Saturday 27 October 2012

A Little Bit Spooky...

Hello everyone!
Can you believe it, we are nearly at the end of October and Halloween is just around the corner.
Well, my project today is not strictly a Halloween project, but it has a sort of halloweeny, spooky feel to it, at least I think so.
It's a collage made out of 4 ATCs.
I started by taking 4 ATC (2.5 by 3.5") sized bits of smooth stamping card and blended 4 colours of Distress Inks over them with my Ink Blending Tools. I then added some stamping using the Distress Inks and the Chicken Wire and Regency Background stamps  and then, while the ink was still wet, sprinkled some Perfect Pearls powder over them. Once dry I brushed off the excess. The next step was to do some more stamping, this time I used black Archival Ink and  stamps from the set: Architecture A 4. Two more bits of stamping followed, this time using Gesso and the Swirls, Splats & Dots stamp
Stamping with Gesso is great fun. You spread out a thin layer on your craft mat and then use that like an ink pad. Just make sure you clean your stamps straight away with some running water, as Gesso dries fast. I added a second layer, this time using a stamp from Tim Holtz's Attic Treasures set. I also added some strips of paper from an old book page.
Now for the final touches. For my vocal image I stamped one of the new Donna Rodgers stamps "Age" with Black Archival ink onto white card. I cut it out and coloured lightly with some Distress inks.I now mounted my 4 ATCs on a piece of black card and glued the Donna image in front. I also added the Word Carpe Diem from the  Journaling Words 3 set. I added some embellishments from my stash and gave it some spritzes of Perfect Pearls Mists to tie it all together. I also did a bit of shading with a charcoal pencil around the main images..
I'll leave you with a few detailed pictures, until next time!


16 comments:

Renee said...

Love it! Great use of ATCs.

Words and Pictures said...

Glorious artwork... and wonderful to see the process of building the layers in those fabulous backgrounds - thank you for sharing the photos.
Alison x

Caroline said...

These are fabulous I love the colours. Caroline xxx

Dorthe said...

It is gorgeous-Astrid, and thanks for the idea with the gesso stamping-it looks fantastic.
XO,Dorthe

Helen said...

Fnatastic, Astrid! My gesso is too thin to do this as effectively, but I am going to try anyway!

Claudia N. said...

Gosh, love that collage!!! Incredible how this piece of artwork developed... the effect you achieved with the finish is sooo awesome!!!

Thanks for sharing!!!

die amelie x

Evil Edna said...

love the background.EE

Unknown said...

Gorgeous! I love Donna's stamp!

Artyjen said...

Glorious background ;) Love what you did with the 4 ATC's
xoxo Sioux

Becky said...

Love what you have done a great way of doing Atc's.

Annie said...

Stunning Astrid and thank you for the step by step x absolutely love the colour palette x

Annie x

Kyla said...

Great use of ATC's and I love the self made background papers....SO much cheaper than ready made ones.....and you get to choose the colours....bonus!
Kyla

Janny Jager said...

Fantastic Astrid.
Thanks for showing us how you made it.

Greetings Janny

Netty said...

Terrific atmospheric project, love it. xxx

Marisa Job said...

Love how you did the background coloring!! I am going to try to stamp with gesso. Beautiful project!!!

sharon said...

Love the techniques you have used, I always learn something from you! The depth you create is wonderful, as is the entire project!