17 November 2012

Birdhouse Blues

Hi everyone and many apologies for the lack of commenting over the past couple of days. This project has kept me busy/frustrated, as has life (you know, too many tasks too little time, and a migraine to boot). Anyway, I HAD to get this done for Hels' challenge before it closes tonight! For those who popped by on Wednesday do you remember the MDF birdhouse and leaves?


It started life a blank birdhouse shape from the MDFman (bought at the NEC) and when I posted on Wednesday I had got as far as stencilling on some moulding paste, painting on gesso and then covering the whole thing in Gingerbread VersaMagic (see HERE).


Having blended over Distress Inks (Stormy Sky/Dusty Concord/Walnut Stain/Pine Needles) I needed to make the surface durable. Cue a layer of Ranger Glue n Seal. Hmmm, as I patted it on gently the whole thing started to go mottely (technical term) and pale! ARRRRGGHH!!


 So, I walked away (OK, got on with umpteen chores) and thought about it. Then I decided to add alcohol inks - same colours - over the top. This worked, but made the whole thing too dark. So finally I rubbed over the surface gently with some alcohol blending solution and hey presto!


Next I added the plywood bird and key (Crafty-emblies) colouring both with alcohol inks. The key was sealed but I left the bird 'naked' as it looked wrong shiny.


The bird and birdhouse charms came courtesy of my crafty friend Anne - she sent them to me ages ago and I have been saving them for something special. They were distressed slightly with alcohol inks. The chain came off one end of a charity shop necklace. Get me - I came over all handyman and  nailed it on with a hammer! No shifting that now:)


Next job the leaves. They were a combination of kraft glassine, brown paper, inks (alcohol and distress) and embossing powders, followed by a few hours of cutting out as I didn't know how many I would need and had to make too many. There was more freedom with colours this time so I could go even more lifelike with the maple leaves and add in some ivy.


I trailled them over the roof edge and then over the key.


Final job, adding some 'berries', well seed beads and Distress Stickles aplenty. Seems easy? Trouble is hindsight is a wonderful thing, and you can start with an idea of what to do (unless you are copying your own or someone else's project). Still, I got there in the end, and the boys' bus fares will now be housed somewhere nicer than a plastic bag!

Right, this is being entered into the following challenges;

I will be getting round to visit everyone over the next few days and catch up with the wonderful projects out there. In the meantime thankyou for dropping by and leaving your comments. They mean so much.
Keep crafting! Hugs, Buttons xxx

39 comments:

  1. WOW This is stunning, absolutely love that embossing on the body of the birdhouse, do you know what it's called please?

    Great colours eventually, glad it all worked out!!

    Sam xxx

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  2. Just gorgeous Buttons! I love the leafy roof and your charms. Sorry to hear you've been laid low with a migraine - horrible things. Vicky x

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  3. OMG! Fantastic!!!!!! I love the raised stenciled look and the colours are fabulous. The leaves on the roof are a touch of genius, I reckon. xoxo

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  4. Wowee Buttons! A totally amazing creation. All the detail is just awesome and love the colours on there. Can see it must have taken an age to do but well worth all that effort.
    Sorry about the migraine and hope you're feeling recovered now.
    Hugs, Fliss xx

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  5. Firstly, I hope you're feeling better now, migraine is awful.
    Secondly, this is totally amazing!!!! I love all the texture, the way you've ended up with the most awesome (hate that word!) colours and the little additions all over just make this your VERY BEST piece for me so far. Can you tell I love this?!!!
    Enjoy the rest of your weekend you clever little person.
    Juliaxx

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  6. Forgot to say: I hope your boys will be very careful when they take out their bus fares! Better still, can't you take it out instead Mummy???
    xxxx

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  7. Buttons
    WOW WOW WOW
    So much work but it was well worth it as this is a stunning creation.
    Really fabulous.
    Wishes
    Lynne

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  8. Buttons, this is an amazing piece! The colours, textures, charms work brilliantly together.Very clever! Have a great week. Cheers, Di

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  9. Hi Buttons I hope your headache has gone? Your bird box is wonderful. I love the texture and the darkish colours as it indeed looks like something a wonderful bird or two would like to hide away in.

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  10. Firstly, so sorry you have had a migraine, hope it is properly gone now! Well it was certainly worth the wait for this fabulous project. The raised stencilling is amazing, I love the colours and the leaves are so realistic looking. A total mini masterpiece Buttons, you should be very proud of this achievement! I am for you... Crafty hugs, Anne x

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  11. Glorious! That's what I call a piece of altered art... So glad I talked you into the text stencil!! The whole thing looks stunning - and without all those layers of trial and error, it probably wouldn't have the amazing depth of patina that it now - gorgeously - has. Brilliant!
    Alison xx

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  12. Hello Jenny
    A-for amazing, this is a wonderful piece of Art. The texture, dimension, elements and the rich unique colour palette using mixed -media have come together beautifully.
    I do not think it is too dark, it is perfect for my eye.
    A tip: If you ever want to brighten up a palette use a yellow wash.
    Have a great day.
    Smiles:)
    Sue

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  13. Hope you are feeling better now.

    This is just terrific and the birds will flock to live there I reckon. You have turned an MDF piece into something magical.

    Love Chrissie xx

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  14. Hi Buttons, ooooh this is stunning, love it, the gorgeous metallic effect is so shimmery; brilliant stencilling too. Have a great Sunday. xx

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  15. Its fabulous - well worth all the faffing about - funny how that works isnt it. Hope you enjoyed the NEC and didnt spend too much!

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  16. Wow - a stunning birdhouse. No wonder you didn't have much time to comment!! Love the texture and colours you've achieved and the lovely birdie on the chain. Great that you persevered with it!!

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  17. Lots of gorgeous textures going on here, I love it!

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  18. Wow - what can I say? This is stunning and has well repaid all the effort and hassle it caused to come up with this wonderful result. Just love it.

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  19. Absolutely stunning Buttons. I love this project. The textures are amazing and I love the colours. So much to look at.

    Although challenging you can see that you had fun creating it.

    Wonderful x

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  20. I'm missing words, that's a wonderful house, so many beautiful details.
    Have a wonderful sunday.

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  21. WOW! Oh! WOW! oh! WOW! this is beyond words.
    What stunning colours you have managed to achieve along with fabulous texture.
    Happy Crafting

    Patricia x

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  22. Me again, I am so amazed at this project I had to go back for another look. I just love your work, think it might be a bit "messy" for me, but oh! how I would love to have a go.

    Patricia xx

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  23. Wow Buttons, your beautiful bird box has taken my breath away. To call it fabulous would just be an understatement. You must be thrilled with it too. Enjoy your Day. Hugs Rita xx

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  24. You HAVE been busy - I was wondering where you were, now I see what you were up to! Must be hours of work in this one - attention to detail is just great! xx Keren

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  25. Hi Buttons - this is FAB-U-LOUS!!! Love every aspect of it. So so wonderful. Nicola x

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  26. This bird house is gorgeous! Love all the texture on it. The charms are so pretty as well. Wow! Hugs, Sandra

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  27. Wow, wow, and wow again!!! This is totally FABULOUS!!! I absolutely adore everything about it!. The textures, colours, idea, just everything!!! Amazing!!

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  28. Super duper birdhouse love all the texture you have created;) Thanks for playing at The Artistic Stamper this month.
    xoxo Sioux

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  29. Gorgeous...gorgeous Alison, what a struggle, but it was worth all the effort. The birdhouse is great!!!
    No...Stunning!!!

    Pinned it...greetings, ALie :-)

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  30. This is absolutely stunning. The colours you've achieved are incredible :0) Mo xx

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  31. Wow what a fabulous project Buttons ! The texture you've created is gorgeous and the colours are stunning. Thanks for joining us at Frilly and Funkie. Sue C X

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  32. TIS DIVINE!!! LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!!! cXXX

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  33. Oh, the magic of time travel! lol Just finally got around to returning your WOYWW visit, where I saw the first stages of this project, and here I am a few minutes later seeing the fabulous finished creation and commenting on it! :)

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  34. WOW and THRICE WOW... this is totes amazeballs hunny... sorry am late visiting, crappy internet connection and busy stuff going on! Thanks for joining in with the Sunday Stamper x
    BTW.. hope the migraine has gone... nasty old things those x

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  35. Holy Cow! I can't believe the transformation! The details and texture are amazing! Thank you so much for playing along with us at Frilly and Funkie!

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  36. WOW WOW WOW!!! Coolest fowl abode ever!!! I love the embossed metal...so wonderful! All the elements to embellish this are a plus! Super fabulous make!!! Thank you so much for playing along with us at Frilly & Funkie this fortnight!!!

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  37. Thud. You've made me hit my chin again! This is over-the-top absolutely stunning. My "Top Ten Faves" list of yours is going to need to be "Top Twenty Faves" any second now (and I fear, rapidly growing). Hugs!

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  38. WOW....WOW.....WOW.....Oh goodness I am speechless. This is truly amazing! I won't even begin to pretend that i understand the process of making it however that doesn't change the fact that I certainly adore the result. I wish I could do what you do.....and hugs for the migraine - I have suffered from them and know that hell all too well, so BIG hugs xxxxxx

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  39. This is a truly stunning piece. Love the effect you have created by stencilling words with modelling paste. Brilliant idea - if only I could find my modelling paste!!!

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Thank you for stopping by and leaving your comments - they are really appreciated and will be published when moderated. Jenny xxx

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