Feeling Tattered...

...yep, that be me...but more of that in a mo!  But ... that also be the canvas I have to show you today.  So, last month, the one and only Duke of Distress (aka Mr Tim Holtz) issued forth a challenge... he said "make something using the Tattered Florals die".   Well, never being one to shy away from a challenge I decided that because the Tattered Florals die is my most beloved and used die from the Alterations collection, I would, indeedily, join in.  After all, it is a challenge and Mario (Mr BTS) also had hinted there be prizes!  Well, I had this planned out and sketched three weeks ago.  I know!  Three whole weeks.. that is 21 days of having the sketch sitting there, waiting to be made into something real.   I knew I would be coming to this canvas in dribs and drabs because of work commitments.  What I didn't factor in was my stoopid war wound flaring up and rendering me unable to even sit and make a rose!   And.. the deadline for the challenge has been and gone... alas, I didn't get it finished in time but... I rather like it so thought I would share it anyways.  (plus, being as I have been crippled with agony for the past week or so, I ain't got 'owt else to show you lol)

So.  My usual paper blocking (addicted.... to see the original genius who invented this technique CLICK HERE... her name be Paula Cheney and I have a craft crush on her art and genius ideas)   Anyways, paper blocking with some Bazzill Aged papers and then a nice coat of Mushroom Eco Paint to blend the papers together.  The next coat is my "safety net" layer - using either Multi Medium or Glue & Seal not only gives the papers a coat of protection, it also means that if you goof up any spraying or stencilling you can wipe it off and not make the papers yukky.  I used my Stabilo All pencil to add black lines to emphasise the layers of paper and then gave the canvas a smidge of a spritz of Black Marble Dylusions spray.  And, because of the sealed layer, if you do goof this bit up, simply wipe it off with a babywipe and try again.  Good huh?

Next came the die-cutting... those Tattered Floral roses I make are my fave... I love the big and blousy nature of them (ahem, bit like me right?)  I made three big roses from the largest flower on the die and then 3 smaller roses using the smaller flower on the die.  If you have not made roses like this before or are struggling, there's a photo tut in my left hand side bar.   Now, you all know I am a disciple of the Goddess of Embellishing, the one and only Ania Dabrowska (HERE is her blog) and I just took delivery of lots of her new embellies (actually, ok, I got the whole lot - stamps, stencils, papers, the lot... well, I sent those pixie fitting shoes back... the refund was well spent lol)   So, I used one of the new stamps that is also part of my Snazzy DT pack this month (HERE are some of the gorgeous creations from the other teamies)  I stamped the dots in black Archival and then heat set it - we got that sealed layer remember... and Archival needs heat setting on anything that is shiny or waterproof.  Next I set about adding leaves, cut from the Tattered Leaves set and then came the fun bit... the embellishing!

Now, I make no secret of my "word of the year" which is WISH.  And because I plan to hang this canvas in the Room of Stash, I figured that this word would do very nicely, so I die cut the letters using Grungeboard and the Word Play Alterations die... then painted the letters black and gave them a good old coat of Glossy Accents - which fits in with the Sunday Stamper this week ... and there's candy for an entrant too... deets HERE if you fancy a chance at winning some nice stashly goodies.    I used Florentine and White Fire Treasure Gold to add blingy metallics to the embellishments... check out the butterfly - that is a Graphic 45 metal butterfly, stamped using another of Ania's stamps using Black Archival and the little nut in the middle is an Engraver (Prima) embellie and it says... ART! Pretty cool huh?  Anyways, once it was all assembled and dried, I bobbed two Screw Eyes into the back and added some wire so my canvas can hang nicely in the Room of Stash....   I just wish I had got it finished sooner but.... 

So.  This old war wound has been getting me down for a few weeks now and countless phone calls to get an appointment at the Dr's finally paid dividends today when I actually got in to see him.   Seems I am in the middle of a "crisis" at the moment... because it is a degenerative disease, it means that I poddle along coping with the pain levels for a while, then it gets worse, I feel more pain, I then get used to the worsening pain and so the cycle begins.  This time though... I swear, sitting, standing, laying down, walking... you name it, it has been a.g.o.n.y!   Well, the Doc has said that it is another "crisis" and he has given me some more meds to take with the cocktail of meds I already take.  I have taken two so far and within about an hour of the first one, I felt able to sit and finish the canvas!  Yay!  I admit, I do feel ever so slightly squiffy... which isn't going to help me when I need to drive but if I can get the pain back in its box, I will be able to work around that.   Anyways, enough of my wafflings on about negative stuff... and onto the positive... I am getting myself ready for the Four Day Deal starting on Monday (yep, 1st April, I am not even contemplating any April Fools' = I am fool enough lol)  If you haven't seen the sidebar, I am doing a special Melt Pot thingy on Create & Craft.    Should be good!   Right, I have kept you long enough with my ramblings, I shall away to get some more art made before the pills wear off!  Thanks for looking... have a great evening... TTFN

Hels x