Use Scrapbook Paper to Make Quilt-Inspired Wall Art

I started with a quilt design I found on Pinterest. I really loved this design and was curious to see how I could play with scrapbook paper to make a similar image. I also thought that I could make my arrangement more interesting by adding some additional color with stamping.

I knew I wanted to use a stretched canvas as my backing (because I had one on hand), but you could also just use a large sheet of plain paper. I used a 16 x 20 canvas because it would make the math easy for cutting and placing my shapes. I pulled together my scrapbook paper (though you could use any paper) and chose which patterns and colors I wanted to use. These pads of scrapbook paper are great because all the sheets and patterns inside are coordinated to go with each other. After I chose my paper, I labelled each sheet with how I was going to use it, and any additional stamping I wanted to add.

Then using graph paper, I cut out templates of the shapes I needed for my design. The graph paper made this easy to size and measure.

Using the image I printed from Pinterest, I made some basic calculations for the size of my elements and where to place them on my canvas to create my design.

Once I got all my pieces cut out, I laid them on my canvas (without any gluing) as a dry run.

Then I started gluing my pieces down. I used acrylic medium to glue the paper pieces to the canvas surface, and glue stick to adhere the paper on to other paper. Despite all my calculations, I tossed aside the quilt image and found it was easier to place these pieces based on what looked right, rather than on the original design.

I stamped all of my tree pieces with acrylic paint using the ends and tops of various pens. I then glued them in place in my design. I worked from the bottom up to keep the spacing even and the arrangement in place.

I have a lot of fun making these patchwork paper collages. I made a Christmas Tree for the holidays.

And a rolled paper quilt from magazine pages. You can find directions for these projects by following the links!

I really love how my quilt-inspired wall art came out. I was so pleased that I framed it to hang on the wall, using some inexpensive lattice pieces. You can find a tutorial for how to frame a stretched canvas on my blog below.