Monday 24 June 2013

In the undergrowth by Alison (butterfly)

Hello everyone, Alison (butterfly) here.  I'm sharing a hanging today, inspired mainly by Katy Fox's beautiful flower from her Encycopaedia Botanica set.


Even though that's the main image, I'm pretty taken with the background behind it, so what's underneath - in the undergrowth - is also part of the story here.  Links to all the ingredients are at the foot of the post.


I started with one of the papier-mâché hanging boards or icons, and used Tim's wrinkle-free distress technique with Distress Paints to create my background.  I wanted natural colour tones - earth, sky, soil, water.


Once I was happy with the paint, I blended Broken China Distress Ink through the Crafter's Workshop harlequin stencil and then clear embossed it.  I love the translucent watery effect of this.


I layered in some stamping - using stamps from Insects and Butterflies, Botanical Plate #1 (both in Coffee Archival) and Calligraphic Mat #4 (in Broken China DI).


The main image is stamped separately on white cardstock.  I tore the edges and inked it for a vintage look.  I also added some splatters of ink for a slightly more distressed effect - loved doing this for my version of TH's June tag - I'm thinking you'll see it again.


I mounted it on padded tape to add dimensionality to the piece.


As always, I carried the inking, embossing and stamping over onto the edges of the board, so that you get a lovely dimensional look.


And because the stamps, inks and paints seemed to me to be doing a pretty good job, I put away the various embellishments I'd got out, leaving the piece unadorned to speak for itself.


I hope you like it... Thanks so much for stopping by today.  Don't forget there's still a week to join in with our Makes For Men challenge here at Artistic Stamper - we'd love to see you there.  See you again soon.

Artistic Stamper Stamps: Katy Fox Encyclopaedia Botanica, Botanical Plate #1, Insects and Butterflies, Calligraphic Mat #4
Distress Paints: Broken China, Salty Ocean, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
Distress Inks: Broken China, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs
Archival Ink: Coffee
Papier-mâché icon, large
Clear embossing powder
Crafter's Workshop Mini Harlequin Template

24 comments:

Netty said...

Its beautiful Alison, especially love the great background, Annette x

Rita said...

Another stunning creation Alison. The background definitely has the wow factor. You always make your post an interesting read. Hugs Rita xxx

barbarayaya62 said...

Alison beautiful beautiful piece love the embossing and ( you know!!) color combo!!! BAckground is stunning! Thans for sharing! Barbaryaya

craftytrog said...

Gorgeous!!! xxx

Astrid Maclean said...

Lovely hanging with a great background!

Paula Whittaker said...

Fab project.

Sid said...

The background is wonderful ..... lovely colours and design !

Helen said...

Gorgeous, Alison - you are right, the background is fab!

sally said...

I DO love this colour combination!

Sally

Unknown said...

Fabulous Alison, love your creativity. Chris xxx

Unknown said...

So lovely, really effective. The background technique is gorgeous ....

Candy C said...

Gorgeous work, Alison. Love the harlequin background. That is so lovely and such a beautiful backdrop for that gorgeous stamped foliage scene in brown. <3 Candy

Anonymous said...

Such a beautiful flower stamp which looks amazing against your wonderful inky background.
Wishes
Lynne

May said...

Gorgeous project Alison...Perfect background full of wonderful texture...Stunning image... Love it!! Hugs May x x x

Paper Profusion said...

As the others have said Alsion the (wrapped) background is stunning and I love the 'vintaged' stamp too. YOu never fail to delight! Nicola x

Lucy Edmondson said...

This is beautiful, Alison!

Lucy x

toni said...

Love that watery ,earthy background with the little insects appearing here and there. Lovely vintage flower stamping as well !
Toni x

cathylynn said...

Hi Allison! Of course you have created another beauty! Love it all.
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

Hettie said...

This is beautiful Alison. Love the background and all the stamping is great!
Hugs
xx

pearshapedcrafting said...

Beautiful! Love those colours and the layers , which as you say speak for themselves! Chrisx

Elly said...

You'll always catch me with your blue - ish colour combinations (:o)

Dianne said...

Okay, your background are alway sooooo beautiful,gorgeous colors so much interesting things going on, with the beautiful image on top, fantastic make shesh your creativity is astounding. thanks for sharing your brilliance..

Kezzy said...

Wow gorgeous hanging, love it. Kezzy xxx

Titbelsoeur, mixed-media addict said...

What a great tutorial !! the way you embossed it makes the background so stunning !