Friday, 2 November 2018

Paper Stash at AVJ

Yes we all have them drawers or shelves stacked with patterned papers that we dip into but never seem to reduce the pile. Well here is a chance to get into them and decide what to use for a challenge sample.

Sandy is our hostess today and is asking us to create a project of any kind using some designer papers in creative ways and in one of the AVJ preferred vintage, shabby, mixed media, art journaling, industrial, timeworn or steampunk styles. My choice was a vintage Christmas card and I used two of the stamps from the new Tim Holtz Stamptember release.


I used paper from an old Christmas pad as well as my new worn wallpapers. Because the worn wallpaper was directly below the frame I wanted to knock back the central area and used a couple of layers of watery gesso and then some distress oxides.


Wanting to get the frame covered with some of the DecoArt clear crackle paste before I went to bed I layered it on with a palette knife and left it overnight but realised the next morning that I had forgotten to seal/prime the surface underneath.   I rubbed in some raw umber and titanium white antiquing creams and left it for about 20 minutes and then started wiping away with a damp baby wipe. It looked a bit dull and murky so I began rubbing in some more of the white antiquing cream and hey hello, what a fabulous effect it gave me. Very little of the crackle lifted and as I rubbed the white in and rubbed away again just using my fingers this most amazing cracked ice effect appeared. Love it, so I didn't bother to try and rub any more away, I just left it.


I designed the card as I went along choosing the layers and these are the inked and stamped die-cuts and elements.


I decided to add some natural elements to the card and chose these pepperberries that I picked up a few weeks ago.


I also painted a small glass star with a white paint pen and stuck on.


I hope you get a moment to pop over to the main A Vintage Journey challenge blog where you'll find some more fabulous inspiration from some of the Creative Guides.

Thanks for stopping by and .....

xxx

18 comments:

S@ndy Diller said...

Love the paper you used and your card is so lovely. I can see why it would be difficult to cut into it. So happy that you are part of the challenge. Hugs, Sandy

Susanne said...

Beautiful card Brenda, and that crackle texture, wow! Hugs Susanne

Astrid Maclean said...

Such a gorgeous vintage card Brenda, beautifully put together! That crackle was an amazing accident, wow it looks amazing! Love the pepper berries you added, and if you have a minute I would just love to know where you purchased them, they make for such a great natural addition to the card! This is a real vintage beauty, I love it!!!

froebelsternchen said...

Oh wow.. your card is fantastic and the new theme is super!
Happy November dear Brenda!
Hugs, Susi

SewPaperPaint said...

Oh Brenda! That choice paper for your base layer was one of my favorite lines from long ago and how thrilled I am to see it receive new life with your incredible Christmas design! This totally caught my eye and I stopped everything to come and inspect. I adore this stunning card my friend! Big hugs, Autumn

Julia Aston said...

What beautiful layers of framings for your sweet bird and berry scene Brenda! xx

Meggymay said...

A gorgeous project Brenda. The paper layers look beautiful.
Yvonne

Lisa said...

Oh my goodness, stunning!! Wow!! The design and textures are absolutely amazing!! I love every single detail!! This is spectacular, Brenda!! Have a great weekend!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Annie said...

Hi Brenda x Totally love you wonderful Christmas card and the details are amazing, especially the crackled background x The berries really add to the feel of the season

Still having comment issues with some blogs but at least things are improving xx

Have a lovely weekend
Annie xx

Jennie Atkinson said...

Beautifully designed and crafted (as always!) Brenda. I love the crackled background and how you kept on working with it. Have a lovely weekend. Jennie x

Nikki Acton said...

A stunning design! Love the combination of elements with your usual perfect composition! The crackled frame is awesome and the berries a wonderful addition xxx

Redanne said...

The cracked ice effect you achieved is gorgeous Brenda, I love the papers you used, they are beautiful. The whole design is wonderful, I just love everything about this creation! Hugs, Anne xx

A Pink said...

Such a Gorgeous Vintage Christmas card, Brenda. Adore your 'cracked ice' frame and your collaged elements are arranged so tastefully. Superb and beautiful example of how to use your paper stash.

I pm'd you the other day - hope you received ?
Hugs x

Kate Yetter said...

Your crackle frame is the perfect background for your beautiful wintry scene!
Kate

Words and Pictures said...

So pretty - you're right, that cracked ice is quite something - what a happy accident. Love the pepperberries too - a lovely finishing touch.
Alison x

sarascloset said...

I am so delighted to get over here (finally) and see all these amazing details and read how your beautiful card came together. That crackled frame is stunning and oh, what a happy accident! I'm so impressed you recalled all your steps and shared them, so I could give this a try. The wallpaper is so pretty all by itself, but toned down it works so well with all these other wonderful natural elements. Love this, Brenda! Sending hugs!

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

This is stunning, I love the composition, the frame and crackle is magnificent. A Vintage beauty at its best, thank you so much for sharing.
Creative wishes Tracey x

Deb said...

So beautiful Brenda, adore the papers you used (brave soul, I still have Paper Stash's I've never even cracked open LOL!) and what a happy accident that occurred on your frame, it is gorgeous! Loving how you used the Stamptember stamps and the pepperberries were the perfect finishing touch. Thanks so much for sharing, Deb xo