Monday 29 May 2017

Circle Of Life...

Hello friends...

Hope you've all had a lovely weekend and getting ready for the week ahead! As always on a Monday, it's time for a brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge and this week the theme is ~ WE'RE GOING AROUND IN CIRCLES! As always, there's plenty of interpretation of this theme, you can use dies, stamps, stencils or even recycle circular objects such as tubes, jars or bottles! Whatever you choose to create, we can't wait to see your projects and hope you'll join us for our fun challenge!

For my project, I was inspired by the story of a family circle and decided to create a layout using Tim Holtz's Paper Dolls to tell the story of a circle of life...

So, it's time for a new challenge and here's how I created this project!
 

I used a 24 x 18cm canvas panel for this project but you could use canvas paper, chipboard or even designer papers. I then gave the panel a wash of Antique Linen Distress Paint before heat drying it and then adding Victorian Velvet which I dry brushed over the surface. I now wanted to add some texture and began by layering some offcuts of card that I had lying around and sticking them to my panel using Collage Medium. Gesso over the top of the offcuts and then start layering more Antique Linen and Victorian Velvet paint over the top.

I wanted to create a really soft vintage colour palette for the background but add lots of texture, so the next stage was to add some stamping and I used the Etcetera stamp set and just randomly stamped directly onto the background before adding Grit Paste through the Screwed and the Speckles Layering Stencils. Let the paste dry thoroughly before adding some more depth of colour over the top using Distress Crayons in Victorian Velvet, Pumice Stone, Ground Espresso and Vintage Photo and just blended out the crayon with my fingers.
Create a few splatters with Black Soot and some gold paint before I machine stitched around the edge and added some torn pieces of designer tape to the top left and bottom right corners.

Now to move onto frames and for this, I used Seth Apter's Shield die and die cut some Heavystock Media Card by Tim Holtz, cutting each section three times before layering each die cut over the top of one another to create solid frames. I then painted them with a layer of gesso to prime them for the colour.

To create the wood effect, I painted each of the circular frames with Walnut Stain, heat dried the paint then added some Black Soot, again heat drying the layer before adding touches of Antiqued Bronze paint over the top. I found I needed a little more warmth to the wood effect and just used my fingertip to apply touches of Ground Espresso over the top before adding a touch of White Gold Metallique Wax around the edges. I also added some Hex Fasteners to the holes on the largest die.
For the photos, I chose three images to make up my "family" and framed each of them behind the die cut circles before attaching them over a bed of cheesecloth that I dyed using Brushed Corduroy and Victorian Velvet Distress Spray Stains.

To add even more texture, I used Micro Beads and sprinkled these onto 3D Matte Gel that I applied around the frames. To complete the embellishments I used Melange Pebbles coloured with Rich Turquoise Alchemy Paint and Unicorn's Hair Sparks Paint.

I also attached a Mechanical Metal Lotus Flower complete with Melange Pebble inside and a Adornment Arrow which I altered with Waxes and then tucked underneath one of the circular frames.
Finally, I used the Clippings Stickers to tell the story of their lifetime...
....before popping it onto a hanger to display!
I really hope you've been inspired by my project and as always, if you do need any further inspiration, 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 stopping by today and see you again very soon!
Love Emma xxx


Heat Gun
Canvas panel and cheesecloth from my own stash

24 comments:

  1. This is amazing, Emma! Your backgrounds are like works of art. Love it!

    Cathie ♥

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  2. Ooh, family circle, circle of life! you totally rocked this challenge Emma!! The whole design of this is absolutely fabulous and very clever :-) LOVE it :-)

    luv
    Lols x x x

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  3. This is fabulous Emma, love the design and wonderful layout!
    Hugs
    Linda xxx

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  4. beautiful work Emma - love how all the pieces came together to make such a stunning piece.

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  5. WOW, WOW, and WOW again !

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  6. Oh boy! Do you know how to make beautiful backgrounds, or what! It is so subtle and beautiful.

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  7. This is stunning Emma. And I especially love the wood effect.

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  8. Absolutely gorgeous project, Emma - it looks stunning.

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  9. the layering and details on this canvas are amazing- beautiful project!!

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  10. Really love this mixed media project!

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  11. Oh my Emma...this canvas is absolutely gorgeous! The vintage feel, the background and the clever use of the paper dolls...a great piece of art!!! Hugs xxx

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  12. Hi Emma, this is stunning, I love how you have interpreted the theme and so many beautiful details.. xx

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  13. Wonderful piece, Emma! Love the rusty circles framing the members of "your family". The big green cabochons are a nice touch, with that ink of pink in your beautiful background! xx Maura

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  14. Beautiful wall hanging! Your mixed media background is lovely! Love how you've finished the circles and presented your "family". The patina'd pebble adds just the perfect pop of color!

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  15. Emma, Emma! You are always responsible for me adding at least one or two products to the ol' cart at Simon! Love the inventive ways you use your supplies. I especially love the textures you created here.

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  16. Love love this- fabulous use of products, and especially all the little details.

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  17. a beautiful project as ever

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  18. Love all the fabulous details on this canvas, Emma. The layered embellishments and the texture on the background are fantastic! :)

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  19. another amazing creation Emma...love the soft dreamy colours alongside the rusty elements...hugs kath xxx

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  20. Unbvelievable! There is so much work on this design! I see endless details, patterns, colors, embellishments! Amazing job! Hugs, Marzena

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  21. I think that my favorite part of this project is the little guy sitting on the circle! Awesome project!

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  22. Week after week I'm trying to learn from your backgrounds! I love then so much! They are always extraordinary! Love love love ..I do not know if I'll ever be able to make this! Hope is never lost! Barbara

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  23. I defy anyone who wouldn't be inspired this absolutely stunning work of art, Emma. Breathtakingly beautiful and creative perfection throughout. I have nothing but total LOVE for this - Imho a masterpiece!
    big big hugs xx

    sincere apologies for the late arrival here but please be assured that doesn't lessen the love and admiration for your work .
    xx

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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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