Monday 6 May 2013

A Little Cracked...

...mmm, many of my friends may well say that could be me... but no!  Today the "little cracked" is actually what I have made!  So, Darkroom Door have just released some gorgeous new stamps, and being as I am uber lucky to be on the Design Team, I have just received some of them... my fave being the brand new (and mahooosive) crackle background.  I have had this project in my bonce for a yonk and a half and haven't had a chance to really play... so when I saw the crackle stamp I knew I could combine the two!



Starting with a papiermache hanging board for a base and Fresco paints to colour it - I used Ice Blue mixed with Snowflake to make it lighter, this was pounced right over the top of the board and whilst it was still wet, I blended some Bora Bora and then a smidge of South Pacific to make the edges darker.  A good old zap with the heat tool to dry the paint and then I used the same Ice Blue/Snowflake mix and Little Black Dress to add the two-tone around the border (yep, am a teensy bit addicted to doing these borders!)  I then used the brand new Crackle background stamp and added patches of the crackle image using Jet Black Archival Ink... instead of using an acrylic block to mount the stamp onto, I just held it in my paw and only little bits of the design hit the board... cool if you want that patchy look.




Next I added some more crackles... this time using a mix of Grunge Paste and Black Puff Paint, spread through the new Prima Crackle stencil... I then heated up the stencilled bits, I looooves puff paint as it goes all bumpy which then just begs to be touched up with some Treasure Gold - I used White Fire and Pewter to highlight the crackles and then smudged it around the edges of the board to bring the design in.  I wanted to add a bit of a grungey look so I used Black Marble Dylusions spray to add a bit of extra detail to the background.



The butterflies are from the Wings Darkroom Door set, stamped onto Clearly For Art Blackout that had been covered with old book pages... and coloured with Distress Stains.  Once cut out and heated, I moulded them into shape so they look like they are fluttering.  The words are from a Darkroom Door Art de Fleur Word Strip, cut out, edged with black paint and then popped onto 3d foam to raise them up.  I toyed with the idea of adding "bodies" to the butterflies but I am liking the more natural look at the moment, I can always go in and add some pearls later on if I change my mind.



Isn't it a beeeeautiful day!!!  My heart has been telling me to get outside into the garden, relax and read a book... but my other heart has been telling me to make the most of the tidyness of the Room of Stash and get up to date with DT stuff... what to do huh?  So, I have done some "work" this morning and now I am going to get the old lounger out and take my book and catch a few rays.  I could really get used to this sunshine you know, it just makes me feel happy!   Anyways, enough wafflings... hope you all enjoying your Monday... Thanks for looking... TTFN!

Hels x

27 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Hels, Wow tis a lovely piece of work you have done there! Love the colour and those flutterbys are georgus. I've not used Puff Paint, but the effects look great. Yes it it such a beautiful day, one needs to be in the garden getting ones Vitamin D intake. You could always take your work outside with you!!! Enjoy your read, crafty hugs Debbie R xx

Gerrina said...

Just love the blue and you are right; that crackle stamp is perfect! Hugs, Gerrina

nancyd said...

Hi Hels, really like this piece
and liking the crackle stamp
must try to get this one, lucky you
having a lovely day unfortunately
here in Scotland still cold and cloudy
was out for lunch and still wearing
my gloves.
nancyd xx

Unknown said...

Hi Hels, how gorgeous is this! Love your canvas, just brilliant! Hugs Frea

Redanne said...

Hels, this is simply stunning!!

Kirsten said...

Such a beautiful project, I love the butterflies & the background looks amazing. Hope you took some time to enjoy the beautiful weather.

Marleine said...


Hi Hels,

Lovely work of art. Colours are great. Must look out for the crackle stamp. X

whyducks said...

Oh that is stunning Hels, I love their stamps. We didn't get any sun till the afternoon, so hope you had some time in it too! x

jane gray said...

Hi hels

Loving todays gem, the blue is just like the colour of the sky we have has this weekend - lovley

Take care

Janex

Linda Simpson said...

WOW Hels this is fantastic! I love the words and the butterflies. The crackle looks stunning. I played with my melt pot then got out into the garden this afternoon and caught some sun too.

Hugs
Linda xxx

rachel said...

just loving the crackles - been watching sheena doing them with some of her other stamps - like the idea of mixing them with the grunge paste and stencil too - fabulous - thanks for more inspiration Hels - your piece is just gorgeous xx

Annie said...

This is so beautiful Hels...love the colours and the fabulous crackle stamp.

Wonderful !!!

Annie x

ria gall said...

Hi Hels
I am loving your wall hanging the blue shades that you have used is really pretty and some great butterflies. Such a pretty piece of art
Ria

carol edwards said...

Hi Hels love the tag, the colours are great, words wonderful and so pretty butterflies. Beautiful day so spent 2hours gardening and then well earned rest in the sun

Carole Z said...

Love this Hels, fab colours!!! Carole Z xx

Fuchsia said...

Oh My Goodness what a feast of colour its absolutely stunning Hels
We had the sun I got on with some flowery work in the garden then fell on me bum which hurt so had a soak in the tub fell asleep dropped my book so it was all soggy good job it wasnt my Kindle LOL

Crafting Queen said...

Beautiful creation, love the blue and the textures.

Lynne M said...

Hi Hels, love love love this, especially the butterflies and crackle. Lol Lynne M

Patricia Howarth said...

Morning Hels, I love this, love the crackle stamp, just the right amount, and then to use the crackle stencil with the paste and puff paint, wow, what a fantastic effect. Love everything about this project.
Enjoy your rays as the weather on the news has said it is due to change from tomorrow!!!! was just getting used to the sun, too ha ha.
Lots of love from Patricia xx

EmmaT said...

Morning Hels, gorgeous piece and colours, love all the butterflies. Hope you managed to get out and enjoy the sun y/day. Emma

nannapat said...

I always love and admire your work Hels but I think this is absolutely stunning. I love the colours and those stamps are just delish. Pat x

Rachel Greig said...

Love this tag Hels!! :)

Unknown said...

Just amazing as ever Hels, your arts always superb, hope you well and if you saw the motor racing I hope you never saw the accident, very sad indeed x

Joanne K said...

Wow, love this project. Everything just works so well. Kind regards Joanne K x

Caroline said...

Oh Hels this is SO beautiful!! Those colours are stunning, the butterflies, background with crackle effects are just amazing. I am really envious of how you just pull together something (obviously with a lot of hard work). I may have to stay away for a while as I am struggling with my stuff (nearly finished one & decided it's not right). Seeing others doing such wonderful pieces isn't helping & I don't know why? Apologies if that sounds self piteous, not meant to, just frustrated...
Hope you enjoyed your time in the sun & are having a good day today. Take care, squidgy for boss of the house... :))))

Joanne said...

So much stash used on this which means you must have a 'mushy' brain by now thinking up how to make such a beautiful tag. I reckon you really deserve that spell on the lounger.
hugs
xxx

Unknown said...

I love the colour of your background, looks just like the sea in Cornwall on a sunny day! Fab project, love the look of that puffy paint, haven't seen that before. Maddy x

Related Posts with Thumbnails
Related Posts with Thumbnails