Ssssh! Don't tell anyone, but richly textured papers can look like expensive, hand-tooled leather—especially when accented with upholstery tacks. And you can make the ensemble in an afternoon with no special tools or training required!

Finished size: 1" x 12" x 24" Wall Art Panels

Skill:    1    Time: 1    Cost:    1

You will need:

•  Three 1" x 12" x 24" craft foam sheets*
•  Textured papers*:  2 bronze Stucco sheets, 2 bronze Ancient Tablet sheets
•  200 large bronze-plated upholstery tacks
•  Black acrylic paint
•  Paintbrush
•  Putty knife
•  Hook & loop picture hangers
•  Thick white craft glue
•  Optional: Rubber brayer, straight pins
Pencil with sharp point, ruler, utility knife with new blade

*The following products were used for this project: Paper Arts textured papers • STYROFOAM foam sheets.

Note: For product information, see end of article.

•  Allow glue to dry thoroughly between steps.
•  See photo for details and placement.

STEP 1: Prepare foam. Paint edges of all foam sheets black, extending paint to cover 1/4" around top edge of each foam sheet. Option: Slightly compress foam surface to make it easier to paint.

STEP 2: Attach paper. Stagger placement of three 12" x 12" pieces of Ancient Tablet paper on foam sheets as shown. To mark where each paper is placed, score foam sheet with a pencil and ruler. Remove paper. Spread glue on foam sheet, staying inside scored lines. Center and glue paper squares to foam sheet. Optional: Use brayer to help paper adhere smoothly. Pin edges in place until glue dries.
Measure uncovered areas above and below each paper square and cut Stucco paper to size. Attach Stucco paper to foam sheets in same way. 

STEP 3: Add upholstery tacks. Push upholstery tacks through Stucco paper and into foam as shown, outlining paper. 

STEP 4: Finish. Affix hook and loop tabs to top back of each foam sheet and to wall. Hang foam sheets.


Source:

Paper Arts
www.paperarts.com

STYROFOAM
www.craft.dow.com

Faux Tooled Leather Wall Art