Monday 4 July 2016

Red, White and Blue...

Happy 4th of July everyone and welcome to a brand new challenge over on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog where this week the design team are showcasing IndigoBlu stamps with our RED, WHITE AND/OR BLUE challenge theme!

We can't wait to see what you create using either one or all of the colours and hope you'll play along with us in this fun challenge...

For my project, I decided to use all the colours and create a celebration panel for Independence Day and used IndigoBlu stamps to create the background for my mixed media collage.

To begin with I took a piece of white canvas paper and cut this to measure 20 x 18cm. I then started to create the background by stamping the various sized circles from the Limor Circles stamp set, and stamping them across the centre of the page using Jet Black Archival Ink. Once I was happy with the positioning, I then started to colour them and for this I used Snowflake PaperArtsy Chalk Paint for the white areas, Festive Berries and Fired Brick Distress Paint for the red circles and finally, Chipped Sapphire Distress Paint for the blue.

Once the paint was dry, I then added some white gesso to highlight the circles before adding Black Soot to create some shadow. To complete the circles, I used the smallest script stamp from the set and stamped onto the small white circles.
For the next stage of the background I wanted to create a worn, vintage look to the paper and for this I applied a layer of Antique Linen paint, using a paint brush to carefully blend and apply it around the circles and then applied Frayed Burlap and Ground Espresso which I dry brushed over the top.

I flicked some Chipped Sapphire Distress Paint and Snowflake Chalk Paint over the background before using Walnut Stain and Black Soot Distress Crayons around the edge, blending them with my finger to give a soft, smudged look.

Matt the finished background onto a piece of silver metallic kraft core card, followed by a layer of paper from the Correspondence paper stash and finally a piece of red Core'Dinations card.
Now that I have my background, it's time to create that centrepiece...
...and to do this I started with the stars. I attached a piece of metal foil tape over the top of some thick card and then placed the card in the Tiny Stars Texture Fade to emboss it.

I then used the Stacked Stars die to die cut the embossed metal covered card stock.
Ink the embossed stars with a combination of Gold Metallic Mixative and Hazelnut Alcohol Ink before applying a Black Soot and Vintage Photo Distress Crayons over the top, rubbing the crayon into the recessed areas to create the look of rust.

Randomly tear a piece of cardboard from the Textured Surfaces pack, which as you can just about see in the photo below, I used as a base to build up my layers and then can be easily transferred to your background to complete it.
 Attach the stars to the corrugated card, using foam pads to create dimension.
Spritz some cheesecloth with Weathered Wood Distress Spray Stain and attach the cloth to the corrugated stars, placing it underneath and around the stars.
Take an Ephemera piece and screw it up before flattening it out and inking over the top and around the edges. Place the piece over the top of your stars and cheesecloth.
I then took the gorgeous photo from the Occasions Found Relatives pack and fussy cut around the image before applying a wash of colour onto the flag using Festive Berries and Chipped Sapphire Distress Marker Pens. Attach the image over the top of the corrugated card arrangement.

I then attached my centrepiece onto the background and added Occasions Small Talk Sticker, 'Red White & Blue' and a number 4 from the Letterpress set. which I painted with Antique Linen Distress Paint.
As a finishing touch, I added some Remnant Rubs...
...and some Mirrored Stars!
To frame and complete the entire panel, I used a ruler which I dipped into gesso and then just added the straight lines of paint around to each corner.
I really hope you've enjoyed the process of how this piece was put together...it was so much fun to work on and I was so happy with the finished project! I always say it but it's my new favourite!

As always, if you need any further inspiration for this challenge, then you need look no further than our blog to see all the wonderful creations from all the very talented Design Team members and every week, one lucky random participant has the chance to win a $50 gift voucher from Simon Says StampYou have until Monday 8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in and good luck....


Thank you so much for all your visits today and hope you all have a great week ahead
See you again soon...love Emma xx


Products used:
IndigoBlu Stamps: Limor Circles
Tim Holtz Sizzix Dies/Texture Fades: Stacked Stars, Tiny Stars and Dotted Bullseye Texture Fade
Distress Ink: Frayed Burlap
Alcohol Ink: Gold Mixative, Hazelnut
Blending Tool
Cheesecloth and canvas paper from my own stash

21 comments:

  1. Gorgeous Emma, I love the circles across the centre and the composition is gorgeous. Love the embossed stars too and how you blended the paint colour around the circles. Love it. Tracy x

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  2. Emma, you continue to amaze me with your creativity...you are one of my favorite paper crafters. I have a picture of my great grandmother holding the flag which would be perfect for this. Love it, Charlotte

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  3. Another Masterpiece! Emma and an absolutely wonderful 4th of July tribute. Design, execution and eye for detail is as always superb. Another one to add to all my many 'Emma Faves' for sure .
    Thanks for always inspiring
    big hugs xx

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  4. The background you created with the circles is fabulous, I love how you added the text to the smaller circles and coloured the larger ones - beautiful, just beautiful! Anne xx

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  5. What a beautiful vintage piece this is! Love the wonderful bubbles in the background, Emma, and then all the layers of goodness with the stars and cloth and girl!

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  6. Gorgeous panel Emma, the whole design of this is absolutely stunning! I love how you used a 'relative' :-)

    luv
    Lols x x x

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  7. Beautiful canvas - just perfect for the 4th of July! I think making the circles appear 3-d really makes the piece perfect!

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  8. This is Fantastic! Happy 4th of July

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  9. Hi Emma, your projects are getting better and better...this is FABULOUS...I love it...and so good to see your step by step..xx ps..I love Anita's comment above...exactly what I've done and thought!! :) :) xx

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  10. Magnificent, Emma! Another amazing creation.

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  11. This is amazing, Emma! Love the way you build up your projects. The little girl in the middle with the flag is perfect! Hugs, Sandra

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  12. I feel absolutely ashamed by your talent! The background is again totally beautiful. The vibrant circles against the soft background are just perfect. Love the stars of course and all the embellishment collection you applied. Perfect as always! Hugs, Marzena

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  13. beautiful project Emma...love how you used the circles as your red white and blue focus...hugs kath xxx

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  14. Beautiful mixed media! WOW!!

    *mwah*
    Steph
    Simon Says Stamp!

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  15. Love this gorgeous creation, Emma. The layers of embellishments and details are so fabulous. :)

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  16. What a classy and intriguing, detail-filled piece you've created here! I have come to expect nothing less! I remember when I lived in London that we celebrated the 4th of July and then thought how tacky we were to have been doing that in the heart of the "mother land." But now I always give a nod to England on the 4th here, so I'm grateful to have such a fondness for both!

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  17. Emma, this is amazing on so many levels. I love all the texture, elements and that amazing background makes me swoon.

    Hugs,
    Cathie ♥

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  18. Superb Emma , this project is superb!You've used the stamp in an incredible way, you give them life with colors!Love all the layers you've created! Barbara

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  19. Superb Emma , this project is superb!You've used the stamp in an incredible way, you give them life with colors!Love all the layers you've created! Barbara

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  20. love this project! makes me proud to be an American! ;)

    <333

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Thank you for all your comments and messages, they are all appreciated and I hope you'll come back and visit again soon...
Emma ~xx

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