22 March 2016

Carte Blanche to Get Creative...

Hi everyone and welcome! Thank you so much for the fabulous feedback to my junk journal last week and vintage canvas yesterday; I feel blessed to get so many lovely comments to work which is shared as it's never a given. Now to today's project, and this one's a particular favourite...

(make sure you click on each image for a closer look)

Confession time - this was originally destined to be my project for yesterday, but having got lost in the process of creating it I realised there wasn't enough pale purple on it!!! Moral of the story, remember the brief - lol! However, that means it I can share it with other challenges, namely the latest one over at Creative Carte Blanche - Triple Trouble. We've been asked to combine three things which at first glance wouldn't go together (lace, metal and corrugated card) but for me that's a cocktail made in mixed media heaven and I couldn't wait to get started.


I often get asked 'where do you start'? The fear a blank canvas can create can seem insurmountable sometimes so a good approach is to grab a selection of things which are a) required for the challenge/rules/etc and b) colour coordinate. I also found a photo from last year's trip to Venice that fitted in well (a grand, yet dilapidated Art Deco/Nouveau style entrance at the rear of St Mark's Square - I could just imagine those 'rich young things' arriving here at sunset ready to party into the wee small hours).


After applying Texture Paste through a mini stencil onto corrugated card I let it dry, dabbed on Brushed Pewter Distress Paint and heat set until it bubbled. Getting rust stains on top is easy with the Distress Crayons; I drew through the stencil and then blended with my finger.


The colour laid down by Distress Crayons doesn't move until it is touched, even if you mist it with water. So I took care to add water just to the edges of each 'stripe' and rubbed gently with my finger again. Use a paint brush to add your water to make this process even easier.


If you go too far and end up with too much colour spread about fear not, a quick rub with a wet wipe will remove any excess!


These clever little crayons will also help you age resin and paper clay embellishments.


The canvas board was given a coat of texture paste to level it off and stick the lace in place. Once dry I spread on some of the Crazing Collage Medium using a spatula, even over the lace! This takes a little while to dry and create delicate little cracks. Colour was added initially by rubbing Tattered Rose Distress Paint over the lace and spritzing Tattered Rose and Rusty Hinge Distress Spray Stain.


In the past that would have been it, but being able to blend these little sticks of magic over pretty much any surface means you can continue to layer on colour to create a more intense and weather worn look.


I added stamping, Filmstrip Ribbon and Industrious Borders to the base for even more interest/texture...


and layered the photo onto the corrugated card with spare bits of card/packaging with altered embellishments...


to make up the finished canvas, one of my all time favourites.


And here are some close ups...










35 comments:

  1. Another real beauty Jenny and so wonderfully composed! Glad you did not use it for yesterday's project, for this way we get two treats! Think I love this one even better!

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  2. Well, you have done it again Jenny!! I loved the canvas yesterday (a lot) but you have taken it up a few notches with this stunner... the rusting looks absolutely fabulous, your layering, as always, is superb, the composition is fantastic!! You are such an amazing Artist, you have such an eye for detail.... I am really stuck for words now. All I can say is that this is worthy of hanging in an art gallery, it is stunning!! Anne xx

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  3. Wow Jenny just gorgeous!! I have never seen a piece of corrugated cardboard go through such a wonderful transformation! Love the resin frame you added to the photo, clever addition! hugs :)

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  4. Wow Wow and another Wow! Beautiful. Love the step outs too, giving more inspiration as you create!

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  5. It's very clear to see, Jenny ,why this is one of your faves. A truly fabulous canvas full of texture, layers, detail and imagery all so wonderfully designed and executed . Love it hugs x

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  6. Well, this was worth the wait! Jenny, this is fabulous. The layers and composition are perfection and I really appreciate your instruction for the Distress Crayons. I have them but haven't used them. I know, what am I waiting for?? That little frame on top of your photo is just the right finishing touch. It gives a hint of mystery and makes me want to know the rest of the story. Wonderful!!

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  7. Oh my WOW Jenny total perfection xx

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  8. That is fabulous and don't the crayons make great rust! Love all the layers and texture, and the lace behind looks great :) xxx

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  9. A great canvas, Jenny!
    Thank you for also sharing it with us at SanDee&amelie's Steampunk Challenges!

    Claudia xx

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  10. This would be the only reason I try the crayons, because of your rusty technique with em. Wonderful layers and textures in this beauty. Totally agree with you about grabbing stuff and letting go of the blank canvas. Hehe! Awesome sauce design! ~Niki

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  11. A collaged mixed media beauty!!! I LOVE the stenciling on the corrugate...genius! Excellent layering too. This is so striking!

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  12. absolutely brilliant - perfect on so many levels Jenny - love it x

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  13. Hello Jenny! What a pleasure to view your lovely piece. Using your images is adding so much to your art. Thanks for linking to Rhedd's Creative Spirit

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  14. Mixed media heaven indeed Jenny, this is stunning and pinned for future reference. Love it.
    Hugs Brenda xxx

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  15. This is fab. Thank you for joining us at MMW

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  16. Hi Jenny, if I love the hole composition of this, in fact so much if I sat here and wrote down all I liked about it I would be here for quite some time so if its ok with you I will just cut it short and say this is a fabulous masterpiece of mixed media art, I would buy this for my own wall! Mo x

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  17. Where do I start? Oh my goodness, Jenny, this is so very beautiful. I adore it. The texture paste/stencil effect on the corrugated is amazing, and then to age it with Distress Crayons was brilliant! I'm so inspired. You're a master at perfect layering and composition. Consider me officially blown away!

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  18. You have blended these elects together beautifully! The rust is Amazing!

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  19. Wow...I just adore this piece, it really is gorgeous...loving all the details and tutorial too...
    What a fabulous entry for our challenge over at Rhedds Creative Spirit...x

    http://rheddscreativespirit.blogspot.co.uk/
    http://somewheretobeme.blogspot.co.uk/
    http://alteredeclectics.blogspot.co.uk/

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  20. Very cool! Just found your blog....love it

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  21. Wow!! Beautiful canvas. Love those special details and colours. Thank you for joining us at Creative Artiste this month. Hope to see your beautiful art work back here again soon. Judy DT

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  22. I am soooooooo loving your projects with Distress Crayons! As soon as we get moved, I'm ordering some as they are just too fabulous for words! This is a gorgeous make...so much yummy texture and color and a wonderful vintage vibe. I'm always inspired when I visit your lovely blog!

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  23. A gorgeous project Jenny! So many lovely elements I don't know where to start! love the way you have worked the corrugated card and the way your corners echo the cast iron work in your photo all very clever stuff! Love it ! Have a happy Easter ! Toni xx

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  24. Wow what a stunning canvas,I love the texture, layers, colours, frames and bits of metal, an awesome example of Mixed Media... Well Done... Thank you so much for entering our challenge over at Creative Artiste Mixed Media Challenge Blog, we hope to see you join in again...

    Hugs Rhonda DT & Owner xxx

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  25. Wow, Jenny! This is truly a beautiful masterpiece! Every detail is amazing! All of the wonderful elements - corrugated cardboard, lace and metal - work together to perfection! Thanks so much for sharing it with us at Creative Carte Blanche!

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  26. This is just stunning, all the different layers and techniques
    thanks for joining over at our challenge at
    http://creativeartistemixedmedia.blogspot.com.au/
    Debbie Dt

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  27. Love the fantastic rusty look you got with the crayons (can't wait for some play time one day to try mine out!)... and the page works perfectly.
    Alison x

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  28. Beautiful Jenny! Love all the texture and inky goodness! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  29. Jenny...this is absolutely gorgeous. I so love your piece and your pictorial tutorial is amazing! All of your layers are so lovely. I'm with you...the corrugated, lace and metal IS a mixed media cocktail made in heaven! I love your asymmetrical collaging on your piece and all of the blank space. I really struggle with that but you've mastered it. This is FABULOUS! Thanks for sharing your always beautiful art with us at Creative Carte Blanche!

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  30. Gorgeous Jenny, amazing colours and textures and a beautiful composition. Fabulous use of negative space, thank you for sharing it, Deb xo

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  31. Amazing Jenny. Wow. How in the world do you get it to all come together so perfectly. Everything is just set in the exact right place to make it all look like the completed blueprint from your mind or perhaps your heart - depending on the day!!!! It's soooo incredible that it doesn't match - it's not all lined up - it's just so free and flowing in such an amazing way. And the elements, the textures, the depth, the intrique of the piece.... dear me - it's just OVER THE MOON FABULOUS. It needs to be published in a magazine or on display in a gallery. IT's STUNNINGLY SPLENDID. WOW. XXj.

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  32. This is a scrumptious piece of gorgeousness! LOVE all the texture, the composition, and the coloring! What a way to use all of the Triple Trouble pieces!!! FABULOUS! Thank you for joining in at Creative Carte Blanche! xx

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  33. This is absolutely stunning!! This needs to be framed and hung on the wall.

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  34. Absolutely stunning Jenny! You are so so talented in taking scrapbook type layouts and turning them into canvas art. So wish I could emulate. Totally wonderful. Nicola x

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  35. Very interesting piece of art! Thank you for playing along with us on Mixed Media World!

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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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