Monday, January 30, 2012

My Grungy Valentine...

Morning My Lovelies,
Welcome to another Monday, a new week and challenge at Simon Says Stamp & Show ... I had to use the servant's entrance because the Royals are in the house with our 'Kings and Queens' week! From King Canute to Elvis, from Cleopatra to our very own Lizzie, we want to see your take on this regal theme.  'Queen of Hearts' seemed to be a keeper with me, but not quite the she of Alice or card fame...
Metal and Alcohol Inks are like bread and butter in my crafty space and it seemed to be my 'go to' this week. I started by grunging up an 8" canvas with Vintage Photo and Wild Honey Distress Stains, Rock Candy Crackle Paint and Distress embossing powder. The crackle will cause the stains to move but that was just fine by me!

I white washed a dictionary page with Picket Fence Stain, glued it to card, gave it a good distressing  and then stitched around the edges. I cut a rough square of chicken wire, snipped away a few wires and brushed it with Alcohol Inks. I then stapled it to white page, knowing the hearts would cover the staples.

I stuck Ranger Metal Foil Tape Sheets onto card and cut eight hearts before embossing them with various Tim folders. I dropped and splodged different Alcohol Inks onto the hearts, let it run a little before quickly drying with my heat gun to achieve a rough effect. I lightly sanded the surfaces to bring out the details, but without removing all the ink.
Then it was just a case of having fun with a trip to my Embellie Deli. Each heart has it's own 'thing' going on... mainly Idea-ology and a few findings of my own. All of which have been through the inky, grunge zone.
Here's a few close-ups. I really like all the different metallic tones and different patterns on each heart... my fave is the spinner and flower!
Here's a Memo Pin filled with a kiss and Glossy Accents...! Actually, I really like the Ball Chain one too... The centre stage is held by the Crown from the aptly named Regal Adornments and the wording is made using my Dymo Label Writer and Copper Tape. You can just make out the words 'light-hearted' on the page.


To finish off, I added some metal corner 'thingies' at the bottom and attached an old plug chain to the top using eyelet screws. Get thee to a hardware store or Dad's shed fast!
 Here you can also see the Grungy canvas and stitching in more detail. Well, this gal is all done and now it's time for you to play...

There are lots of roads you could walk with this theme and if you head over The Design Team Blog to check out all the great makes from my teamies...you'll see what I mean!
Every week there's the chance to win this great $50 prize as well as the Top Three Crown or Tiara! I hope you all have a great week and find time for a little artistic therapy. Thanks for calling by and saying hello... it's always nice to see and hear from you all.
Until the next time...Sarah.

18 comments:

bohemiannie! art said...

gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous

The Sparkly Fairy said...

Wow just amazing!

Peggy Parker said...

LOVE the rust and wire!

Ellie Knol said...

Gorgeous creation, LOVE your chicken wire, but also those hearts! And what a good idee to put picket fence over a bookpage, didn't think of that!

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Love the richness of this piece, those metallic tones are gorgeous coupled with all that gorgeous texture from the embossing . Love your embellishments too. Tracy x

Marjie Kemper said...

Wow! The hearts look amazing with the embossing and AIs. I just can't get over the texture... this is stunning, Sarah. One of my favorites of all your creations!

Terry said...

Wowzersss Sarah, loving your project, the metallic look on the hearts is just fabulous another AMAZING project sweetie, what a GREAT job...wowwzerssss Hugs Terry xxxx

505whimsygirl said...

Oh wow Sarah, this blows me away!!!! Thanks for the tutorial on how you made this. It is so very cool!!!

XO
Kay

Crafty Loops said...

Sarah this is absolutely incredible. I love it. What a totally amazing project. You are so talented. Lee x

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

Very creative artwork Sara! A joy to observe...

greetings, Alie :-)

Minxy said...

Awesome take on the theme, and a stunning piece of art executed perfectly x love it

Melody (lacyquilter) said...

This is really awesome!

Anonymous said...

This is stunning, absolutely gorgeous! Thanks for sharing.
Gail in Oklahoma

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

LOVE HEAVY METAL!!! This is just fabulous! WOW...you creativity is amazing to say the least!!!

Dorothy said...

I love this!!!

Candy C said...

Sarah, your Queen of Hearts piece is really wonderful! I love your alcohol inked hearts and how you attached them to your wonderfully grunged canvas with the dictionary paper on top and the really wonderful chicken wire on top of that! Very creative design. I love the colors! <3 Candy

fairyrocks said...

Oh, this is beyond beautiful!!
Gorgeous creating, would love to see this one in real life

Jo said...

Love the simplicity of the arrangement and the hearts are to die for! jo xx