Create within a Frame for A Vintage Journey

Hi everyone and welcome! Today sees the launch of the latest challenge at A Vintage Journey called 'Create within a Frame'. Our host for this one is the wonderful Julia and here's what she has in store for us; "For this month’s challenge we would like you to create something inside a frame. Whatever you use show us how you have incorporated a frame on your vintage; shabby; mixed-media; art journaling; industrial or steampunk project. We can't wait to see all of your creative framing ideas!"

This month we are sponsored by Decoart who have a fabulous prize for a randomly drawn winner. And three Pinworthies will be offered a Guest appearance for later challenge, so there's plenty of reasons to join in.

My canvas for this challenge focused on the two key words in the title - frame and create - Seth Apter's fabulous die designs were perfect for creating interlocking frames and I embellished them with representations of some of the many hobbies/crafts we use to create art.

This canvas began with a few swipes of Texture Paste to obliterate the weave pattern and provide an uneven surface for the paint. A combination of IndigoBlu paints (listed at the end) were scraped over the top randomly in turn, with each layer dried to prevent blending. Then a light dry brushing of white gesso on top toned things down a little before I added a light wash of watery Hot Cocoa. I used Seth's idea of adding lots of die cut layers together to create dimension and depth, planning out the interlocking design before stamping with the same paints underneath them. A little Distress Grit Paste gave the surfaces the look of ageing rust and layers of Kingfisher Blue,Townhouse Teal, Vodka Martini and Hot Cocoa paint added that distinctive patina. Drips of alcohol ink and water created the rusted patterns.

The idea for representing various creative hobbies/arts came when I dropped an old, much loved paint brush by accident and it fell nicely between two of the frames. You'll see from the brush that it's seen better days and the initial reason for binding the top was because it had snapped. Again, taking an idea from Seth's blog I found that by wrapping layers of fuse wire and twine around the top and adding smears of paint it took on a whole new life. The same principle was applied to a die cut bobbin shape, and I also added a nail head, film strip a pen nib and even some beads into a couple of the frames. The words on the Tim Holtz Word Band seemed thoroughly appropriate to the theme of the canvas.

So that's where this month's fabulous theme took me. Now I urge you to hop on over to A Vintage Journey to see what my fellow Creative Guides have come up with - it's well worth the trip! Then it's over to you - the challenge will remain open for a month so there's plenty of time to get those creative juices flowing and link up your entries to be in with a chance to win. For now take care of yourselves, Jenny xxx

IndigoBlu Acrylic Paints; Postbox Red, Townhouse Teal, Lemon Merinque, Pink Iced Gem, Banana Custard, Hot Cocoa, Kingfisher Blue, Vodka Martini

IndigoBlu Stamps; A5 Tasty Textures

Seth Apter Spellbinders Dies; Robo Square, Robo Bar

Ranger Alcohol Ink; Latte

Tim Holtz Distress Grit Paste

Tim Holtz Idea-Ology; Nailheads, Word Bands, Film Strip Ribbon, Pen Nibs