Scrap N Grow

Posts Tagged ‘Nature’

Good Monday morning to everyone.  How was your weekend?  Our’s was a mixed bag of good things.  We finalized our initial plans with our contractor so he can begin framing our unfinished basement, I finished up last minute fall chores, and stocked up on holiday colored card stock at Archiver’s buy one get one incredible sale.  I must admit, I have never seen so many people crammed into a little 2 foot wide aisle before.  Fellow shoppers were pleasant and we all walked away with a great deal.  I also had time to catch up on my Compendium of Curiosities II challenges.  This week’s challenge entry includes this week’s and last week’s techniques rolled into one fun tag.  Linda Ledbetter over at Studio L3 is the host.  This week’s sponsor is The Funkie Junkie boutique.

Compendium of Curiosities II Challenge Entry for Weeks 26 and 27

This tag was so much fun to make.  For this tag, I followed the instructions for two techniques in Tim Holtz’s book, Compendium of Curiosities Volume II.  The first technique (last week’s technique) is called Krumpled Kraft Suede. Instructions are on page 40. This was a completely new technique for me and boy what an amazing technique it is.  It was so much fun.  I kept doing it over and over for a total of four times, each time in a different color. Colors used for the tags were Mustard Seed/Crushed Olive, Broken China, Vintage Photo, and Picket Fence.  I love the resulting feel of the tags afterwards. It is hard to believe it is paper and not suede.

Afterwards, I picked out various stamps to create a collage.  Stamps are Tim Holtz by Stampers Anonymous and were stamped with Ranger’s Jet Black Archival Ink. I added several Idealogy embellishments: Pen Nib, Films Strip, Tissue Tape, Muse Tokens, Mini Paper Clip, and a Plaquette.  The optical lens in the center is from Red Lead.  The second technique (this week’s technique) is called Alcohol Ink Palette, page 52. I applied various colors of Alcohol Ink to the filmstrip, optical lens, and the plaquette. This gave each of the elements a vintage, aged feel.

I am pleased with the results and love the eclectic elements included in this tag.  I hope you do too. I am glad that I could catch up on my challenges.  Each technique is fun as well as a great learning experience. I encourage you to enter yourself, entry deadline is Thursday evening.  Come join the fun.  Have a great day everyone!  Thank you for stopping by.

Michelle

Good afternoon everyone.  It certainly feels like fall here in Minnesota.  It is 65 and sunny. I finished this week’s Compendium of Curiosities II challenge this week late last night.  This week’s technique is riveted patchwork.  For those unfamiliar with this challenge…Linda Ledbetter over at Studio L3 hosts a new technique challenge each week from Tim Holtz’s latest book, Compendium of Curiosities II. This week’s challenge is being sponsored by the Funkie Junkie Boutique who is offering a $25 gift certificate to a lucky challenge participant.  This week’s technique is called riveted patchwork. Directions are on page 57 inside Tim’s Compendium of Curiosities II, Volume 2 book.  Below is my entry for this week’s challenge, a riveted patchwork bluebird.

Compendium of Curiosities II Challenge Entry Week 22: Riveted Patchwork Art Bird

Close Up of Close up of Riveted Patchwork Art Bird

This bird was so much fun to make.  I used a studio 490 Art Part as my base.  To start, I applied a base coat of Mars Black Windsor & Newton acrylic paint to the art part bird, wings, and dowel.  Next, I followed along using Tim’s instructions for riveted patchwork technique on page 57 with one variation.  In lieu of the technique’s recommended colors to use, I instead chose to use an assortment of blue’s for the body and orange for the belly.  I am pleased with how the colors turned out and really like how the alcohol ink color puddled in the texture created from the riveted patchwork technique. For the base, I used three scrap 3″ hickory coasters for the base and adhered the word fly. The letters are left over from a package of Ideology Grunge Blocks.  Lastly, I completed final assembly by using a drill to make a hole in the base and then inserted my art bird.

Thank you so much for stopping by today.  I am in the midst of completing a few remaining Paperie in Bloom projects for September.  Have a great afternoon.

Michelle

Good Evening Bloggers.  How are you?  Well today is special for a few reasons. First, I think I am finally starting to kick the summer cold I have been fighting for the past 2 weeks.  Second, I was able to catch up weeding in my gardens earlier today. Lastly and most importantly, I completed my configurations box for Linda Ledbetter’s Studio L3 special edition challenge.  Up for grabs is a giant goodies package from  Tim Holtz and Mario. Click here  for Linda’s blog.

Participants were given 2 weeks for this challenge as it is a big one and takes a bit more time to complete.  The directions for this technique can be found on pages 33 and 34 of Compendium of Curiosities Volume 2.  My completed configurations box has a garden/nature theme.

Compendium of Curiosities II Challenge Entry Weeks 11&12: Garden Configurations Box

I used Ideaology’s largest box and followed the instructions inside the book. Afterwards, I preselected my trinkets and pre planned each of the boxes.  I decided to print off coordinating background images from Google.  This is a fine thing to do so long as it is for personal use only.  Below is a picture showing the configurations box with just the background papers.

Garden Configurations Box With Background Papers

Below are close ups of the individual boxes along with a brief summary of supplies or techniques used. Starting in the upper left hand corner is a fractured girl doll. I used Ranger’s Alcohol Ink Filled Pens to give the girl clothes, skin tone, hair, and added a sunflower garden hat similar to one I wear while working in my gardens. The rusted watering can is a trinket from my stash.

Garden Configurations Box Close Up of Girl and Watering Can

Next is a seeds miniature display that I picked up awhile back on a shopping trip.

Garden Configurations Box Close Up Of Seed Packet Display

Upper right hand corner are Scrabble letters distressed using Walnut Stain Distress Ink. Below are miniature terra cotta pots that have been altered using Vintaj Patina. Inside each pot is a mini Styrofoam ball that has been painted green.

Garden Configurations Box Close Up of GROW and Garden Pots

Next is a miniature garden desk scene.  Scene includes an Ideology timepiece and a couple Maya Road Bingo motif pieces for accents. The desktop surface has a garden journal and pencil.

Garden Configurations Box Close Up of Garden Desk Scene

In the middle is a garden bench and tree.  The tree is a jewelry charm from Michael’s.  I altered the tree using Vintaj Patina.

Garden Configurations Box Close Up of Garden Bench Scene

Over to the the far left are some mushrooms, a watering hose, and a faucet.  The mushrooms are from Melissa Frances.  I added Walnut Stain Distress Ink to grungy them up and placed them into some Earth Textures by Elements to simulate dirt.  I love the effect.  The hose is a Jolee’s embellishment and the faucet is from Ideaology.

Garden Configurations box Close Up of Mushrooms and Faucet

In the lower left hand corner is a bird feeder suspended from a tree branch and a bird nest. I made the bird feeder from a piece of rolled mesh tape, painted it silver with Ranger Paint Dabber and used Glossy Accents to adhere feeder to a painted button.  I cut and painted toothpicks for feeder ports and filled the feeder with a few black oil sunflower seeds. The birds were created using a mini Punch A Bunch punch.  Lastly, I added a wire hanger and another button for the feeder’s cover.  For the nest, I started with a plain unadorned pre bought nest to which I added various feathers, excelsior, grass, twigs, strings, and 3 eggs.

Garden Configurations Box Close up of Bird Feeder and Bird's Nest

Bottom center is a trellis filled with Recollections roses.

Garden Configurations Box Close Up of Rose Trellis

Lastly, is a bird bath and a bird house.  The bird bath is a trinket filled with Glossy Accents to simulate water .  The metal bird house is from Michael’s.  I altered it using Vintaj Patina.  Afterwards, I added a bit of nesting material inside the house.

Garden Configurations Box Close Up of Bird Bath and Bird House

Afterwards, I completed the box by adding some Ideaology foundation feet.  I altered these with Vintaj Patina.  Below is the completed garden configurations box.

Compendium of Curiosities II Challenge Entry Weeks 11&12: Garden Configurations Box

The box was a lot of fun to put together.  To date, I have made a few and the possible themes for a box is endless. I invite you to make one yourself.  Thank you for stopping by. Please feel free to leave me a comment and tell me what you think.  Please stop back again soon.

Michelle

Good morning everyone!  How is your weekend going?  I am still battling my summer crud.  You would think I would begin to feel better after nearly a week of this.  Sick or not, I am determined to carry on as I have looming deadlines to meet this week. But first, I wanted to share a project I recently finished, an ostrich egg bird house.

Ostrich Egg Bird House

Earlier this spring, a dental patient of mine had gifted me several ostrich eggs.  Back in April, I experimented using various mediums on the outer surface of the shell. Click here to view that post.  Today’s project goal was really a personal challenge, to see if I could somehow re purpose an ostrich egg into a bird house.  I feel that I was successful and am pleased with the results. See the close ups below. All pictures can be clicked on for larger view.

Close Up of Ostrich Egg Bird House Bird Nest

Close Up Of Ostrich Egg Bird House Sign

Close Up Of Ostrich Egg Bird House Roof

Ostrich Egg Bird House Back View

Supplies Used:

Ostrich Egg

Roof: Balsa Wood purchased from Michael’s

Utility Knife and Ruler

E6000 Adhesive

6X6 Woodgrain Crafter’s Workshop Stencil

Windsor and Newton Acrylic Paint Raw Umber and Vandyke Brown

Liquitex Light Modeling Paste

Sign: Stampendous Clear Stamp Set- Nest Egg

Jet Black Archival Ink from Ranger

Walnut Stain Distress Ink for the edges

Screw Eye and Jump Ring from Tim Holtz’s Ideology Line

Scrap of Brown Card Stock

Nest: Bird Nest with Eggs came from my stash.  I added an assortment of  Twigs, Excelsior, String, Dried Leaves, and Feathers (Michael’s)

Bird: Purchased from Michael’s

Assembly: Everything was pretty straight forward  to create and assemble. I would like to comment about using E6000 adhesive. I used E6000 adhesive to adhere the roof top and the base to the ostrich egg because the product claims that it can bond anything together.  I agree, but one should note that E6000 has a profound odor and definitely would recommend to work with this adhesive in a well ventilated area.  The one drawback I found with E6000 is its drying time.  Until my adhesive initially set, I found that I needed to prop up things around the house to help ensure that the roof top dried in the right place as it seemed to want to slide back wards at an angle.  Same thing for the placement of the egg to the base, I surrounded the egg with props to ensure the correct placement of the egg on the base. I think the drying time is dependant upon your climate and for my are, it took a good day to dry.

I intended for this bird house to be purely decorative and am going to give it to the wonderful dental patient who gifted me a nice supply of ostrich eggs.  I think she will appreciate seeing her eggs transformed into works of art.

I encourage you leave me a comment and/or questions you may have about my ostrich egg birdhouse.  Thank you for stopping by and I hope that you will come back again.

Michelle

Good evening everyone.  I am excited that I was on the ball this week and already completed my entry for this week’s Studio L3‘s weekly challenge. Each week, Linda selects a technique from Tim Holtz’s latest edition of Compendium of Curiosities II. This week’s challenge is pocket watches and is sponsored by Simon Says Stamp.  There is no technique really associated with this challenge, but page 35 in Tim’s book does provide tips for you to create your own pocket watch.

I have to admit that I was ecstatic on Friday when I checked Linda’s sight for this week’s challenge. Almost immediately the ideas began to flow and cultivate.  After considering my list of possibilities, I decided to create my top three ideas: a garden inspired, a nature inspired, and of course a time inspired one.  My schedule on Saturday allowed time for me to stop at both Joann’s and Michael’s to search for trinkets that would fit inside each of  the pocket watches. I was pleased to find garden trinkets as I was unsure how available they would be locally.  Below are my three completed pocket watches.

Compendium of Curiosities II Challenge Entry Week 9

The home pocket watch features bird feathers, twigs, string, and excelsior that accommodate two bird eggs against a wood veneer backdrop.  The word home is a chit chat sticker from Tim Holtz’s Ideaology line. The Ideaology bird accouterment is attached with a jump ring to the pocket watch.

Close Up of Home Pocket Watch

The time pocket watch is Tim Holtz inspired.  Tim’s book features a similar pocket watch that I liked.  I am so glad that Tim introduced mini sprocket gears as they fit well inside the watch.  I used various gears and a game spinner.  The backdrop is a snippet from his Shabby Chic paper line. Lastly, I attached a Ideaology swivel clasp to the pocket watch.

Close Up of Time Pocket Watch

The garden pocket watch is a compilation of trinkets.  The watering can, garden rake, and shovel are charms that I found at Joann’s.  The metal flower is by Making Memories and the glove is a jewelry component from Bead Landing that I purchased from Michael’s. The letters are beads as well and come from Michael’s too.  The background is a flower encyclopedia stamp that I stamped onto green card stock.

Close Up of Garden Pocket Watch

I hesitated afterwards to add a chain or ribbon to the home and garden watches as I would like to keep them for use in an upcoming configurations box.

The watches were very fun to create and I am very pleased with how they turned out.  Thank you so much for stopping by and I hope that you will come back again soon.

Michelle

Good afternoon.  I wanted to check in with you this weekend and share a project I recently completed.  I titled it “Recycled Stamp Art”.

Recycled Stamp Art

Last summer I unmounted all my wood mounted stamps and remounted them to cling cushion. This was no small task as I quickly realized that I have a very large stamp collection.  Upon completion of the task which took nearly 3 months, I amassed quite the collection of wood blocks.  As I unmounted each stamp, I tossed the leftover wood block into a box.  Afterwards, for whatever reason, I hesitated to burn or throw them away as I thought that maybe the images on the blocks could be reused somehow, someday. Not knowing what I would wanted to do with the blocks, I stored them in our unfinished basement.

Recently, I was on a few different online forums reading various discussions about people who were in the process of un-mounting their wood stamps.  The ongoing discussions included people sharing ideas of how to possibly reuse them.  While none of the ideas really spoke to me, the discussions did instead spark me to brainstorm my own ideas.  Today’s project, “Recycled Stamp Art” is one of my several brainstorm of ideas.

My vision and intention for today’s idea was to artfully arrange select images inside a frame or onto a board or canvas in a collage style.  So on my next stop to Michael’s, I perused their framing department for ideas.  There were several beautiful frames but all seemed a bit over the top.  I moved on and continued to browse the store’s various departments and came across a viable option in the art department.  The end cap display had various sizes of unprimed wooden cradle boards 1 inch deep. I checked the depth using a wood block that I brought with and the stamp block sits slightly higher than the frame of the board.  I thought that this would be a great option to try.  I selected the largest size they had, 16X20 size, and purchased it using a 50%off a regular priced item coupon.

A few days later when I had ample time, I resurrected my lonely box of unmounted wood stamp blocks from the basement and began to sort through them and selected a few favorite images. This was more challenging than I anticipated as I liked them all.  After I selected my desired images, I artfully arranged them.  This turned out to a complex jigsaw puzzle.

After I was pleased with the arrangement, I had the idea to add a splash of color to a few for added interest. I colored select images using Distress Markers.  I then decided to add additional dimension to the collage by mounting select images to an additional block underneath. While this added additional weight to the already heavy piece, I was pleased with the added dimension.

Next, I decided to paint the board a matte black using acrylic paint to match other frames that I currently have. Once dry, I applied hot glue and mounted the stamps. Early in the process, I found that the hot glue was not adhering as firmly as I desired. So I instead decided to try double sided sticky tape. This worked well and held each block securely in place. After I completed adhering each stamp block, I attached 2 sawtooth hangers on the backside of the board for hanging. This piece is heavy and will need to be hung to a studded wall for sure.

Overall, once the images were selected, the process to complete this collage was fairly quick and easy.  I liked that I was able to re purpose  my wood blocks.  I also would like to tell you that I intended to have this collage coincide with the topic of how I store my stamps. I have quite a system that requires more time than I have today to be comprehensive.  I would also like to forewarn you that I likely will not post again till early next week as I have one more large section of my deck yet to stain, a graduation party to attend, and a few remaining decorative containers to plant. Don’t despair, in addition, behind the scenes of Scrap N Grow, I am diligently working on completion of Tim Holtz’s June Tag of 2012, Studio L3′s Compendium of Curiosities II challenge, and die cutting a giant poppies bouquet .  Lots of great projects are forthcoming, I hope that you will stay tuned.  Thank you for stopping by and I hope that you will visit again soon.

Michelle

Good morning to you!  It is a very soggy day here so I plan to play in my studio and embrace my official last day of vacation. Yesterday I posted my challenge entry for Studio L3′s Compendium of Curiosities II week 6 challenge, and in that post I stated that I made several attempts before committing to completing the tag I presented.  Well yesterday afternoon I made my second best attempt and forced myself to make something of a tag I had set aside for discard.  Today’s featured tag is titled “Fly Free”.

"Fly Free" Tag

I began by following the technique for tissue collage, but forget to add my grunge paper die cut element per the instructions on page 38 of Tim’s book.  I did not do this intentionally, but it was this reason that I originally elected to abandon this tag, hence this tag would not have met the challenge’s instructions.

For this tag, I used Tims’ bird cage and hanging sign post element for the focal point images. The images were cut from grunge paper using my Vagabond.  I die cut the bird cage two times and glued only the outside edges together to create a 3D birdcage.  Afterwards, I created an opening for the bird to “fly free” by simply cutting the center bar out the front cage. Unfortunately, the bird elected to perch atop the sign hanger instead of truly flying away.

For added interest and dimension, I added some Prima pearl bling behind the hanging bird cage. Next, I created the word fly out of Tim’s Ideaology line of letterpress grunge blocks. Final assembly included using 2 thicknesses of pop dots behind the bird cage hanger to enable the cage to hang freely without obstruction.  I colored the bird with Distress markers and pop dotted him to perch on top of the bid cage hanger, dyed some vanilla Stampin Up seam binding ribbon to coordinate, and added a F type charm to the top of the bird cage.

Thank you for stopping by, I hope that you liked today’s attempt #2 tag.  I hope that you come back again soon.

Note: I will be back later this weekend with more inspiring projects as tomorrow (Friday) is supposed to be the only nice day till next Tuesday.  See you then.

Michelle

Welcome to week 5 of Compendium of Curiosities II challenge hosted by the lovely Linda Ledbetter over at Studio L3.  This week’s challenge is being sponsored by Simon Says Stamp. The technique for this week can be found on page 48 of Compendium of Curiosities Volume II and is called Shattered Stains.

Compendium of Curiosities II Challenge Entry Week 5

To begin, I applied the new Squeezed Lemonade Distress Ink to the left side of a manila tag. Accidentally, my tag picked up a tinge of the Postmark Red Dylusions spray that I used previously on my non stick craft sheet. OOPs!  It ended up being a happy accident though as it intensified the yellow to emulate a warm sunny look. I then took another tag and applied Symphony tissue tape horizontally across the tag covering the entire surface and die cut the word Journey along the left side of the tag using Tim’s mover and shapers die. Afterwards, I used the new Peacock Feathers Distress ink to apply to color to the background.  Next, I used foam tape and adhered the two tags together so that the yellow tag shadowed the word journey underneath. I feel the foam tape provided added depth and dimension.

Next, I used a scrap piece of cardboard and die cut “grass” using Tim’s on the edge Twigs die.  Afterwards, I carefully peeled the top paper layer away to expose the corrugated appearance.  I felt that the vertical lines emulated grass.  I then painted the grass with Adirondack Lettuce paint dabber and sprayed Sour Apple Perfect Pearl’s mist afterwards for added shimmer.  Next, I chose to add some flowers in the grass using assorted flowers from Tim’s Ideaology line.  I adhered these flowers to the grass stems using Glossy Accents.

Moving on, the butterflies which were die cut and colored following the Shattered Stains technique in Tim’s book. I embellished each butterfly with a Ideaology Game Spinner colored with Pitch Black alcohol ink.  I shaped butterflies and adhered to tag using a back pop dot.

Lastly, I dyed Stampin Up’s Vanilla seam binding ribbon using Peeled Paint Distress Stain and threaded the tag’s hole for a nice finish.  This tag came together pretty quickly to my amazement.  It was a fun technique and really pushed me to use what I had in my stash already.

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope that you will come back again soon.

Michelle

Welcome and thank you for stopping by.  Today I am posting my challenge entry for week 3. Linda at Studio L3 is hosting a weekly challenge based on techniques in Tim Holtz’s latest book, Compendium of Curiosities II.  This week’s challenge, “Marbled Stain” is on page 46.  This weeks challenge is sponsored by Eclectic Paperie who is offering a $25 gift certificate.

To begin, I read through Tim’s technique, grabbed my supplies and began to practice and experiment with the technique to the tune of 15 times (see picture below)!

Marbled Stain Tags

While I feel that the tags turned out fine, I do not feel that they resemble “marbled” to me.  The pictures in Tim’s directions appear truly “marbled” to me.  Despite the results, I did not let this stop me from moving on. So after some brainstorming about how to finish the tags, I decided to use them as paper to create something.  After brainstorming a bit more about what “something” was actually going to be, I came up with the idea of a pocket watch.

Compendium of Curiosities Challenge Entry Week 3

The pocket watch is a Studio 490 Art part from Wendy Vecchi.  I painted this with Silver Ranger paint dabber.  I then cut to fit a blue marbled stain tag paper to the back of the pocket watch and overlayed  this with Tim’s  music tissue roll paper .  I then applied a generous coat of Rock Candy Distress Crackle Paint and set aside to dry overnight.  In the meantime, I cut out several flowers using my marbled stain tags and Tim’s Tattered Floral Decorative Strip die.  I then used my green marbled tags to cut the leaves for the branch.  The bird and branch were cut from Grungepaper.  I then inked the bird using Distress Inks and painted the branch with Vintage Photo Distress Crackle Paint.  The word sing (leftover letters from a previous project) is adhered to a banner cut from Tim’s Tattered Banner die.  The next day, I completed the final assembly and added dyed Tumbled Glass Distress Stain seam binding ribbon for a string/tie.  This pocket watch was a bit tedious but I am very pleased with the end result. I am still unsure how I will use this pocket watch or if I just may include it as a trinket in a future shadowbox project.

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope that you will come back again soon.

Michelle

Welcome.  The weather is finally nice here in Minneapolis, Minnesota, 65 degrees and sunny. Today’s project was inspired after cleaning the debris from my remaining gardens, particularly around my butterfly bush (Buddleia) plants.  I am always amazed at the variety of butterflies that I observe throughout each growing season. The butterflies colors are amazing, but my favorite butterfly has to be the monarch.  I just love their bold color and their bold color makes them easier to spot and watch.

"Take Flight"

I began today’s project began with an 11X14 canvas to which I applied various shades of blue, white, and gray acrylic paints in order to create a sky backdrop.

I chose black card stock to outline the borders of the butterflies and various shades of orange  for the interior color of the butterflies.  I envisioned a monochromatic flight of butterflies overlapping a bit. I used Spellbinders Grand Shapeabilities Die set called Wonderful Wings.  For each butterfly, I cut 2 layers of each color both orange and black and adhered right sides facing out so that each butterfly would look beautiful when viewed from either the top, or the bottom. Next, I shaped and posed each butterfly into an artful arrangement attempting to simulate a “flight” of butterflies.  Afterwards, I adhered each butterfly with Inkessentials Matte Accents to the painted canvas.

Lastly, the title was welded using my Provocraft Gypsy, then die cut using my Cricut Expression. I applied the title to the canvas using Mod Podge Matte finish.  I just love how this canvas turned out.  This canvas will soon be hung on my gallery wall inside my art studio.

Thank you so much for  visiting and I hope that you will come back again soon.

Michelle