Monday, March 5, 2012

Lady Be Good....

Good Morning!
Who cranked up the speed dial...? It should still be Sunday, in January, yet March is already upon us and so is Monday morning. Time for another great theme at Simon Says Stamp & Show where we say "Bottle it!" No, not your secret blend of home brewed moonshine...just the glass bit thank you. Bottle stamps, die-cuts, Tim vials, upcycled glassware - be as inventive as you dare!
Who doesn't know the notorious and curvy Jean-Paul Gaultier perfume bottles? I picked up one second-hand...cheap as as chips and crying out for a makeover. I thought this little lady was a mannequin waiting to find her perch! I removed the cap and gave it a good rinse as it was still rather whiffy! (I'm a Chanel gal...) I fancied a bit of colour and dabbed Pool Alcohol ink over the whole bottle.

I used Tissue Tape to create a tightly fitting bodice. It stuck to the bottle really well without glue and I was able to follow all her lovely curves.
I wanted a deep burnt orange colour so I mixed Spiced Marmalade Distress Stain with Red Pepper Color Wash to get this great colour and painted it on with a brush. Thought a Trinket Pin made a great epaulette too!
I did have plans to create a full skirt but every time I tried it I missed seeing the curve of the bottle and I also wanted her to look like a mannequin. So I ditched the idea and went for clean lines...although the prototype skirt re-appeared later that night stuck to my PJ's!!! Here's a side shot so you can see what I mean about the form. I wrapped a length of Idea-ology Ball Chain,  coloured with Rust Alcohol ink around her body and waist, going for the diagonal look.
I threaded it through my Bead Chain Toggle buckle and tied the ends together leaving extra to hang. I edged the bodice with embossed Memory Foil Copper tape and added a Hitch fastener and touch of foliage.
I just cant resist a pair of phantasmal wings and wondered how the Tattered Leaves might look...and got very excited when I saw it was all good!
They are cut from Wendy Vecchi's Clearly for Art which I pounded with Terracotta and Espresso Alcohol ink. I then embossed them with the Retro Circles and added a little more ink.
I then glued them to the back of an Idea-ology button which I tinted with Pool ink. I cut the back loop off the button and glued on a metal nut so I would be able to mount and stick them firmly to the bottle!

The nut means the wings can be set further away from the bottle which makes a big difference.

I'm glad I've found something else to do with my leaf die  - and don't have to wait until the Autumn to use it...

I also added three mini-nuts down the centre back for a little Couture detail!
She's quite petite, which I really like and she is now standing in my attic bedroom. And looky, look, I didn't go all Sepia on you. No, this girl is having a little dabble with colour. I knew I wanted to set her on a stand and after a good rummage in my crafty zone, I found a load of old clock parts, grabbed the super glue and created this! I just love that base piece, set on a Wendy Spool piece covered Distress Stain and Rock candy Crackle paint.
Here's the base...
Just added one more Idea-ology button and an old screw and the job was done! 
Bottles - I know it's an unusual theme but head over to the Design Team and see how they all so creatively rose to the challenge! Remember there's a top three title, $50 worth of shopping to be given away... and a fabulous range of goodies on sale!!! So have a think, a drink and use that bottle! I hope you like the little lady too... Thanks SO much to everyone who calls by - today and each time! Sarah.

31 comments:

Neil said...

That's a lovely and creative use of a bottle! Great idea with the leaf die too. I love it.

Von said...

A fab bottle makeover I have some of those as well but couldn't bring myself to alter them am I a whimp or what lol

Suze Bain said...

Wow, this is stunning and her back is as gorgeous as her front! xx

Ali said...

This is... incredible! Such a fantastic and original idea and so beautifully executed... the detail is just amazing!

I *seriously* need to find a decent bric-a-brac shop near me where I can pick up empty perfume bottles and clock parts and the like! :lol:

Nancy Wethington said...

So clever and beautifully decorated!

Peggy Parker said...

Definitely one of my favorites!

Candy C said...

Sarah, your bottle is way cool! I love it! I've never seen one in the shape of a dress form! You finished it out waaay cool! I love the wings, the tissue tape corset and the little inclusions of metal objects. You are so creative! Love it!
<3 Candy

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Beautiful piece, I love her form and shape, perfect mannequin and beautifully decorated and inspired use of the leaf die. A usual piece of Sarah creativity and as always executed perfectly. Tracy x

Marjie Kemper said...

You're amazing! I love this creation. She is fantastic. That color you've mixed up for her dress is stunning and I adore what you've done with the chain and bits and bobs. It's a real beauty!

Lori said...

Gorgeous! Just love this, Sarah!

Melody (lacyquilter) said...

Fabulous!

Dorothy said...

Excellent!!!

ModernaDesignsArt said...

Fantastic! Great color combo and I bet she also smells good :-)
Dorly Weitzen, Israel

Hetty said...

what a lovely project, Sarah and a SUPER great idea. Colors are wonderful and I like all the details.

Ginger said...

I think this is one of the coolest things I have seen for a long time. X

Siobhan Brignull said...

wow you are on a roll creatively, love this piece and what a great idea for a perfume bottle x

KayJay said...

Oh Linda, you once again take my breath away! I would like to sign up for a few minutes to float around your creative brain! JK/LOL. KayJay

Kaz Hall said...

WOW sarah, another amazing cool unique idea.....fanfreakintastic!

kaz x

vintage wil said...

Wouw What a GORGEOUS work!!!!!!

Hettie said...

This is absolutely schpectaculour Sarah! Wonderful. Just loving it gal!
Hugs xx

Lori Saul said...

What beautiful works of art throughout your blog -so creative and festive. I look forward to visiting again!

Ivy (Ivette) said...

Linda, great work! Like Kaz said above, fanfreakintastic! She is a classy chic.
Good work all around. Loving it!
Ivette

jude said...

Sarah this is an absolutely stunning piece,love the way youve incorporated the leaf die also!
Wonderful!
judex

Lisa :) said...

WOW! Amazing!!

Unknown said...

Can this 'manequin' get any more awesome? I just love absolutely everything about it! Would love to have this sitting in my classroom for inspiration!

Ruby Craft said...

Love everything about this bright colorful perfume bottle mannequin! What a fantastic base. I wonder if I have and old clocks out in the garage I can take apart for gears?

Janny Jager said...

Fantastic Beautiful Gorgeous.

Greetings Janny

lilyandthelotus.blogspot.com said...

WHAT A BEAUTY. she is perfect in every way...beautiful art.

email: Steph@SimonSaysStamp.com said...

What a lovely and perfectly creative, gem of a project you have here Sarah! I love the colors and the overall compilation!!

*mwah*
Steph
Simon Says Stamp!

Peggy said...

Congrats to you!!! love all your creations

Ohhh Snap said...

Beautiful! Love how you altered the colour of things as well. Spiced Marmalade is a favorite, but adding the red is just brilliant. And now I need Pool Alcohol ink.