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Tuesday 5 February 2013

Handmade Embellishments - Craft-Room Challenge

Hi, I hope you all enjoyed creating in Monochrome over the last fortnight - the entries were beautiful, however it's now time for a new theme over at the Craft-Room Challenge and this time it was my turn to choose the theme.  My choice for this fortnight is

Handmade Embellishments
(Make Your Own)

I love to see handmade flowers, pins, and other beautiful things on creations, but I use pre-bought ones regularly and really struggle with making my own flowers - even with the Tim Holtz Tattered Florals die, lol, so I decided to set a theme which would challenge myself as well :-).  I'd like to see some embellishments on your creations which you've made yourself, and hopefully we can inspire each other.  You can make any embellishments you want, with whatever you want.

My creations is a little wall hanging made from mdf - yes, I'm still using it up - and probably not my usual type of thing as there is not a scrap of lace in sight (although I did wonder where I could squeeze a little bit in):

 
 All the stamps used on this are by Stampin' Up, (from the sets Papaya Collage, Pursuit of Happiness and Woodgrain background), as is the dp, courtesy of the lovely Vicky's Stampers' 6 club (Crafting Clare).

I've applied a thin layer of cream chalk paint over the dp to make the text less visible then stamped two roses (masking one) in the bottom right, and the leaves all the way around.  The roses were coloured with Inktense pencils.
 
The bird was stamped onto a piece of Stampbord (which I painted cream), masked and I then stamped the woodgrain background.  I tinted with Inktense again and applied a layer of crackle glaze across the top, and sponged some DI over the top when dry, and added a piece of twig with some hot glue.

The sentiment, or most of it, was stamped onto a piece of frosted memory glass which I backed with some cream card - I love the soft look the text has using this.  I stamped the remainder of the sentiment underneath onto some plain cream card.

The key (to happiness) has been laid inside a jewellery pendant turned on it's side, and covered with two layers of resin, and some sealed dp underneath.  I attached a Tim Holtz glass dangly to the bale.


The flowers (I'm very proud of these as I'm a bit rubbish at making flowers, lol) are made from one of the smaller flowers in the Tattered Florals die - I've used colour core cardstock which I've sanded, then layered up 6 or 7 per flower, securing with a long fastener.


Our challenge this fornight is sponsored by:

Liz Welch 
of
Liz makes the most amazing creations with Friendly Plastic.  Click on the banner to visit her, where you will find Friendly Plastic in the most beautiful colours, along with gorgeous jewellery pendants and findings.
 I hope you find the time join in with us this fortnight, I'm really looking forward to seeing what you create.

Lastly, what on earth has happened to my text??? It's all over the place, I do apologise, blogger has a mind of it's own tonight!!!

I'd like to enter this into a couple of challenges:

Sarah Hurley Challenge Blog - Anything But A Card
Craft My Life: My All Crafts (3) - Anything Goes (except cards & layouts)

Thank you for your lovely comments recently, I do appreciate them very much.

Bye for now

Maria xxxxx

24 comments:

Suzanne B aka brookfies said...

Stunning, beautiful, gorgeous - nothing else to say! You know I love your hangings. Suz xxx

Vicky Hayes said...

This is utterly breathtaking Maria. I've sat here for ages drinking in all the little details - that beautifully layered background, the bird with its crackle-glaze and twig, the charm hanging off the key frame, the glass effect of the sentiment, and not forgetting those beautiful handmade flowers. A truly gorgeous piece of work! Vicky x

Vicky Hayes said...

I meant to add thank you for the name check too, I do appreciate it. Vicky x

Zoechaos said...

Gorgeous! Like Suzanne I'm running short of words to express my admiration of your art. the flowers are Brilliant, the whole hanging is a sensation. great challenge as well XOXO Zoe

craft-roomjulia said...

Hi Maz, well I can see why you were getting excited about this particular wall hanging because it is sensational. It's a wonderful composition and the flowers are perfect, (don't know why you say you are rubbish with that die). Love the sentiments, in fact love everything about it. Julia xxxxx

cebelica said...

This is sooooooo beautiful! I love the flowers and that key. The little birdie is adorable too. Hugs! xx

Paper Profusion said...

Stunningly beautiful Maria! A most wonderful layout of all the gorgeous elements with such a fabulous range of techniques used. An artful piece - literally ART FULL! Nicola x

Jean said...

Oh Maria this is fabulous. There are so many gorgeous elements in there including your pretty flowers. That is a great sentiment as well. Jean x

PS I get the same problem with the text in my blog sometimes especially when I try to move the picture about.It is very annoying when it looks good in draft and then goes haywire when you publish.

Debi said...

love your flowers! this is altogether just lovely, love the cracked glass effect too- great theme for this fortnight too :) debi x

Mervi said...

Hi Maria,
one gorgeous hanging again,
love this too, beautiful stamps and love the crackle effect!
Hugs;-))m

Words and Pictures said...

This is utterly beautiful, Maria! The crackle texture on the bird is simply stunning, and the tiny key cameo, and the flowers, and the sentiment - basically a completely wonderful hanging! Incredible inspiration for the challenge... thank you!
Alison x

Desire Fourie said...

Gorgeous Maria. Love the wall hanging idea and your beautiful sentiment.
Hugs Desíre {Doing Life}

hazel said...

A stunning wall hanging Maria - I love everything about it.
xxx Hazel.

Esther said...

ooh..Maz you should be very proud of those flowers, they are beautiful..as is the rest of this gorgeous hanging. Love that sentiment ! Thanks for challenging us all with a great theme..Esther xx

Unknown said...

I am now a new member of your blog and all I can say about this is it's a 'WOW FACTOR'..Kind of gorgeously beautiful hanging...the sentiment is lovely ...luv aNNie..

http://annieforeva.blogspot.com.au

sparklingblackrose said...

Just stunning Maria, I love it! Thank you so much for joining my All Crafts Challenge, hope to see you enter the new challenge starting tomorrow! Elaine-xxx-

fatmonica said...

I love this.It's stunning.Thanks for joining us at Sarah Hurley.

jaine drake said...

This is beautiful.Thanks for joining in with the challenge at Sarah Hurley.

Anonymous said...

Well look at you then !!! What an amazing piece of art and especially for someone who doesn't make their own embellishments. A sheer triumph totally gorgeous Maria and as Vicky says so much to drink in. I was totally mesmerized.

Marie

Anonymous said...

Lace may well be absent (you do disappoint me Maria!) but there is so much to interest the eye with all the different textures and elements and resin - resin is on my Wish List. My lovely friend Marie (Lost Bird Studio) has been using resin a lot recently and it made me want to work with it even moreso - I was apprehensive about ventilation issues but she says there are none. I now need to look into what equipment I will require, I belive a special light source is needed, is that correct?
I am rambling on - beautiful colours and that extra touch of colour from the flowers is a special touch.
Fabulous.
Wishes
Lynne

Betty said...

This is just gorgeous Maria. I have been browsing your blog and just love your creations. Thank you for popping by my blog and leaving such a lovely comment
Bettyxxx

Desire Fourie said...

Just gorgeous and I love those flowers.
Hugs
Desíre
{Doing Life – my personal blog}

Unknown said...

Maz I absolutely adore this, so much so I'm your latest follower! Love all the details of the different techniques you have used. Thanks for the sweet comment you left on my blog, it is much appreciated. Maddy x

Dr Sonia S V said...

WOW such a pretty creation..so many elements to look at and admire..love the dangler, the beautiful flowers, the embedded key and the crackled painting..gorgeous gorgeous.Also a big Thank you for appreciating my
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