem eyes, and a chipboard skeleton key (antique key). — TCW9011 Matte Gel Medium was used to adhere the 3D elements such as the fabulous outfits.

To finish the project, I used a hot temp glue gun to create finely strung spider webs and globs of slime.

To see more of this project up close and in progress, please check out my quick video overview on my YouTube Channel.

Close up image showing the glue gun spider webs and slime globs. The spider is printed on clear acetate, and hangs from silver bullion wire, suspended over the web for a 3D effect. — A hot glue gun provided the spider webs and slime globs.

I hope this post inspires you to create your own wacky, and fun Halloween decorations or home decor. If you decide to give it a go, we’d love to see what you make! Be sure to let us know.
Until next time, happy playing, and happy day!

Michaela Butterworth
The Crafter’s Workshop Design Team Member

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