Friday 3 April 2015

Through the Looking Glasss

There's a new challenge at AVJ today from our fabulous Julia and oh boy I think you are gonna love this one. I certainly did, it sparked lots of ideas of things I wanted to use or incorporate in my project like cracked glass using embossing powders and altering a hand mirror but whilst collecting bits and pieces I found a frame that didn't have the back on it, only the glass was in place and I could see right through it. I love the work of an artist called Kristin Mcfarlane who uses glass to layer images but I couldn't find anywhere an explanation of how she does it but it still set me to thinking how I could use this frame for my project.

Having been playing with Tim's 3 x 4 snippets at the back of his newest paper stashes an idea began to emerge.

Having found the frame that had glass in it but no back to it (one of those keep for a rainy day items lol) I gave it a light coat of gesso leaving some of the wood exposed.


I added a piece from one of Wendy Vecchi's art parts set, gave that a coat of gesso and added walnut stain distress ink to it and the frame.



I then set about making an A34 again using Tim's smaller snippets of papers from various paper stacks, collecting some other ephemera to add to it or to the frame.


Once the A34 had been completed I went out and bought some transparent film to adhere it to the glass. I didn't want to use glue as I thought it would show too much even though it dries clear.


The arrow with the parcel post label was glued with glossy accents onto the outside of the glass.


Using a small text stamp from Tim's shabby french set I  stamped it randomly over the glass using black stazon.

I decided the ephemera I had collected for the frame wasn't working for me so I sorted out some other bits and being rusty they felt right at home. I played with some distress paints and alcohol ink on the wordband and taking Paula Cheney's idea from her Guest post last week, I suspended it across the bottom of the glass.


Lastly I was going to add some remnant rubs but decided they weren't actually needed, instead I added a rusty wire hanger so I can put it on the wall.



I'm really pleased with my interpretation of Julie's brilliant challenge theme title


Do you know the thinking and creating in my head time was probably two weeks but if I were to put another of these together I could do it in less than a day. It just shows that ideas and designing is a long slow process for me, but I hope you like the outcome.

I also hope you will pop over to A Vintage Journey to see all the amazing inspiration from our very talented team and hopefully it will give you the inspiration you need to join in. Don't forget you now have a whole month to get a project made and to take part and there is a £20 voucher for the winner.

Have a wonderful weekend.

hugs Brenda xxx

25 comments:

S@ndy Diller said...

Brenda,

This is simply fabulous! A wonderful interpretation of the challenge theme. Your projects are always filled with wonderful details and I love that.

Julia Aston said...

What a great creation for Through the Looking Glass, Brenda! Your collage is lovely - and how fun you incorporated the clothesline design - it's perfect here!

Deb said...

Brenda, that is wonderful! Love how you have your ephemera inside and outside of the glass, what an great dimensional piece. Fabulous inspiration, thank you so much for sharing your process.

Dagmar said...

What a fantastic Collage, Brenda - it's so beautiful createt!!!

Astrid Maclean said...

Another brilliant collage Brenda, you are such a master at this technique! I adore the shabby looking frame too! A wonderful make altogether with just the perfect embellishments!

hazel said...

A wonderful creation.
xxx Hazel.

Pamellia said...

Fabulous project Brenda! Love the wonderful aged texture on the frame and all your little metal bits are just fantastic! A truly stunning piece! hugs :)

Meggymay said...

A stunning project, love what you did to the frame.
Yvonne

Terry said...

Brenda, you just make paper come to life! The frame is gorgeous and all the added goodies makes these a little treasure! Love this! Happy Easter! Hugs!

Redanne said...

You definitely should be pleased with your interpretation Brenda because it is quite stunning! I love your A34 ideas and incorporating Paula's idea was such a perfect finishing touch> Love this. Hugs, Anne xx

Happy Easter!

trisha too said...

Oh Brenda, I am loving this one!!!

:)

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

COmpletely stunning and gorgeous! Great design, and love the Art Part usage!

Juliz Design Post said...

What a super interpretation Brenda. I always love the elegance you bring to your collaged projects. Your altered frame also looks great.
Have a lovely weekend, Julie xx

A Pink said...

absolutely fabulous! A piece of wall art that i would love to have adorning my walls ! Just perfect !

Nikki Acton said...

Fantastic alteration and wonderful collage - I really need to see this! Nikki xx

Words and Pictures said...

What a stunning framed collage, with such a delicate vintage look. Beautifully weathered rusty accents - just love it!
Alison xx

experiments in paper said...

What a fabulous collage, Brenda! Love the rusted bits, and all the layers. That smiling face is terrific, and I love the text stamping....marvelous make! xxx Lynn

Jenny Marples said...

A superb collage piece Brenda! I love the addition of the Art Parts decoration to the frame, the inclusion of Paula's elastic idea and the text stamping on the glass in particular. Jenny x

Gina said...

Another glorious project. Looks perfect hanging from that wrack :D XXX

Mrs.B said...

A fabulous piece Brenda, and a great interpretation of the theme.
Love all the details.
Avril x

Unknown said...

Brenda, I completely love the outcome of this! This is just Beautiful! What a clever idea to use transparent film to adhere everything to the glass-I'd feel like you, even though the glue would dry clear, you'd see it--You don't see the transparent film at all! Love That!!
This is an AMAZING creation for Julia's Through the Looking Glass challenge, Brenda! I Love It!! :) XOXO-Shari

mamablitger said...

Brenda I love how you altered this frame into a piece of art. Love the embellishment you chose. Fabulous result.
Thank you so much for sharing your creativity.
Hugs from Monica... Spain

massofhair said...

Absolutely gorgeous Brenda :-) xxx

crafty creations said...

Another amazing creation - love how you have followed the theme x Hilda

Annie said...

Stunning hanging Brenda. Love all the wonderful details and ephemera etc. The layout is fabulous and very vintage/shabby

Love it

TFA and huge hugs Annie cc