Thursday 26 February 2015

Altered Bottles

Welcome to followers Old and New here at ATP Exchange .....it's great to have you join in with us. Annie here with this fortnights Exchange Post and I thought I would share some altered bottles using Decoart Chalk Paints and Crackle Medium, as well as texture paste and lots more goodies
of course:-)
I really enjoy altering bottles and there are so many gorgeous shaped ones, which make it a difficult choice.
This post is pretty picture heavy so I have included a recipe of products used at the bottom of the page. All items can be purchased from Artist Trading Post online store or at their shop in Wirksworth, Derby.
Grab a cuppa and let's go :-)
2 Gin bottles and 1 rum bottle and I am still creating !! Hiccup!!
Both of the round bottles were prepped with Gesso, prior to the application of the Decoart Chalk Paints. I did not remove labels as I don't mind them, but it is an option some may prefer. You should also clean your bottles of any finger marks etc as this may interfere with the Gesso and paints, but its not a huge problem. You can just cover any areas with more paint :-)
 We will stick with the textured bottle on the right  Decoart Heritage Chalk Paint, which is like a pumpkin colour) You can see below that I added texture paste and lace to the front and back of the bottle.
Once the paste/lace had dried I applied a small frame and some metal flowers using texture paste to adhere them.
First coat of Decoart Chalk Paint in Heritage
I also applied some Decoart Crackle Medium to the neck of the bottle. (think you can just make it out)  Then I covered it with ribbon!! Don't you just hate covering backgrounds you really like ?
 Vintage Photo Distress Ink was applied over the  Decoart Heritage paint to give a more aged appearance.
At this stage I applied some Treasure Gold Gilding Wax in Renaissance to the raised areas of texture, lace as well as the gorgeous flowers and frame.
Some embellishments were added  using old pieces of jewellery from my stash and a Tim Holtz photograph was placed in the frame. I also painted some of Tim's Gum Drops to add to the centre of the flowers
Some chain, charms and more ribbon to complete the look. To adhere the ribbon I used Power Tape. The flowers were adhered using Cosmic Shimmer Glue
Below is the back of the bottle, with a little key and some clock face charms.
The bottle below was Gessoed and then Whisper Decoart Chalk Paint was applied. 
(2 coats because I did not clean my bottle !!)
 The Steampunk bottle  in the photograph below was NOT prepped with Gesso as I wanted to see how the chalk paints adhered to glass. I was not disappointed ........the Rustic Decart Chalk Paint adhered perfectly. Below you can also see that I applied Decoart Crackle Medium, which I love. The crackle looks fabulous and appears immediately.
 When the Crackle Medium was dry I applied Whisper Decoart Chalk Paint on top and once dry I inked it with Vintage Photo DI. Doesn't the crackle look great ? Very distressed ...love it !!

Decoart  Matte Varnish can be applied over the paints/crackles to seal them. 
Now for the decoration..........Using Tim Holtz Faux Suede technique I took some kraft card and die cut it using  Sizzix Tim Holtz Cabinet Die.   The rectangle was also die cut using Tim Holtz Rectangle Movers and Shapers Die Set. You can find this technique on page 40 of Tim's Compendium of Curiosities Book 2.  The DI colours I used  are Vintage Photo and Black Soot. There's a little tear, but that will be fixed with some  Ranger Glue N Seal.
 More Glue N Seal was applied to the suede/leather look pieces and adhered to the  4 sections of the bottle.
To decorate I used  numerous Tim Holtz Idea-Ology Pieces, adhering them with Glossy Accents.
( I just layed the bottle on its side, raising it up at the top with several DI pads, waiting until the embellishments on each section had dried before I turned it over for more decoration.)
You can see the various sections below....mmm.....lots of delicious metal Idea-Ology....Fabulous!!!
I also stamped Tim Holtz  Steampunk gents on Grunge Paper, using Archival Ink in Jet Black. Applied Vintage Photo DI and then fussy cut the stamped images, before applying around the lid of the bottle.  The grunge paper is so soft and easily wraps around the bottle top. Some Idea-Ology Sprockets and Gears were also adhered to the top of the lid.
Thank You for sticking with me through this long post................and I can hear you say "But there's 3 bottles ?"
Well........I am keeping you in suspense!!
You will have to pop back over to our next challenge to see how it turned out :-)
Hope you have found this Exchange  Post beneficial.  You can also create the painted and textured backgrounds on other substrates...not just on glass. But I do love an altered bottle and you can create/decorate in the style of your choice.
Now for the Recipe of all the products used :
Gesso
Ranger Texture Paste
Decoart Chalk Paint in Rustic
Decoart Paint in Heritage
Decoart Paint in Whisper
Decoart Crackle Medium
Sizzix Tim Holtz Cameo Frame
Sizzix Tim Holtz Rectangle Magnetic Die Set
Compendium of Curiosities 2
Kraft Card
Ranger  Ink Refresher Spray
Vintage Photo Distress Ink
Black Soot Distress Ink
Ranger Glue N Seal
Idea-ology Locket Keys
Idea-ology Philosophy Tags
Idea-ology Pen Nibs
Idea-ology Sprocket Gears
Idea-ology Game Spinners
Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Stamps- Steampunk
Glossy Accents
Power Tape
Grunge Paper
Archival Ink - Jet Black

Don't forget to check out Ruth's Alphabet Soup Challenge, which runs until  the 4th March. It would be great to have you join in and there's a voucher for the winner to spend at Artist Trading Post online store, also badges for the Top 3.

Have Fun and Crafty Hugs
Annie x

Saturday 21 February 2015

Winners of Love is in the air !

Happy Saturday everyone ! I hope your weekend has started off well ! I'm back today to announce the winners of the Love is in the Air challenge. Such beautiful entries, but as always there can only be one winner..........




We loved Etsuko's canvas, so much wonderful mixed media goodness !
Congratulations Etsuko if you could email carringtons22@yahoo.co.uk to claim your prize and also get your winners badge. 
 
So, now on to the top 3:









All truly beautiful projects ! 
Please email carringtons22@yahoo.co.uk for your top 3 badges.  
Thanks to everyone who entered the 'Love is in the Air' challenge, your projects were all gorgeous! 
'
The current challenge is Alphabet Soupand is open until 20:00 on the 4th March so you've got plenty of time to join us ! 
 
Enjoy your weekend ! 
Sue





Thursday 19 February 2015

Alphabet Soup !

Hi Ruth here, I'm sure we all have alphabet stamps or maybe you have some chipboard letters that need using up. This time our challenge is about using letters or numbers in some way other than making a word or marking an anniversary with them. Maybe random stamping or use of die cuts to make a collage background, borders or do some pattern building with them? 

You can make anything mixed media style, just as long as somewhere on the project you incorporate some letters or numbers....and remember you must include some stamping and no digi images. For the winner there is the usual £10 voucher to spend in Artist Trading Post.
  
To help inspire you please take a look at the wonderful creations the DT have come up with.







I've altered a wooden book drawer unit.






Now it's over to you ! Remember to check back on Saturday to see if you're a winner ! 

Thursday 12 February 2015

Dabbling with Silk Clay !

Hello everyone, Yvonne here, it's my week to share an ATP Exchange Post with you.
I love to use up bits and pieces that can be found on my desk, often lefts overs, but to my mind useful.
But first of all I want to share this  product  with you.
It's so easy to use ............ 'Silk Clay'.
 
 It's smooth, flexible, lightweight, self hardening and feels like rubber when you use it.
There are a variety of colours, but I chose to go with white, then the colouring would be my choice.
One of the molds I used is shown in the photo Mod Podge Industrial
 
As you can see it can be used in molds. Use small pieces of clay, be sure  you press it well down , then  ease it gently away from the side of the shape,  (makes it easier to remove and doesn't need trimming].
 Pressed into stamps, with cutters,  or shaped by hand.
When using the mold, I have found it easier to  remove, if you lightly dust the mold with talc first.
You can remove it from the mold quite quickly and leave it to set on your desk.
I found for me  that about 30 minutes was the ideal time before removing it from the mold.
 
A little goes a long way, I made all of these shapes, using only about a third of the pot.
At £1. 99  I  call that a bargain buy.
 
It is easy to colour as well.
The colours I used here were to fit in with my project.
So what did I make?
 
 
A  recycled base canvas 7 x 5 inches, painted with a few coats of White Gesso
 to cover the original decoration.
Old book page scraps, buttons, Washi Tape, scrap of material, and a few metal bits and pieces.
 
More texture added using Grunge Paste and  a Gothic stencil by Tim Holtz.
Then a few more coats of White Gesso
 
Random stamping using a very old script stamp.
 
Starting to lay on some colour using Prima Colour bloom, Summer Story and Dylusions White linen sprays.
 
This is the where I decided to stop and began  adding some Treasure Gold White Fire, to highlight the assorted bits and pieces.
 
The focal image and quote are  from the Dina Wakley Scribbly Women set.
Stamped onto tissue with Black Staz On. Tearing around the edges rather than using scissors gets a better finish when adding to the canvas and textures using matt Gel medium.
So here is my finished canvas, 
I  added some  of my home made embellishments adding extra Treasure Gold highlights.
All the products I've used that available from Artist Trading Post are linked
 so you can find them easily. 
Online or in the bricks and mortar shop you will find a fantastic range of products for all your crafting needs.
 
Yvonne
x

Saturday 7 February 2015

Winners of the Flower Power challenge !

Hello ! It's time to announce the winner and top three for the Flower Power challenge. Again, it was a touch decision as there were so many beautiful entries !

So, the winner is.........




We loved the beautiful flowers on Jennie;s card and the delicate colour palette !
Congratulations Jennie  if you could email carringtons22@yahoo.co.uk to claim your prize and also get your winners badge. 
 
So, now on to the top 3:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

Please email carringtons22@yahoo.co.uk for your top 3 badges.  
Thanks to everyone who entered the Flower Power challenge, your blooms were all gorgeous! 

The current challenge is Love is in the air and is open until 20:00 on the 18th February so you've got plenty of time to join us ! 
 
Enjoy your weekend ! 
Sue
 
 
 
 
 
 

Thursday 5 February 2015

Love is in the air !

Hi everyone , 
Yvonne here and its my turn to host the next challenge.
The new theme is ....'Love is in the Air'.

It will soon be Valentines Day, so my theme is all about Love, what does it mean to you.?
A feeling, a look, a touch, a word, something that makes your heart happy.............the list can be endless.
So for this challenge, share with us how you see 'love' in your world.
Remember we are a Mixed Media Challenge and this is the style we would like you to follow, include some stamping, but no digi images.

The team have made some wonderful pieces  to give you  inspiration, you can find out how they were made if you click the names and visit their blogs.
  Artist Trading Post generously provide a £10 voucher for our winner
 and you can also be one of our Top 3 winners and receive a badge for you blog

Yvonne







Now its over to you.
We  look forward to to seeing what you make and hope you have fun with this theme.

A small reminder, please pop back on Saturday to see who was the winner and the Top 3
from Julia's challenge.