Side By Side...

Hello friends! Can you believe it's Monday already? These weeks are flying by at the moment but as always the start of a brand new week means the start of a brand new challenge over on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog and this week our theme is called...IT'S A FRAME UP!

So however you decide to interpret this fun challenge we can't wait to see what you create and hope you'll join in!

For my project this week, I was inspired to create a vintage wallhanging, which tells a story all about love, family and being side by side. I used an old embroidery hoop as my frame which I altered with Distress Paint and created the look of embroidered material on the background with Grit Paste.

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

 

I began with my 20cm (8") embroidery hoop and wanted to create a worn, aged look to the paintwork...so I applied a coat of gesso over the top and allowed it to dry before starting to layer my Distress Paints beginning with Walnut Stain. Add the paint over the entire surface of the hoop and dry, then I added a very thin layer of Ground Espresso. This was so thin, it's hardly there but it gives a richness to the previous layer. Once this layer was dry, I then went in with Tarnished Brass and Antiqued Bronze and dry brushed the paint over random areas of the hoop. Again heat dry before lightly sanding the wood to remove some of the paint.

Once I was happy with the finish, I moved onto my background and started by cutting a circle of acrylic canvas paper measuring 20cm in diameter. I applied a coat of Picket Fence Distress Paint over the top and then added layers of Tumbled Glass and Weathered Wood, blending the paints together with my fingers to provide a seamless wash of colour.

Heat dry the surface before scraping a layer of gesso over the top ~ I used an old out of date credit card for this and just drag the gesso down the paper. Again dry the layer of paint and then using Distress Crayons I wanted to add some darker tones ~ I used Pumice Stone, Black Soot and Broken China.

To add some texture to the background and to create the feel of embroidery I used Grit Paste which I applied through the Roses Layering Stencil onto three areas of my background, creating a perfect balance. I allowed the paste to dry before brushing Tumbled Glass Distress Paint over the top. 

I dried the paint again and then went in with the crayons, Pumice Stone and Tumbled Glass which really made the raised areas pop. I then added small amounts of gesso using my fingertips before smearing light amounts of Vintage Silk Wax over the top.

I attached the hoop onto the background and was now ready to start creating my scene.

For this I used the Botanical Layers ephemera and a Paper Dolls image. I wanted to purposely keep the image in the sepia tones as I wanted it to have a contrast to the bright flowers.

I attached some pieces directly onto the background using Collage Medium and then built up dimension with the next layer using foam pads.

I also added some delicate layered butterflies, which are punched from the Wallflower Vellum Stash.

To create the base for the family to stand on, I used pieces of driftwood. I applied small amounts of Walnut Stain Distress Paint to the wood and once again, sanded back the edges. I then stuck the wood over a base of cheesecloth which I coloured with Iced Spruce and Crushed Olive Distress Spray Stain.

For the texture, I used Mini Art Stones and small beads and attached them to the wood with 3D Gel. Once the gel was dry, I then added Fairy Wings and Dragon's Eye Sparks paint over the top.

Finally, I added the quote using Clippings Stickers to the driftwood and 28 Lilac Lane sequins scattered around the image applied directly to the background.

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 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 stopping by today and see you again very soon!

Love Emma xxx

Recipe for project:

Distress Paints: Walnut Stain, Picket Fence, Tumbled Glass, Weathered Wood, Tarnished Brass, Antiqued Bronze, Ground Espresso
Distress Crayons: Set 3 and Broken China
Distress Spray Stains: Crushed Olive, Iced Spruce
Tim Holtz Layering Stencil: Roses
Tim Holtz Sizzix Paper Punch: Butterfly
Idea-ology: Clippings Stickers, Botanical Layers, Paper Dolls, Wallflower Vellum Paper Stash
Mediums: Gesso, Collage Medium, Grit Paste
Prima Marketing Sparks Paints and Waxes: Dragon's Eye, Fairy Wings, Vintage Silk Art Opal Magic Wax
Mini Art Stones
Through The Woods ~ 28 Lilac Lane Embellishment Bottle

Sanding Tool
Palette Knife

Ranger Craft Sheet

Heat Gun
Cheesecloth, Canvas Paper, Driftwood Pieces and Embroidery Hoop from my own stash