Looking for a unique way to decorate for fall without sticking to the usual oranges and browns? This Blue and White Fall Busted Canvas craft is the perfect solution! By combining layered canvases, a free printable, napkin transfer, and some ribbon, you’ll create a one-of-a-kind piece of fall wall art that’s cozy, colorful, and totally budget-friendly.
How to make a blue and green fall busted canvas.
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Why I love this craft
This project is beginner-friendly, but the finished look will have everyone asking where you bought it. Bonus: I’m sharing a free printable you can use to get started!
Giving a canvas a “busted” makeover.
Turn a simple stretched canvas into something unexpected and eye-catching! The “busted canvas” trend starts by carefully cutting slits into the front of the canvas (almost like it’s bursting open) then peeling back the cut sections to reveal a decorative surprise underneath.
Instead of scraping out pumpkin guts, you’re reshaping a canvas into a peek-a-boo design that’s part sculpture, part wall art. You can frame a botanical image, seasonal printable, or any pretty paper inside, so it feels like the artwork is emerging from within the canvas itself
The inspiration for this craft:
When I came across this idea on Pinterest, I knew I had to give it a try. Since then, I’ve created one for just about every season and holiday! You can find them tagged below.
Video Tutorial: Blue and Green Fall Busted Canvas
Watch this quick video to see how this craft came together:
Blue and Green Fall Busted Canvas
Make a stunning Blue and White Fall Busted Canvas with this DIY tutorial. Includes a free printable, napkin transfer tips, and easy step-by-step instructions.
Materials
- 1 stretched canvas (8x10 or similar)
- 1 flat panel canvas
- Mod Podge (matte finish)
- Free printable (download included)
- Decorative napkin (blue & white design, 3-ply – only use the top layer)
- Acrylic paint:
- DecoArt Americana Mossy Meadow (matte)
- Castle (chalk paint, gray tone)
- Vintage White
- Crocodile (optional, darker green tone)
- Standard school glue stick
- Burlap ribbon (plain + blue burlap)
- Blue and white check ribbon
- Twine
- Wax or parchment paper
Tools
- Mini heat press (or iron on “no steam” setting)
- Hot glue gun with fine tip
- Craft knife and cutting mat
- Scissors
- Paper trimmer
- Spray bottle with water
- Lighter (for heat-sealing ribbon ends)
- Silicone fingertip protector
Instructions
- Watch video. Follow the video tutorial for a step-by-step walkthrough on Aphow to make your own blue and green fall busted canvas.
- Prep the stretched canvas. Remove the plastic wrapping from your stretched canvas. Flip it over to the backside and cover the center panel with a generous coat of Mod Podge.
- Create a blended blue-green background. Lightly mist the canvas surface with water, then apply Mossy Meadow, Castle, and Vintage White paint.
Work in layers, blending as you go to achieve a soft watercolor look. Keep the edges lighter with Vintage White, moving into deeper colors toward the center.
- Apply the free printable to the flat canvas. Trim your free printable slightly smaller than the flat panel canvas using a paper trimmer.
Cover the back panel with glue stick, then center and smooth the printable onto it. Paint the edges of the flat canvas with Mossy Meadow to give it a polished look. - Napkin transfer technique. Separate the decorative napkin so you’re left with the top printed layer only. Place it over the Mod Podge-coated back panel of the stretched canvas. Cover with parchment paper, then heat with a mini press or iron.
- Cut the busted canvas design. On the backside of the stretched canvas, use a craft knife to cut an eight-point star (X first, then diagonal cuts in between).
Flip the triangles forward to reveal the printable underneath. Secure each triangle tip with hot glue so it rolls back and stays in place, creating the dimensional busted canvas effect. - Assemble the two canvases. Apply hot glue around the edge of the stretched canvas and carefully center it over the flat panel canvas with the printable. Press down firmly to secure. If there’s a visible gap or size mismatch, disguise it by hot gluing a ribbon border around the edges for a neat, finished look.
- Make a layered ribbon bow. Cut strips of ribbon in different widths—burlap, blue burlap, and blue-and-white check. Snip “kite tail” ends, then heat-seal with a lighter to prevent fraying. Layer the ribbons, pinch at the center, and wrap tightly with twine. Fluff the bow and hot glue it to the top corner of your canvas.
The Finished Craft
Don’t forget to PIN this craft for later:
Trending Busted Canvas Crafts
This craft was part of a compilation video over on my YouTube Channel, along with Burlap Fall Busted Canvas.