Wednesday 26 February 2014

Shrink to fit....

Hello everyone, Astrid here with my latest project. Quite a simple one but fun to do, and I quite like the result even if I say so myself.....
Apart from the stamps I have used several Distress products, as this month's challenge theme is "Use Distress".
Here is the list of what I used:
Stamps:
Leaves by Katie Fox
Leaves Background

Other products
Shrink Plastic
Distress Stain Gathered Twigs
Distress Inks: Bundled Sage, Pine Needles, Aged Mahogany, Rusty Hinge, Walnut Stain, Seedless Preserves
Archival Ink: Potting Soil
Seambinding
Heat tool

From my stash:
Treasure Gold, small piece of Hessian, embossing folder, Kraft card, home made mica spray, eyelet and setting tool small leaf charm

I started by stamping one of the leaves with Potting Soil archival onto some shrink plastic three times, I then cut them out and  shrunk the leaves with my heat tool. I love the detail you get. Here you can see it (after I had mounted them and rubbed some treasure gold around the edges).
I created a little panel to be the vocal point of my bookmark, it measure about 1 1/4 by 3 3/4". I coloured with Aged Mahogany, Rusty Hinge and Seedless Preserves Distress Inks and gave it a few spritzes of a home made gold mica spray.

Next I created the background panel, it measures exactly 2 by 6". I coloured it with some Bundled Sage Distress Ink and a tiny bit of Walnut Stain around the edges. Then I stamped the Leaves background in Pine Needles Distress Ink.. I ran the bottom part through an embossing folder and then highlighted the raised bits with the Treasure Gold and Walnut Stain Distress Ink.

 I then mounted the central panel on a piece of hessian and adhered that to the background panel. This was then adhered to a piece of Kraft card.
I died some seam binding to tone in with my central panel. I used a mix of Gathered Twigs Distress Stain and Seedless Preserves Distress Ink, rubbed straight onto the seem binding and then sprayed with lots of water.
I punched a whole and set an eyelet at the top of the bookmark and added a little charm.

And that was it, - project complete.
Hope you like my bookmark, they are quick and easy to do and make great little gifts. Perhaps I have even inspired you to use some stamps on shrink plastic. It is a great way to use large stamps on small projects!

And don't forget, there are just a few days left to join in our challenge, all the detail can be found HERE

Have a creative week and thank you so much for visiting!!

22 comments:

Words and Pictures said...

The shrunken leaves look brilliant, and I love the inky colours of the panel behind them... and the colours on the ribbons too - so beautiful, Astrid, the whole thing... I'm not sure I could bear to close it inside a book, but then there'd be the joy of opening it each time!
Alison xx

Michelle said...

Astrid, this is a delight! I love the textured leaves. So pretty!

massofhair said...

Beautiful bookmark, i think it would be a joy to use, being able to marvel at those leaves each time you see them! Gorgeous colours as always & thank you for the inspiration:-) xxx

Scrumplescrunch said...

Just gorgeous Astrid.
Smiles:)
Sue

Rosie said...

Wow, a gorgeous bookmark, Astrid

sally said...

Lovely bookmark, it's a shame to think of it being shut away :-)

Sally

Paula Whittaker said...

what a super book mark...be a shame though to leave it in a book.

Rossella said...

Absolutely gorgeous
Rosie x

rachel said...

this is gorgeous Astrid - love the hessian and the different tones on the leaves - beautiful and so useful x

Maryanne said...

This is beautiful, Astrid, and what a lovely gift it would make. I love the colors in this piece and I love the leaves on the shrink plastic! I love that stuff, it's amazing!!

Terry said...

Astrid, the texture and golden highlights on the shrink leaves is exquisite! Such a wonderful bookmark! Hugs!

Anneke said...

Astrid this is so pretty. Love the combination of the things on your bookmark. Love your color use too. Thanks for sharing Anneke.

froebelsternchen said...

This bookmark is a real little jewel built - a treasure Astrid!

Sid said...

A beautiful bookmark !!

Silvia(Barnie) said...

Wow wow wow- that's amazing.

Juliz Design Post said...

Such a beautiful choice of colours, Astrid. Love your embossed part at the bottom of your bookmark, great design.
Julie x

Elaine said...

Gorgeous project Astrid. I love the colours of your background panel. The leaves are gorgeous, especially with their goldern edges and the backing onto the embossed panel really completes a great overall design. Elaine

May said...

Fabulous bookmark Astrid... Love the leaves & fantastic texture to the background....the blending of inks is perfect the colours are Beautiful... Hugs May x x

craftytrog said...

Absolutely gorgeous!!! xxx

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous bookmark. I love the shrink plastic leaves.

Margaret Mifsud said...

Loooooove this Astrid!!! Those leaves are fabulous and I do so love your choice of colours ... absolutely gorgeous mix, and with that touch of gold here and there ... divine!!! Another stunner!! ox

Dianne said...

Hello Miss Astrid, a piece of art called a bookmark, just stunning work, I would not use it for a book maek but hang it as a piece of art, thanks for sharing..