wings of time

Hi everyone, Ann here today, sharing an ATC shrine that I call "wings of time."
From the moment I set eyes on the ATC Shrine-Time, I envisioned a Fornasetti face within the circular clock area of the door, but I was unsure where I would take it from there. I put off working on the project for a while and finally decided that it would be best to simply start and see where it would lead...
I apologize for the lack of process photos in this post, it seems once I started working, I was so intent on creating that I forgot to stop and capture all the steps. My hope is that my description is easily understandable.

I begin by painting all the pieces of the ATC Shrine-Time black. Then I locate the image that I intend to place within the clock face. I trace the outermost edge of the circle (clock) shape onto the graphic and fussy cut. A piece of black cardstock is adhered to the reverse side of the image so that when the door to the shrine is open, it will appear as a solid plane. Before adhering the face piece, I emboss the clock hands on the shrine door. This is easily accomplished with a VersaMark pen and gun metal embossing powder. I heat set the powder on the exterior surface and then complete the same process on the inside. I let the embossing cool and then adhere the image that has been cut to size in place.  Once the iconic image is set, the project seems to direct itself.

I know that at some point I would like the shrine to be functional, a place to store artist trading cards. For this reason, the interior of the shrine is not embellished with protruding objects. Everything inside is kept fairly flat. The rear panel of the shrine is covered with a piece of black and white tweed pattern paper. I ink the paper with hickory smoke and milled lavender distress ink to coordinate with the Fornasetti image. A sentiment is layered onto wilted violet oxide-inked cardstock and attached to the back panel reading "REMEMBER YOUR WINGS."
A stamped and colored butterfly is attached to the solid black circle on the inside of the shrine door. The butterfly's body is an embossed clock hand from the GSLC Steampunk Shape Set.

The Rear of the shrine contains a Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Butterfly of Gears. I love this chipboard piece. It is sold as a set of two identical butterflies, I am only using one for this piece, but I already have a plan for the second butterfly.

The butterfly has been painted with seedless preserves distress paint and then dipped in wilted violet oxide ink to create a beautiful finish. Some of the steampunk cogs and gears are embossed, as well as the body, and tips of the wings. I use the same method that was used for the shrine's clock hands, a VersaMark pen and gun metal embossing powder. When the embossing has cooled, Ideaology metal embellishments are adhered to the butterfly with collage medium. Once the collage medium is dry, the butterfly is attached to the rear panel with collage medium and set aside.  A big chat "FLY" sticker is inked with wilted violet oxide ink and then attached below the butterfly.

I secure a ball hitch through the circular opening on one of the clock hands of the shrine door. This becomes a knob that allows easy access to the shrine's interior. I also emboss four wooden beads and attach these to the base of the shrine to raise it up off the surface it stands on. The crown atop the shrine is another piece from the Steampunk Shape Set. This set has so many pieces, I find myself reaching for it often to use on my projects. The crown has been colored with wilted violet distress oxide and then splattered with seedless preserves paint. The tops and back side of the crown has been embossed with gun metal embossing powder.

I really like the way that this ATC shrine turned out. The Gypsy Soul laser cuts store has many different ATC Shrine styles, from nautical, to steampunk, and everything in between. It's definitely worth checking out! I hope that you are inspired to create something of your own, perhaps something that you have put off because you are unsure of how it will turn out. You will never know if you don't start somewhere.

Thanks so much for stopping by the blog today,
 I really appreciate you taking the time.
~Ann

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts used:
ATC Shrine - Time
Butterfly of Gears
Steampunk Shape Set

steampunk spinner - ink pad storage

Hi everyone, today I am super excited to share my new distress oxide ink storage solution. I have been searching for a way to keep my inks organized and readily available while I am creating. Up to this point, they have been stacked along the back edge of my drafting table. This was a handy location, yet each time I wanted a specific color, I would have to unstack and re-stack all of the inks... needless to say, it was quite a task and, often resulted in a tumbling tower of ink pads. I noticed that Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts was making ink storage solutions for different brands of ink and mentioned the idea for Distress (square) ink pad storage. Wow, am I ever happy that I did!

The Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Square Ink Pad Storage (12 inks) is sold in sets that accommodate 12 ink pads. Four of those sets can be combined to create a tower, and with the addition of the Square Ink Pad Storage Base and Bin Add-on, the tower is raised off the surface with a base and spinner and the top becomes a bin for additional storage. There is also a kit (coming soon) that will add four sections of three additional slots. This can be placed atop the 12 slot pieces and thus accommodate the full Distress Ink or Distress Oxide palette. For this project I have used four Square Ink Pad Storage units as well as the Add-on. I am looking forward to adding the additional set so that I am able to store my full ink pad collection all together. 

To begin, I first paint all of the pieces with black spray paint. I choose spray paint because of the large number of pieces and I also thought that it would give a nice finish for the ink pads to slide in and out of their slots. The sturdy chipboard does not require painting; I wanted it to match some of the elements in my studio.

Next, I set about constructing the four basic storage "towers". A quick dry glue works great for this step. I begin with the back piece (the one with all of the slots) flat on my table and apply a thin line of glue to the edges of each "shelf." I then slip the shelf piece into the corresponding slot.

 Every shelf is inserted before I attach a side. When the side is in place and all shelf tabs are locked in, I attach the opposite side. The pieces fit securely and I did not even need to use any clamps to hold it together. Once the back, sides and shelves have dried, I attach the top and bottom pieces to each "tower".

Repeat this process four times for each storage "tower." When all of the tall rectangular storage towers are assembled, they are placed side by side, rotating each a quarter turn to form a tall "cube". 

Once they are each facing the correct direction, you can use glue to secure the sides that are adjacent to each other. This will further stabilize the unit. The storage base and bin add-on contains a square chipboard piece that will be adhered to the bottom of the unit and this is also where the spinner is attached. I used a strong adhesive to attach the spinner to the center of the base and set it aside to dry completely before attaching the combined piece to the base of the "tower cube". 

Beside each column of ink storage is a blank space, I thought it would be fun to make pieces of art for each of these sections. I create the artwork using my inks, stamps, and stencils. When I am creating, I want to be able to quickly find the ink colors I am searching for. To make it easier to know which colors are located on each side, I ink the background for that particular side with the colors that will be located in that column. 

For example, if I am looking for one of my green ink pads, I can spin the unit to the side that has a background consisting primarily of green and then I will easily be able to find the color green I am looking for. As you can see in the following photos, each artwork represents the colors that are located on that side of the cube. The spinner at the base make it easy to turn the unit until I have located my desired color palette.

Next, I assemble the bin for the top of the unit. This is a simple task of inserting the tabs into their corresponding slots with adhesive. The bin pieces can be painted before or after it is assembled. I chose to paint it first. I also created a strip of inked paper to coordinate with the inks that I will store in the bin until the 4 smaller sections are available. I stamped and stenciled this strip in a similar style and design to the ones that are located on the cube. 

I am so excited to have my inks organized in an easy to use storage solution that can be altered in any way that suits my fancy. I love the look of the steampunk designs; however, if I ever want to change it up, all I need to do is create some more strips of art and adhere them over the steampunk ones. 

If you have been searching for a storage solution for those square ink pads that is economical and can match any decor, I hope you will consider the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Square Ink Pad Storage (12 Inks) 

Thank you so much for stopping by today!

~Ann

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Used:

Square Ink Pad Storage Base and Bin Add-on

Square Ink Pad Storage (12 Inks)

Spring toadstool fairy exploding canvas

Hi Everyone,
Jess here today.  The weather has been so nice here.  Flowers are blooming and pretty soon we will start seeing the baby ducks in our little neighborhood lake.  It's also the time of year when I start to make fairies.  Ah, who am I kidding I love to make fairies all year round!

A couple years back I made an exploding canvas and I totally loved the process.  I decided it was time to make a new one and this time I gave it a little twist.  I knew I wanted a tiny fairy so my canvas had to be small  too.
I started by covering a 5x5 canvas with Tim Holtz Collage paper.  I used collage medium to adhere it to the canvas and coated the top too.  I dried it with a heat gun.  Once the collage paper was dry I used texture paste and a flower stencil to add detail to the top and bottom corners.

I sprayed the canvas using Distress Oxide Spray in Peeled Paint, Vintage Photo, and Iced Spruce.

 I added paint splatter in black(Distress Black Soot) and gold(Dina Wakley Ancient).   I used Distress Crayon in Lucky Clover to enhance the texture paste flowers. At the end I decided to add a bit of Worn lipstick and Picked Raspberry Crayon to the flowers too. 

Once the paint was dry I flipped the canvas over and used a different collage paper to line the inside of the canvas.  I blasted it with the heat gun and then cut the canvas up.  You can see the cut lines.  This is the scariest part of the whole process, but the outcome is fabulous.  

Before I started prepping my canvas I took the Mini Shadowbox set and put together a couple of the boxes I thought might fit into the frame.  Once I had one that fit right I started working on the canvas.  I didn't want to get this far into the thing just to discover that what I thought it would look like in my head would not work out at all. 

After the canvas was cut I glued the pieces to the front of the canvas creating an opening.  

For the hollow, I wound up using the smallest of the shadowboxes.  The fun thing about the box this size is that it doesn't take much paper to cover it.  I spritzed a manila tag with Worn Lipstick Oxide Spray and let it air dry.  The air drying seems to make it oxidize a bit better(it also could be my imagination).I gave it a quick mist of water on either side and ran it through my 3d Kaleidoscope  embossing folder.  This one tag covered the entire outside of my box with some to spare! I sanded the tag a bit and added some Distress Crayon in Gathered Twigs to highlight the raised areas.  

For an added detail I ran metal plumbing tape through my impresslit folder.I colored it using gold, latte, and caramel alcohol inks.   

I cut the manila tag to cover the outside of the shadowbox I used the faux dresden to cover the edges.  The edge of the dresden is the perfect size to cover the edge of the chipboard. 

The inside of the box was lined with paper and washi tape.  I really just wanted the little flowers to peep through in the back there.  I added some spun cotton toadstools, moss, and a teeny paperdoll.  The new Tim Holtz  wings work perfectly on this guy.  

To finish the canvas I colored seam binding using the Worn Lipstick Oxide spray and a bit of Tea Dye Distress Spray.  I made a fluffy bow and added a word band. In the top corner, opposite from the bow, I added a flower cluster with some additional moss.    

Happy Spring! 

Jess

Does the bell still ring for you?

Hi Everyone,
Jess here today.
One of my favorite Christmas stories is The Polar Express.  Today's project is a little nod to the book.

When I started this project I didn't think I wanted a tag as long as the Extra Large Tag (it's 8 inches long and 4 inches wide), so I cut off a big chunk.  Thankfully I saved the piece I cut off because as my project evolved I knew I needed it!
Start by painting the entire tag white and then stamping a line of music notes all over the back using Distress Oxide ink in Hickory Smoke.  Then seal the ink using Distress Micro Glaze.  Once the micro glaze is on add Vintage Distress Collage Medium to the entire piece.  The thicker the glaze, the darker the color.

Next paint a piece of Distress Collage tissue. The collage tissue is black and white, but it can be colored.  Pick the area you want to show and on the backside apply your paint.  The paint doesn't have to be perfect, but it shouldn't go too far outside the lines(unless that's the look you're going for). 

Once the paint is dry adhere it to the bottom of the tag.  The tissue blends in so well it looks like it was part of the background all along.  

Add a bit of Charred Gold embossing powder around the edge of the entire piece.  

Paint the Frame in Tarnished Brass Distress Paint.  Once it is dry add Deco Art's Crackle Glaze.  The glaze makes teeny cracks, like you see on old china.  When the glaze is dry rub Distress Crayon in the cracks to make them pop.  Glue the frame to the tag. Using a bit of foam tape, add a piece of patterned paper inside the frame.  Color your paper doll and adhere her to the patterned paper(she's popped up with a bit of foam tape too). Add a teeny bell to her hand.    

The paper doll had a little paper tassel on her hat, but mine ripped off.  So to give her hat a makeover color a baubble using Spun Sugar Distress Paint.  Once the paint is dry add a bit of mushroom alcohol ink to age it a bit.  You can see the tiny cracks in the frame a bit better here too.  

Using the Tim Holtz festive foliage die make a bunch of flowers to adhere to the corner of the frame. 

Now here is the part when I decided I wanted to add more to my tag.  My sentiment wasn't working the way I thought it would and it just needed more.  I took the part I had cut off earlier and glued it to the base creating a little shelf.  Color the fringe using spray ink and alcohol ink and glue it to the base.  

Paint a salvaged santa using Distress Paint and Alcohol inks.  Once the paint is dry rub Distress Crayon to pick up the nooks and crannies. Paint the deer using gold alcohol ink.  Glue them all to the base.

On the opposite side glue a bottle brush tree decorated with vintage mercury glass. 

After that it's just finishing touches! 

I hope the bell always rings for you. 

Have you started your Christmas crafting?

Jess

Greetings from Regions Beyond

Hi Everyone,

Jess here today with a wicked little vignette box.

Start by taking a wooden vignette box and layering it on top of your Mini Botanical Journaling Block.  The blocks come in a set of three, so you can play with different sizes.

Cut the house out of the Haunted House Oval.  Trim it down so it fits inside the vignette box.  Emboss the piece with Emerald Creek's Mercury Rising embossing powder.

Treat the outside of the box using Distress Oxide inks in Forest Moss, Hickory Smoke, and Ground Espresso. 

Add a crackle medium.  I really glopped it on so it looks chunky. Mixed with the Forest Moss Oxide ink the box looks a bit moldy.  Moldy is good at Halloween time!

Add paper to the back of the box and glue it in place.  Glue the house to the background.  Add fabric tape all around the edges of the shadowbox and set it aside. 

Use the largest of the Mini Botanical Journaling Blocks and cover the entire piece with gesso.

Add your sentiment cut from the Tim Holtz Halloween script, Christmas Script, and Holiday Words.  

Time to start adding Distress Crayon.     

Add crayon and move it around using your fingers.  

Cover the front using the same technique.  Add more saturated colors on the flowers and leaves. A bit of Distress Paint in Tarnished Brass gets smudged all around the edge of the block. 

Cut the bats and moon out of the Haunted House Oval.  Emboss the bats using the mercury rising powder.  Emboss the moon using Charred Gold.  

Glue the shadowbox to the center of the journaling block.  Add the bats to the front of the box.  Glue in a Tim Holtz tombstone with rub ons added.  Glue on the paperdoll.  Don't forget to give her a bouquet of dead flowers wrapped in mummy cloth. Cut a small slit around her hand and she appears to actually be holding the bouquet.

Make a bunch of tiny tattered florals and glue them in a cascade on the top of the vignette box.  A bit of leftover mummy cloth from the bouquet was put to good use up here.  A tiny skull bead aged with mushroom alcohol ink adds an element of surprise. 

Add a wooden finial that has been painted with Black Soot Distress Paint and a bit of Tarnished Brass. A bit of fabric tape that is around the edge of the box is wrapped around the finial.  Mummy cloth and a few more flowers complete the base. 

Here's the back of the Mini Botanical Journaling block all done up.

Happy Haunting!

Jess