Friday 19 September 2014

Autumn colours for A Vintage Journey

Before we start I need to warn you this is a long post as I have included a step-by-step to create the background as well as explained how I made the embellishments. You might like to get a cuppa before we move on.

It’s the lovely Astrid’s turn to host the new challenge at A Vintage Journey and she has chosen the theme of autumn colours. This is how she describes it -
Who does not love the beautiful colours that Autumn brings? The oranges, muted deep reds and all the many different brown and green hues. Tim's Distress range should give you many choices. Make a project incorporating some of these colours, but don't forget this is a shabby vintage challenge, so no cute please!

I chose to make a canvas full of pumpkins and leaves to depict an autumnal theme.
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To begin with here’s how I created the background.
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I started by daubing gesso over the canvas with a palette knife and laying some old dictionary paper in it. I spent a little while pressing the paper in to let the moisture seek through, after about 4 minutes I began to tear the paper away leaving some embedded into the gesso. I left this to dry overnight.
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The next day I smeared several of the green distress stains over it plus some antique linen. If you try this, make sure you dry the canvas and media between each layer.
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Next came some of the distress paints, smooched onto the craft mat, spritzed with water and then pounced in random places using a piece of kitchen roll.
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Out came the gesso again and this was also applied with kitchen roll.
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Now to add a bit of texture, just some small bits of frameworks at the moment, adhered with wet glue and a little gesso dabbed over parts of them with my finger.
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And now some stamping using black archival ink. OK are you still with me?
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Out came my favourite latticework stencil and I used some cut-n-dry foam to transfer more white gesso onto the canvas -  be warned using a palette knife will push it underneath and smudge it.
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Then some dipping with the greens and adding some yellow and finally some splatters with the brown – phew, hope you like it. This photo shows some of the details in close up.

Next came the elements to add.
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Three butterflies die-cut from Kraft Resist paper using Tim’s mini butterflies. I  dipped them in some walnut stain distress paint which acted as a resist then daubed barn door stain over them and some wildfire treasure gold.
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Three mini acorns die cut from card covered with distress inks and rock candy crackle paint.
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The picture wheel with a die-cut cog, added because I wanted something to reflect the shape of a cartwheel. I covered it with distress embossing powders and then some distress paint mixed with distress stain and as my friend Sharon said it looks as through it has been through the mud.
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Finally two types of pumpkins, pumpkin jack and the mini movers and shapers. The large one was textured using gesso through the speckles mask then layered with distress paints and distress stains. The smaller ones were cut from coredinations paper, sanded and dipped in some stains to create the colour changes for interest.
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To complete the look I added two 3D pumpkins and a mushroom I found in my drawer bought at Hobbycraft in the florist section and also the words were stamped from Tim’s Thankful Silhouettes die.

Well I did warn you it was going to be a long post, but I hope you have enjoyed looking at it. If you would like to know how I did the  leaves drop by A Vintage Journey on Monday morning where I will be doing a Destination Inspiration post and another step-by-step, but for now have fun with your autumn colours and come and join us in our new challenge.

Have a great weekend. I shall be at Ally Pally tomorrow if anyone else is going.

hugs Brenda xxxx

42 comments:

Gram's Treasures said...

Beautiful colours, Brenda, and so much texture!
Joyce xx

massofhair said...

Fabulous tutorial Brenda thank you so much! Fantastic colours, layers, textures and shapes. Stunning project!

Enjoy Ally Pally:-) xxx

froebelsternchen said...

Just wonderful your project Brenda!

Desire Fourie said...

Oh wow this is a stunning autumn creation with a wonderful hint of vintage. It also is a great mixed media project.
Hugs Desíre {Doing Life}

Valerie-Jael said...

Fantastic autumn creation! Hugs, Valerie

Jane said...

Good morning Brenda what a fantastic step by step. Your thankful piece is brimming with texture and colours. Just a perfect autumnal piece. Enjoy Ally Pally we're catching up with Daisy and Co. Enjoy your weekend. Hugs xx

Dagmar said...

What a fantastic canvas - the autumn colours so great and i wood love to go in my workroom to --- - ok, next week :-)
Thanks for the tutorial - Hugs Dagmar

debby4000 said...

Fabulous Autumn canvas.
luv
Debby

Astrid Maclean said...

Wow Brenda, stunning canvas and a fantastic post from beginning to end! Absolutely adore the mixed media background, such a cool technique with the gesso and book paper! And the embellishments, - what can I say, a perfect composition of wonderful autumnal elements!! A new favourite I think, LOVE this!!!

Deborah said...

Interesting to see the process - and the result is absolutely stunning.

Margreet said...

Awesome canvas Brenda...I enjoyed your step by step explanation...so wonderful, must give it a try once (when I've got more time? In 2 years I'll be retired.....)
xxx Margreet

Jenny Marples said...

You at your very best Brenda. One of my all time favourites of your projects. The idea of using the picture wheel as a cartwheel is genius and I love the textured background for it all. Jenny x

Unknown said...

WOW BRENDA, I love the background on this piece.. really WILD and love the textures that are coming thru... Great colors. love the gourds, and all the acorns... great piece Brenda.. Love, Light and Peace..Bonnie

Redanne said...

I am just picking my jaw up off the floor...... this is stunning Brenda. Love the gorgeous colours, textures and the wonderful pumpkins! Beautiful work (as always!). Anne xx

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Gorgeous Brenda, love how you added speckles to the pumpkin and I love your cluster of leaves and acorns. Gorgeous background too. Tracy x

Rita said...

Love this pretty canvas Brenda. The detail is brilliant. Hugs Rita xxx

Annie said...

A stunning make Brenda and the background is fabulous. Lots of wonderful textured layers and stamping. Love the pumpkins and Acorns. Gorgeous piece and thank you for sharing the step by step

Hugs Annie x

S@ndy Diller said...

Totally awesome job on this one Brenda. I love all of it - the colors really catch the eye as well as the great techniques. TFS

Aspiring crafter said...

Thanks for sharing this project Brenda , a beautiful creation!
Xxx Ruth

Daniele said...

what a wonderful creation Brenda
hugs x

Meggymay said...

Wow, a stunning project and a great tutorial.
Yvonne

Terry said...

Well firstly I love the pumpkin patch you created with those falling glorious leaves and crackled pinecones. Now the added little pumpkins and that mushroom are such great touches (I am jealous about those mini pumpkins and JoAnn's better have some :-). The background and all that texture adds even more interest and beauty! Love this much! Hugs and happy weekend to you!

Juliz Design Post said...

Love your canvas and seeing all the different stages. Your acorns are magical.
Julie x

Words and Pictures said...

Totally gorgeous layered background and the textures on the pumpkins and "cartwheel" are all delicious... a fabulous creation!
Alison xx

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

What a background...really makes the Autumn color pop! Those little pumpkins and toadstools are grand!

sally said...

Totally live this one Brenda - I live all the fabulous colours of autumn and am totally gutted that I'm going to be missing out on our trip to the USA next week ( no family, no Fall, no craft shopping!) this, at least has put a little colour into my day. Thanks for sharing.

Sally

Silvia(Barnie) said...

Wow Brenda, that's a breathtaking project, so many fantastic details. Love the fall feeling.

Sue Kosec said...

Perfection! I love your use of colors and products.
SuZeQ

Karin said...

beautiful project, love the autumn colors! Groetjes Karin

Sam & Poppy said...

Stunning project Brenda, just love it all.
Hope you are having a lovely weekend, big hugs xxx

Jools Robertson said...

Fabulous abundant autumnal canvas, love the tutorial the background is very effective
The embellishments are beautiful,
The acorns are amazing such gorgeous colours and crackle
Beautiful

Jools x

Julia Aston said...

Love that background Brenda - it's like a garden wall with the thick gesso - and your cluster of fall harvest is lovely!

Linda Coughlin, the funkie junkie said...

Fatntastic!!! Just absolutely sensational. Love everything about this fall piece. TFS!

Hugs,
Linda

Theresa said...

Great project. Love the step by step here and on AVJ for the leaves. thanks as always for sharing.

Jennie Atkinson said...

Absolutely wonderful Brenda - there are so many fabulous details. The background is quite amazing and thank you for sharing your steps - I love the way you used the gesso to add and then take away! Fabulous. Jennie x

PS Sorry for the late visit - a weekend away and hardly any Wifi!

Mrs.B said...

Just commented on the later post and didn't realise this was a canvas, love the step by step pics.
Avril xx

Anonymous said...

You brought all things Autumn together on this wonderful project.
I adore those little acorns and of course, that fabulous texture you created for the base.
Wishes
Lynne

Juls said...

Love seeing your creative process :-) xx

Cocofolies said...

Brilliant work, I love this so much...! :) Coco xx

1CardCreator said...

Stunning piece, I love the little pumpkins too! ~Diane

sarascloset said...

Your background is jaw dropping, and I love that you took us through the process! Your pieces for the focal point are all so wonderful and look like the real deal. I just want to touch your gourd, with it's bumpy texture. You really nailed this challenge!

Sylvie Collet said...

Great work!!!I love it!!!