Saturday 21 March 2015

DecoArt Heritage Board

Heritage Board – Vintage Shabby

Ooooh squeal of excitement, I just had to let you know that I have been accepted as a member of the DecoArt Helping Artist Program.



Susan at Country View Crafts will soon be stocking some of the DecoArt range of paints and mediums and I will be incorporating them into my workshops. I am particularly excited about using the media range, but I also love the chalk paints and want to experiment more with these too.
My Heritage board today uses a number of DecoArt products.

If you know me you know how much I love using Vintage photos in my creations, I have some of my own family on my Mum’s side, I have a collection of free images on my computer and I love the Tim Holtz found ancestors and photo booth ranges.


I have begun making a series of Heritage Boards using some of these fabulous images that are available to us and using DecoArt products to create the back grounds and layers.

This board began by cutting a piece of greyboard (chipboard) to 14 x 22½ cms and giving it two coats of white gesso. When it was dry I stamped one of Tim’s distress damask stamps in Versamark and heat embossed using clear embossing powder – I wanted the white of the pattern to show through my next layer.


I then set about using phthalo green-blue and transparent yellow iron oxide fluid acrylics with lots of water to create this mottled/distressed background. I used brushes, wet wipes and my fingers as tools and I brushed, rubbed, daubed and splattered the paints until I was happy with the effects.


I couldn’t really use the heat gun here to dry my background as I would have re-melted the embossing powder and lost the definition of the design, so I left it for about 20 minutes and came back to it with a wet wipe and rubbed very, very gently over some of the embossed design to take the paint off of it and make it pop again. You can see the colours have blended into the background more. It’s important that you don’t rub the board itself or you could rub away the paints and spoil the watery effects.


I die-cut Tim’s ornate frame twice using thin greyboard and glued them together, gave it two coats of thin gesso and when dry I used a palette knife to scrape on some texture fierro which gives an iron like texture and colour. 


I left it for about 45 mins until dry and then gave it a coat of the media white crackle paint, however I really like the fierro showing through so I applied it quite thinly and therefore did not expect any crackles to appear. Fifteen minutes later and look what was happening, gorgeous fine cracks were appearing so I just left it to completely air dry.


I text stamped the background using potting soil archival ink and gave it all a coat of matte medium and let it dry.



I took my chosen photograph and adhered it to the backing panel that was cut from the frame die-cut and also let that dry before sanding and inking the edges. I then gave it a coat of decou-page to seal it.


Inbetween drying times I began adding charms, wooden and metal embellishments and some flowers to the board and left them to dry as well.


At this point I came back to the ornate frame and used a tiny amount of raw umber fluid acrylic to add touches to the outside and inside edges to vintage them just slightly.


Next up was to paint over the embellishments using white gesso.


Once the gesso was dry I sprayed on mustard seed, picked raspberry and gathered twigs distress spray stains and some water and let the inks run up and down the board. (Can't wait to get my hands on the coloured media misters). I started off the drying with the heat gun but only for a short while to get the board warm and then left it to dry on its own.


When dry I spent some time dry brushing the elements with gesso and different mediums like titan buff acrylic, black gesso, white crackle paint and brown fierro. All the lighter colours absorbed the colours of the inks so I also sprayed with the media white shimmer mister and added a very small amount of snowtex over the embellishments and I am quite please with the overall effects now it’s finished.



To finish off the board I altered some more embellishments, I just play with the paints, gesso and texture mediums to achieve a look I am happy with ......
.... a metal label pull and a metal number ......


.... a metal key .......


.... and a metal decorative bow for the top of the frame.


I love the brighter colours on the background compared to the very shabby vintage effects of the frame.



Thanks for taking a look today. Have a great weekend.

hugs Brenda xxx



39 comments:

massofhair said...

HUGE CONGRATULATIONS on joining a wonderful team on the Helping Artist Programme, you are in some fine company Brenda. I am part of the Blogger Outreach Programme and enjoy using DecoArt products immensley, am looking forward to your inspiration on using their paints.

Your heritage board is beautiful, the crackle paint is amazing as is your background, the Media Range is fab but the Multi Surface Paints are also amazing.

Enjoy your weekend and am looking forward to more DecoArt projects:-) xxx

Helen said...

I love this, Brenda, it's beautiful. The colours on your background are wonderful against the shabby frame, as you say.

Vintagehandmade said...

CONGRATULATIONS Brenda! Can't wait to see your creations with use of Deco Art products! I love how you used the Tim's Damask stamp on the background and the colors are amazing! That shabby frame is fabulous! I love your new piece of art! Absolutely awesome!
Hugs :)
Branka xxx

Nikki Acton said...

Looking good! Great to see you incorporate the decoart range Brenda style. Really stunning. Nikki x

Ruth said...

Yet to try these products but love the effects you've created, the crackle is wonderful and the drippage running down the page just a beautiful meld of colours, simply gorgeous vintage effects! Ruth x

Jane said...

Many well deserved congratulations Brenda, you will be such an asset to their team. I have yet to try many of the deco art range, I just have a few paints. I am really looking forward to see how you demo their products. Your vintage board is beautiful the brights work so well with the ornate crackled frame. Hugs xx

Silvia(Barnie) said...

These are wonderful news. Congratulations :) Cannot wait to see all your forthcoming project. This one looks fanatstic.

sally said...

It's 08.36 in the morning & I can't wait to get inky after seeing this Brenda - it's lovely!

Sally

Juliz Design Post said...

Congratulations Brenda, can't wait for Susan stocking these paints. Fab tutorial and beautiful results, especially like the ornate frame.
Have a great weekend, Julie xx

Gram's Treasures said...

Awesome project! Congratulations, Brenda, I know you will be having lots of fun in your new spot.
Joyce xx

Astrid Maclean said...

First of all, congrats Brenda, well done!! This piece is amazing! Stunning background and I absolutely adore the way you altered the embellishments!! A new favourite I think!

I am very excited to hear Susan is going to stock Decoart products at CVC. Hope she will include the Ferro, as it's one of the products I don't have yet....

Patty O'Malley said...

Congratulations, Brenda! This heritage board is so beautiful! I love the colors and textures you achieved with the various techniques.

Karen Petitt said...

I am so jealous! Huge congrats Brenda!
I only starting using DecoArt products this year and I love them and need more lol!
I've the gesso, mixed media fluids and Americana paints.
The Americana paints are wonderful and I was surprised at how good they look and the chalk like finish once dry.
Looking forward to seeing more of what you create with their products as I'm a fan since I started to change the way I create and set up a new blog.
Your board is so very beautiful too Karen x

Kathi said...

You'll be a splendid addition to DecoArt's Helping Artist Outreach Program.

Your project is fantastic. Thank you for sharing how you created it!

whyducks said...

Well done lovely

Mrs.B said...

This is absolutely gorgeous Brenda, love your background, thanks for the process pictures.
Congratulations on your DecoArt news, I'm sure it's something you will enjoy.
Avril xx

Anonymous said...

Congratulations again Brenda ! Your project is beautiful, the pop of Picked Raspberry is gorgeous ! Sue C x

2amscrapper said...

Congrats Brenda! Well deserved! This piece is maginificent--waht a labor of love!

Scrumplescrunch said...

Hello Brenda,
As you already know, I am always inspired by your work, but I honestly have to say this creation is one of my favourites that you have designed. It has all the elements that I personally love to work with and the techniques I would love to master. I am getting there, and I think it is because of you and others like you, that are so forth coming in sharing your processes that I am where I am today with my Art. Many others will feel the same who follow you I am convinced. If I can bring to my followers just a little what you bring to me, I would be very happy. The Vintage look on this piece is unrefined, in contrast to your muted Bg, but they juxtapose beautifully together which is very attractive to the eye.
Smiles:)
Sue

Ana K. said...

This is another masterpiece from your magical hands Brenda...love, love, love it! And congratulations!
Best wishes from Slovenia

Unknown said...

CONGRATULATIONS, Brenda!! I'm soooo excited for you!! :) :) I'm just getting myself involved with using DecoArt goodies in my creations (I'm actually awaiting a good size order from them right now!) and consider myself lucky that you are a part of this really Great program with DecoArt! Don't be surprised if I start peppering you with painting questions, now! LOL! :) :)
This beautiful Heritage Board is just an example of why DecoArt wanted you as a part of their team!! Completely amazing and LOVE all of the layers of colors! Congrats again, Brenda! XOXO-Shari

Jools Robertson said...

Congratulations!
Lovely project, amazing colours, and techniques
And as always a fantastic step by step
Jools x

Debbie said...

Fabulous, my favourite combination of shabby chic/grunge...never seen it combined so well xx

Meggymay said...

Congratulations Brenda. Your project looks gorgeous.
Yvonne

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Brenda! I look forward to seeing more of your beautiful work. LOVE this piece by the way! Gorgeous. Karen.x

charlotte fletcher@roma land woodcrafts said...

Beautiful! I am a helping artist, too in Tennessee (US) and so thankful for DecoArt!
Your project is gorgeous!! Thanks for sharing..

mamablitger said...

Brenda your board is stunning, awesome and fabulous. I love each detail. The background, the embellishments items, your colors. But what I LOVE extremely much is your step-by-step explanation. Thank you so much for sharing.
And congrats with your new title as Helping Artist. I look so much forward to see what you'll share. Their products seemvto get even more popular each month. It will be exciting to try them myself.
Thank you for all you share. You're huge source of inspiration to me. I have learned so much from you. You are a true ARTIST.
Sending hugs from Monica.... Spain

Redanne said...

Many, many congratulations Brenda, this is such a wonderful opportunity for you - and those of us who are so inspired by your beautiful work! This creation is just stunning, a true piece of art...

I feel so lucky to have the new Media range and I just know you will love using the sprays when you get them - they are amazing. Pleased that Susan will be stocking them too! I am so looking forward to seeing where you go next with these beautiful DecoArt products. Hugs, Anne xx

crafty creations said...

Many congrats Brenda - you will be a great member to have on any team

Your board is amazing all that texture and beautiful colours - going to HAVE to have some of those products

Have a lovely Sunday x Hilda

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Mega congrats to you! DecoArt is amazing! LOVE all the many steps and photos here to show your process on that gorgeous background! Just fabulous, and love the photo!!!

experiments in paper said...

Fantastic news, Brenda!! I look forward to seeing what you come up with - what you have done here is absolutely beautiful! The colors alone are fantastic, and then to see all the incredible details and those fabulous embellishments - amazing!! Lots of great eye candy going on here :-) Can't wait to get home to try some of this out - xx Lynn

Deb said...

Congratulations Brenda! What a gorgeous piece you have created with the Deco-Arts products, a perfect vintage effect and a lovely colour palette!

Terry said...

Well of course this is stunning, Brenda, but a big huge congratulations on your DecoArt Helping Artist Program. How exciting and what an asset you will be! Love how you used a family photo in this wonderfully textured and gorgeously colored project! Love it! Hugs!

Inkypinkycraft said...

a beautiful piece of work, love the soft colours you have achieved and of course the vintage image, as i love using those too ! Huge congrats !! I did wonder if that was your news xx hugs x

Cocofolies said...

A fabulous board Brenda!!! Thanks for all the step-by-step photographs and details as usual, and big congratulations for the great news for you!!! Hugs, Coco xx

pearshapedcrafting said...

Congratulations! This is totally stunning and I can see you will be a brilliant addition to the DecoArt team!
Pleased to se that Susan will be adding some of the range to her stock (although it could prove expensive!) I have been using some products and love them!
Hugs, Chrisx

Gina said...

WOOHOO you!!! I know you are going to play for days when you get the new products lol Congratulations :D XXX

Marjie Kemper said...

What a gorgeous creation, Brenda! And congrats on the fabulous news!!

Words and Pictures said...

So many scrumptious textures, mediums and ideas here - love that flourish resist embossing in the background and the great aged look on the frame.

Woohoo for you as a Helping Artist!
Alison xx