Eternal Flame...

Hey everyone and welcome to a brand new week over on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog! This week, we challenge you to create a piece of Home Decor and the team were also asked to showcase Prima Marketing products within their challenge pieces. You don't have to use them to join in but if you do, then we would love to see what you create and can't wait to visit all your blogs...

For my project, I was inspired by the antique jewellery of the Tsarinas of Russia and decided to create my own piece of treasure using one of the resin pieces from the Flaming Hearts Ex II Votos Relics and Artifacts pack.

and here's how I created my treasured artefact!

To begin with I took one of the wooden trays and coated it with a layer of gesso to prime it for the paintwork.

I then added a layer of PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Paint in Chalk over the top of the gessoed frame and allowed to dry. To create the recessed section of my frame, I cut a piece of Tim Holtz Plain Tissue Wrap to the size of the recess and then crumpled the tissue paper into a ball. Open out the paper and then using Tim Holtz Collage Medium, apply the tissue to the background, allowing the paper to create a creased effect.

Once the paper is thoroughly dry, I then dry brushed the entire frame with some Frayed Burlap Distress Paint, creating the look of worn wood. I then flicked some Gold Color Bloom Spray across the inside section, ensuring that none went onto the outside section of the frame.

Next, I inked up Tim Holtz's Cracks stamp with Cool Graphite Ink and stamped crackles over the frame before adding a finishing touch of Vintage Gold Foil to the edges to create a touch of opulence and shimmer.

Finally, I added some Remnant Rubs to the top left and bottom right of the frame and it's ready to go.

Now that my frame is complete, it's time to create my artifact and for this I took two of the pieces from the pack to create my flaming heart and removed the hooks from each piece before gluing them together to make one complete piece. I then wrapped a piece of rusty wire around the neck.

Next, I mixed some Mini Art Stones into a small amount of Soft Matte Gel and applied them to my heart and also around the neck, where the two pieces join before painting the entire surface with Blue/Gold Opal Acrylic Paint ~ which is just a stunning colour!

Let the paint dry before dry brushing Gold Metallique Paint over the top.

To create even more impact and shimmer, I added some Gold Rush Glass Glitter and then allowed everything to dry thoroughly before attaching the piece to the inside of my frame, laying it over the top of some natural florist fibres.

At this stage, I also added some Melange Pebble pieces around the heart.

To complete my heart I added a rusty gear to the centre and a beautiful aqua pearl from the 28 Lilac Lane Minty Fresh Embellishment Bottle.

To complete the piece, I attached one of Tim Holtz's Word Bands, using twine to secure it into place and coloured the band using more of the Gold Metallique Paint....

...before then finishing the frame with two small metal cogs to each of the corners at the top and added an upturned bottle top and knob.

I am so happy with how this project turned out, I love it and now, all that's left to do is proudly display this piece in my craft room!

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 Stamp. You 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:

Tim Holtz Stamps: Cracks and Specks

Distress Paint: Frayed Burlap

Prima Relics and Artifacts: Flaming Hearts, Rectangle Wooden Trays

Prima Art Ingredients Products: Soft Matte Gel, Gold Rush Glass Glitter, Mini Art Stones, Gold Rush Metallique Paint, Blue/Gold Metallique Acrylic Paint, Melange Pebbles

Finnabair Mechanicals: Mini Knobs, Steampunk Gears

Prima Mixed Media: Silicone Brush

Prima Color Bloom Gold Foil Spray

Idea-ology: Observations Word Band, Plain Tissue Wrap, Special Delivery Remnant Rubs

Tim Holtz Distress Collage Medium

PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Chalk Paint

Ranger Ink Cool Graphite Ink Pad

Ranger Ink Vintage Transfer Foil Sheets

Collage Glue

Ranger Craft Sheet

Blending Tool

Heat Gun

Floristry fibres, bottle tops, rusty wire and small gears all from my own stash