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).

Friday 19 April 2019

Neutrals Project Tutorial - Crackled Pebbles and Mottled Faceted Heart

Crackled Pebbles and Mottled Faceted Heart Tutorial
Hi everyone, Nikki here with this month's project tutorial.  I thought I would share how I created my project for our current Neutrals challenge but also re-created it in different colours too! 
Here is the original:
Crackled Pebbles and Mottled Faceted Heart Tutorial
The base of these projects is an 8inch square piece of MDF - on top of which I have added 4 coaster size altered pieces of greyboard (each 4 inches square).
Crackled Pebbles and Mottled Faceted Heart Tutorial
Although it may not be obvious the coasters were done in pairs, with slight differences between them.
Apologies - I realise the text on the above image is not clear! My first step was to paint the surfaces - 2 in black and 2 in an off white colour. Onto these I then added crackle paste through my selected stencil. I went for a pebble effect but anything should work. Once dry I added Deco Art Antiquing Cream - I added white on the black coasters and black on the paler ones. I wiped away until I was happy and left to dry.
I sealed each surface with matt medium so I could add more paint without the antiquing cream moving, and added watery washes of  black and metallic paint to add tonal differences.
The blue version was an identical process just using varying tones of blues.
Crackled Pebbles and Mottled Faceted Heart Tutorial
The hearts were die cut from heavyweight card stock and the creases burnished to make this easier later. 
I painted the surface with Silver paint and once dry created a resist using hair wax - adding in patches so as not to cover the entire surface. I then added black paint over the surface and allowed to dry naturally, so as not to melt the wax, before wiping away the black paint.
Next I created a watery wash of black paint and covered the surface before sprinkling salt over the surface. Leave to dry and then rub off excess salt.
I didnt add the salt on the blue version but sanded the edges carefully and emphasised with more silver paint.
Crackled Pebbles and Mottled Faceted Heart Tutorial
For both I layered the heart on some altered circles / cogs and added flowers and a word chip.
Crackled Pebbles and Mottled Faceted Heart Tutorial

Crackled Pebbles and Mottled Faceted Heart Tutorial
Thanks so much for stopping by! Don't forget our Neutrals Challenge runs until 2nd May and we would love to see your designs. Sandy is here next week with our monthly card making tutorial.

See you soon!
Nikki

9 comments:

  1. A fabulous tutorial post, Nikki - 2 Stunning creations. Love both colour ways equally. Thanks for sharing the process with us and soe terrific photograohy too .
    Have a lovely Easter Weekend
    x

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  2. Two wonderful creations Nikki - they look great in both colors! thanks for your detailed tutorial on all the steps you took to create these! xx

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  3. Absolutely fantastic post taking us through your amazing tiled panels. No surprise that I love those crackled backgrounds, and the weathered hearts are stunning with their floral arrangements. Fabulous inspiration, thank you.
    Alison x

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  4. A fabulous tutorial Nikki, I did love the gorgeous grey/black version but the blue is just stunning! I love all the texture you created and the heart on both pieces is so striking. Gorgeous work! Hugs, Anne xx

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  5. What great texture Nikki, I really enjoyed your tutorial. Your details were great and the finished project is just lovely. Hugs, S@ndy

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  6. What an amazing tutorial for a pair of wonderful mixed media panels! I love those textured backgrounds! The heart vases are such interesting features, and it was great to learn how you made them. Wonderful job, Nikki! Hugs!

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  7. So enjoyed reading the post and thank you for the step by steps. What glorious creations, both of them. Love the tonal colours and the techniques are fabulous. Wonderful inspiration, thank you x.

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  8. Great post/tutorial Nikki x They are amazing and I adore the details/outcome you have created. TFS and huge hugs Annie x

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