Sunday 2 February 2014

Whispering Woods by Laura Bomber

Hi everyone!

I am so thrilled and very proud to be invited to be Guest Designer here at The Artistic Stamper - Thank you so much, it is a huge honour! I spent ages trying to decide what to make and several times the projects evolved, but that is all part of the creative journey and definitely a major part of the fun!
 
My first creation I am bringing you today started out as just some packaging - plain corrugated cardboard. I now save every piece of cardboard intending to turn it into something. Torn cardboard packaging might be a very humble beginning - but it can turn into a very beautiful creation.

 I wanted to create a very earthy, grungy creation and started by tearing the corrugated cardboard and leaving some of the edges looking very torn and ragged.

 I dry brushed Gesso all over the cardboard and then began to just randomly spray Adirondack Colour wash over it using the Butterscotch and Espresso colours. After drying the spray I began to dab the cardboard with Walnut Stain Distress ink.

The Adirondack spray gave a lovely textured effect and the result was very much looking like rotted wood - sounds disgusting- doesn't it? - but it was a really lovely organic looking canvas - which is just what I wanted.

Here you can see the wonderful speckled effect created by the ink sprays
The base of the hanging was randomly stamped with the Calligraphic mat in Potting Soil Archival ink
 
I made three panels as decoration for the hanging .One was stamped with butterflies using Coffee Archival ink. The images were then masked before being stamped with a script stamp. I blended some Distress inks over the stamped image - Brushed Corduroy, Walnut Stain and Vintage Photo. I then dabbed some embossing ink over the panel, covered it with UTEE and melted it to resemble glass.
After a second layer of UTEE I put it in the freezer for about 5 minutes. After this it was much easier to bend and snap. I then dabbed it with some Walnut Stain Distress ink to highlight the cracks.
 This panel was wrapped in twine which was then tied into a bow

The other two panels were covered in Gesso and then dabbed with Distress inks like the base.

Waxed Kraft paper was ripped into strips and used on the panels
The butterfly quote was stamped with Coffee Archival ink and edged with Walnut Stain Distress ink. I purposely caught the edges of the stamp with the archival ink to give a more vivid edged effect.
The Tim Holtz Bookplate was used with a chitchat sticker attached to a piece of card covered in Gathered Twigs Distress Ink
This panel was covered with a calligraphic script in Potting Soil Archival ink

This panel was stamped with one of the Insect and Butterflies stamps in Potting Soil Archival ink and the calligraphic stamp was used around this image.
Burlap sheets and trimmings were used to decorate the hanging, along with crochet lace that had been dabbed with Vintage Photo Distress ink
 
Several paper flowers were soaked with watered down Distress Stain in Frayed Burlap and Vintage Photo.
Tim Holtz Hinge fasteners were used at the top of the panel and twine was tied around then so that it could be hung up.

 
Thank you so much for being here to see my first guest design creation - I loved making this and I do hope you like it! I'll be back later this month to share with you some more creations - I do hope you will come back to see them.

Happy Crafting!
Laura xxxx

Artistic Stamper stamps:
Calligraphic Mat 6
Butterfly words
Insects and Butterflies No.1

Other items used:
Distress Stains - Frayed Burlap and Vintage Photo
Distress Inks - Gathered Twigs, Vintage Photo, Brushed Corduroy and Walnut Stain
Adirondack Colour Wash - Butterscotch and Espresso
Archival Inks - Coffee and Potting Soil
Claudine Hellmuth Studio - Gesso
Tim Holtz - Hinge fasteners

26 comments:

Ink Art Designs said...

Such a fantastic creative piece! I especially love the organic nature of this one!!! Well done Laura and congrats on your GDT piece.
Dot x

massofhair said...

Beautiful panel, technique rich & beautiful macro images. Loving the earthy colours & vintage vibe:-) xxx

Helen said...

Simply fab, Laura!! Love the rich vintage feel to this.

Craftyfield said...

Love the vintage/distressed look of your gorgeous piece Laura. Sounds like you had lots of fun making it too!

Amanda said...

Beautiful creation a wonderful combination of techniques and stamping to create such a vintage feel. Congrats on your GDT.
Lov
Amanda x

Sid said...

Loads of lovely texture and layers !!

Astrid Maclean said...

A stunning make Laura! Loved the cracked Uteeh panel and the whole way you have used those gorgeous butterflies! It's great to have you as our guest designer this month!

Juliz Design Post said...

What great techniques, love effect of uttee in freezer. Enjoy the rest of your month as GD.
Julie x

Annie said...

A fab project Laura :-) wonderful textures and layers.
Like the cracked Utee and the butterflies

TFS and best wishes look forward to viewing your next project as GD

Annie x

Pat said...

This has my fingers itching. I love the butterflies under "glass"

fyrefly said...

Love your style, the colours, the mood, everything. Fab piece !

Words and Pictures said...

Just lovely - so many fabulous details. The cracked UTEE is so cool. Great to have you with us!
Alison x

Lori said...

Holy crap, this is flippin' fantastic!

Claudia N. said...

This is so brilliant!
A great choice of having Laura as your guest designer!!! (I knew it before but this panel only prooves it impressively ;)

Awesome artwork!
Claudia x

Keren Howell said...

Just amazing! xxx Keren

Dianne said...

Oh Miss Laura, you blew this out of the ball park, I too hoard all my cardboard, this is an outstanding project, so may elements, techniques, it take my breathe away, that crackling FANTASTIC, boy I'd love to touch it, heaven, thanks so much for sharing all this inspiration, have a great week, ((( BIG HUGS)))..

Dianne said...

P.S.had to face book this fantastic..

Anonymous said...

Incredibly gorgeous. I love all the different textures, the twine wrapped around the tile looks great.

Jennie -The Artistic Stamper said...

It is our pleasure to have you as a guest designer :) gorgeous first make
xx

Titbelsoeur, mixed-media addict said...

stunning project ! great to have you there !!

Rossella said...

Absolutely gorgeous project, Laura, and wonderful step by step
Rosie x

Elly said...

Absolutly stunning!!! Love it and rotted wood sounds like music to me (:o)

Gio said...

Wow, it's amazing. It expresses a deep natural and grungy feeling. Love every detail!

craftytrog said...

Your hanging is simply stunning Laura!
Alison xxx

Jools Robertson said...

Stunning, love this really vintage look
The crackle effect is so amazing!

Artyjen said...

Lurve that crackly glass effect...so long since I've done that...off to ponder giving it a go again! Thanks for the inspiration ;)
xoxo Sioux