This is a unique challenge blog where we are inspired by and focus on the Vintage; shabby; mixed-media; art journaling; industrial, timeworn and steampunk genres and encompass the talent, flair, expertise and ideas of many artists that we are inspired by. We welcome all types of projects - cards, journaling, assemblage, layouts, albums, atcs, altered art in fact whatever you want to share (as long as it is in good taste).

Monday 10 April 2017

April Destination Inspiration - Arriving At Terminal 1

Welcome to the first leg of our journey for April. Tracy here arriving at Terminal 1 with a fabulous list of ingredients for our travel bag:

Product - Distress Inks/Paints
Technique - Stencil Monoprinting
Colour - Green
Substrate - MDF

I thought long and hard about this challenge and opted to alter one of Tim Holtz Etcetera thickboard tags, the smallest from the set of three. The thickboard is my faux MDF as I had not actually got any MDF anywhere in my stash, so artistic licence and all that!
I have quite a few step by steps for this tags as I added many layers during the process.
I began by painting the tag with Distress Paint Cracked Pistachio. I then cut three strips of card to add to the tag. My idea behind this was to add texture and interest in the background. I then painted the tag and the strips of paper with a second coat of paint.
I then painted Peacock Feathers Distress Paint onto a scrap of white card.
I then pressed the card onto the painted background. The reason I applied the paint this way was to give a more random feel to the background. I often apply inks this way and its a fabulous way to add delicate layers of paint.
I then dried the layers of paint and repeated the same process once more.
For my next layer I opted for some stencil monoprinting; applying Black Soot Distress Ink to Tim's numeric stencil. Remember to ink the reverse of the stencil so that the numbers appear the correct way when added to the tag.
Spritz the inked stencil with water.
Place the stencil, inked side down and then press with a piece of kitchen towel to ensure good contact.
I love the black inking against the green and blue background.
Repeat the same process and then dry the ink with a heat tool.
Next I played around with ideas for the focal image and I opted for a small embroidery hoop which I painted with a wash of Peacock Feathers Distress Paint and then dried with a heat tool.
At this stage I decided to hold fire on adding the focal point and added some shading to the edges of the strips of card and to the edges of the tag, scribbling Salty Ocean Distress Crayon around the edges and then smudging with my finger.
I applied DecoArt Media Titanium White Fluid Acrylic over Tim Holtz Mini Nordic Layering Stencil to add a further layer of interest.
I love adding layers to my designs and I continued with the layering process, adding some Design Tape from Tim's new release called Chatter.
I like to add my layers in odd numbers as much as possible as I love the look and feel of odd numbers in artwork.
 I then added my focal image, the embroidery hoop and opted to add a fabulous Paper Doll to the frame.
I inked Tim Holtz Cling Foam Stamps Block Lower Case with Peacock Feathers Distress Paint, applying with a piece of Cut 'n' Dry Foam.
 I also added touches of Picket Fence Distress Paint.
This gave me tone on tone lettering which I could then highlight further with a black Pitt Pen later in the layering process.
I went back to the scrap of white card I added paint to earlier and then die cut some Mini Tattered Florals from the card.
At this stage I decided that I wanted three die cut flowers.
I added a small amount of Twisted Citron Distress Paint to my non-stick craft sheet and then dipped the rolled flowers into the paint to cover some of the petals lightly with paint to add texture.
I repeated the same process for all three flowers. Now that I was happy with all my layers I then began to add the finishing touches to my design.
I added the flowers to the side of my focal piece and I also added delicate splatters of white paint for further interest.
I added one of Tim's Quote Chips to the centre of my embroidery hoop.
From this picture you can clearly see all the layers I have added to my design.
I added some black pen markings to my lettering and to the edges of my tag and also included some delicate dots of white paint.
I love how the embroidery hoop has a woodgrain finish that is clearly visible under the wash of paint.
Thanks so much for stopping by, hope you enjoyed my step by steps. Please pop back next Monday for the next leg of our journey.

If you would like to join in our monthly challenge, please click on the link in the side bar.

Tracy Evans x x

35 comments:

  1. Tracy this is a heavenly design and brilliant step out post, love it xxx

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  2. Loving seeing how this came together Tracy. I adore the finished results and notice that you also tend towards using things in multiples of three - perfect for the current challenge! xx

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  3. That's a fabulous step out Tracy. I love your finished tag. The paper dolls are a fab addition to the ideology range aren't they - love that mini stencil design too.

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    1. Thanks so much Chris, I agree the Paper Dolls are a fabulous addition, I love them x

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  4. Wonderful Tracy - thanks so much for a great tutorial. Love the stencilling technique with the numbers - really effective xxx

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  5. Absolutely WONDERFUL!
    A gorgeous tag - I love evey little detail of the layers !
    AWESOME!

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  6. Tracy, you created a wonderful project here and a wonderful step by step post! Love your incredible backgrounds!thank you for sharing your techniques!

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  7. such a fabulous DI post Tracy x Love the colour combination and amazing details in the background. The hoop looks perfect for the paper doll and your flowers are stunning

    TFS and hugs
    Annie xx

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  8. Absolutely brilliant Tracy, the background is just stunning with that momoprinting technique, so cool, and I just love how you have finished it with that sweet paper doll. She just looks perfect the way she is perched there and suc a great step out!

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  9. A dream creation! Tracy - That little girl just melts my heart and I love how you have her sat on the embroidery hoop frame. Fabulous design, Gorgeous colour tones and great monoprinting.
    Thanks for sharing the creative process
    x

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  10. Wonderful tag - love the colours and all the layers and the main focal point is gorgeous! A brilliant step by step with some really useful tips - thank you so much! xxx

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  11. This is fabulous! Love the layers and embellishments. The frame is fabulous too.
    Hugs
    Linda xxx

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  12. What a fabulous "make a wish" tag. I love the colors and enjoyed watching your process. :)

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  13. Love this tag!! Great tutorial, thanks for the inspiration!!

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  14. Absolutely splendid Tracy! Love the color and that wee girl perched on the frame. <3 Hugs, Autumn

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  15. What a great use of greens Tracy! Love that sweet Miss swinging on the edge of the frame! Beautiful stenciling on your background too! Julia xx

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  16. This is gorgeous Tracy and a fabulous tutorial! Love the green textured background with the black monoprinting and that wee cutie perched on the embroidery hoop is perfect, amazing use of your travel bag contents! Deb xo

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  17. Tracy your tag is gorgeous!! I love the design, the wonderful layers, the embroidery hoop looks amazing with the paper doll - stunning work! Hugs, Anne xx

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  18. Always gorgeous tfs your process xx

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  19. This is so beautiful and I loved seeing the layers build up! Love how you used the embroidery hoop! Chrisx

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  20. C'est superbe ..... merci de cette belle inspiration à bientôt Nate

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  21. Very very cool Tracy! Thank you so much for sharing your steps- love that background!
    Jackie xx

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  22. amazing tag - wonderful tutorial!! Hugs, Sandy

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  23. Just lovely - so many fantastic techniques - and I really love the vivid green petal tips on the flowers.
    Alison x

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