Tuesday 10 September 2013

Alison Bomber Project #3 Third Time Lucky ....



"Hi, it’s Alison, back again with the third and last of my trio of trios.  And, although this one may look the simplest (an elegant simplicity, I hope), it was actually the most complicated to make, I think! It didn’t help that I started off in completely the wrong direction...  I wanted to use the fabulous coated Greyboard that Leandra’s been mentioning in recent videos, and I had an idea in my head that I would do some weathered white crackle over a multi-coloured background". 






So I dotted Eggplant, Hyde Park and Baltic Blue onto the coated side and used a brush to randomly blend the colours.






So far, so good.  Next, I added the Crackle Glaze - a fine coat, applied with a palette knife (one of my best ever buys: three differently shaped plastic knives for £1!) and once it was dry, I used a paintbrush to add Snowflake Fresco over the top. 






Generally, you shouldn’t go back over an area you’ve already painted when you’ve got Crackle Glaze already starting work underneath, but I wanted a really bold distressed look, so - as well as adding the paint quite thickly, for deep, wide crackles - I did use the brush to drag some of the paint away in places.  I hoped that would give a nice big space for the vari-coloured background to show through.






I like the dramatic, well-worn crackle effect I’ve got, but I was sad that my dark base colours didn’t seem to show up much.  And by this point, I’d also started operations with my bottles, and that was changing my thinking... so I did a rapid re-think.  I turned the three boards over and started again!






This time I used Tinned Peas, Hyde Park and Toad Hall, again dotted on, and you’ll see this time we’re on the uncoated grey side of the board - no matter, it works perfectly well as a surface too!






This time I scraped the paint into place with a piece of stiff shiny card which happened to be sitting around.  Not a credit card - but that would also do the job.






Crackle Glaze time again, and this time I added the Snowflake over the top using some Cut N Dry foam for a much smaller, more delicate crackle - more of a porcelain crackle - though I did vary the thickness of application so that you get some variety of texture. 






You can really see the different effects of the thicker brush application, with dragging (, and the softer sponging.






Much happier this time... I sanded back a bit around the edges to reveal more of the greens, as I knew by this time that green was going to play a major role in what came next.






I have to say, the whole business of trying to decide some time in advance what products I might want to use in any given week, did give me slight headache.  It’s not in my normal process to think and plan in advance... I’m much more likely to start out without any idea of where I’m going!  But, with the advance planning which was necessary here, one thing which did bob up for me was the idea of creating some dimensional “glass” bottles with the fabulous images in HP1203 and HP1204.





Of course, as it turned out, I ended up using only the HP1203 bottle for this particular project - it just worked better to have all three bottles the same shape, than to have one odd one out.  And I wasn’t really sure how it would all work out, so I’ve got to say I love the results - just look at them in the sunshine!





I used some acetate packaging (left over from a Tim Holtz die, if I remember rightly), and stamped the bottle in Olive Archival... and waited... and heated... and waited... and heated some more...  Nope, no go.  Everybody’s right: Archival doesn’t want to dry on acetate.  And I was so sad, because it looked so cool, too!






But this presented me with a problem.  The only StazOn I have is black, and that didn’t look nearly so cool.... even when I tried stamping it onto some alcohol inked acetate instead of the clear.  Thankfully, I remembered that I could make the green ink stay put if I were to clear emboss it into place... so that’s what I did.






I used combinations of Olive and Library Green, so that you get slightly different shades of glass, and in one case, a darker shadow down one side of the bottle - I like that one!   You have to heat with care as you emboss the ink, since the acetate will start to want to melt and move... we want that to happen, but not just yet.





When it came to moulding the bottles, I used the sanding block to get the 3D edge I needed.  If I’d used the round bottle, I’d’ve shaped around a Fresco bottle or glue stick, depending on the diameter, but since I had a square bottle, it was edges not curves I was after.






Now it just remained to get the flowers “inside” the bottles, and the right-shaped quotes “outside” the bottles.  It took some quite precise positioning - again done with tissue paper versions of the stamps I wanted to use, to make sure everything would fit.






You’ll see that at this point I still had the iris in the mix, as well as only one flower in the left-hand bottle.  Still playing... and I also knew I’d need some partial stamping to get the flowers I wanted inside the narrow necks of the bottles.







I love the meadow grass stamp from HP1005... I extended its stem by re-stamping upside-down.  I quite like the little knot in the stem - like the knuckle in so many grassy stems.






I borrowed its stem to give the single flower head from HP1204  - which I’d decided would work better than the iris for these rustic vases - something to stand on.  I inked it up with the Olive Archival, and then wiped away any places where the ink had landed unnecessarily.





And with the large rambling flower from HP1203, I just wanted to use the two heads, so again, I inked them up one at a time, wiping away ink from any places that I wasn’t interested in having ink!






The sentiments are all stamped in double Archival. Coffee was too dull and Sepia was too bright, so each time I first inked up the words with Coffee, and then added Sepia over the top of that before stamping.  I like the depth it gives to the colour.








The final step was realising my dimensional bottles really needed something “to stand on”. 






The little strips of Crunchy Wax Paper were the perfect solution - toning in with the colour of the words, and also retaining some translucence, so that you can still see the crackle underneath - love that, a very happy accident.






Just a hint of Vintage Photo to age up the edges, and my final trio is done. 






These panels may be my favourite of the three threes - I don’t know though... what do you think?







Thank you so much for your visits and comments this week... I’m so looking forward to seeing what turns up in response to my botanical trios.  See you out there, and back here next month!


Leandra Says: Ohhhh loving the embossed acetate...that was very brave, but those embossing blobbies look like water drops on the glass! How cool, and bending round the corner was clever too! Fab trio!

Gillian Says: How cool do those dimensional bottles look ... glad you percivered to get the right effect. So many interesting tips/techniques in tonight's project, the Crunchy Wax Paper strips are brilliant and adds another whole 3d look to the project. Another beautiful trio of Botanicals Alison.






57 comments:

sam21ski said...

WOW What fantastic crackle you've got going there and love how you've used the bottle, they really look like they have them stems in them, great job Alison

Sam xxx

Miriam said...

Gorgeous!! I love that crackle paint! It's the nest I have used!! Love your work again tonight - I almost ordered the stamp set with the bottle last night- I am now kicking myself!!

Helen said...

Gorgeous bottles - I love that stamp on the set but don't think I've used it much. How fab to get the texture and blobbing from heating the acetate. I love these - shame I used all my greyboards on my day one project!

Unknown said...

Those bottles are genius! Well done! Fab project. xxx

craftimamma said...

These are just fabulous Alison. Wonderful crackle varigations and those bottles are genius!

Hugs
Lesley Xx

Anonymous said...

What a fab creation, full of ingenious ideas. I love the bottles.

Hazel Agnew said...

INCREDIBLE!!

Elly said...

Beautiful project and awesome discription. Who would know, that there are so many thoughts behind a project. Love it!

Unknown said...

I just absolutely adore these. What a brilliant project - thank you x

Mark said...

I like the colour combinations you used, and the wonderful big crackles. Beautiful projects again!

Claudia N. said...

Fantastic makes, all of them! Serious crafting envy over here!! ;)
Who provides a poor Austrian girl with such delicious stamps? Who?

But they are in good hands as far as I see it... ;)

Hugs,
Claudia x

Anonymous said...

Fabulous trio Alison ! Love the bottles, great idea to emboss to keep the colour. Sue C x

Craftyfield said...

The bottles are fabulous! Difficult job I reckon though...

Rita said...

Hi Alison. I have never seen anything like this before. Three magnificent pieces of art. Love all three of them. Hugs Rita xxx

mark gould said...

wow, Alison, those bottles look amazing, congrats on popping up here on paper artsy, such a good match.
love the little glassine paper touch under each bottle too x

massofhair said...

All three projects are fantastic. This is my favourite because of the dimensional bottles. Enjoyed your nature palette too:-)

Trish said...

Oh, I do love your 3D bottles, genius! Fantastic crackle, all of it is inspired - thank you!

ionabunny said...

Great tips and techniques. Love your bottles.

Paper Profusion said...

All your efforts have really paid off Alison and these are fabulous. You could almost take a sip from one of those very clever bottles! Superb work. Nicola x

Julie Lee said...

Another truly lovely project! I love the way you took us through the whole process, sharing your discoveries, thoughts, reflections and 'happy accidents' - so inspiring! It is just great to get an insight into the way your projects develop. Thank you for all the inspiration you've given this week, Alison, it's been tremendous! I'm not sure which project has been my favourite: I just know I really want to participate, if I can! Julie Ann x

Kathi said...

Wow! I love this trio too and refuse to pick a favorite.

Brilliant upcycling of packaging. I love that you bent it!

I also love the delicate crackle effect you achieved.

I've learned so much from your three posts! Thanks for sharing your technique tips, time, and talent!

Lucy said...

Absolutely wonderful, Alison! This is my favourite so far as I love those dimensional bottles so much. Great to hear your thought processes and solutions along the way,

Lucy x

nefertiti said...

Perfect work! I love the bottles!!!!
Bizz

Darcy Marshall said...

looks great, loved both of your crackled sides.

Annie said...

This is my favourite Alison x great tips and techniques. The crackle is fantastic and I love those wonderful bottles.... Quite Genius Miss Butterfly!!!! Wonderful projects indeed.

TFS and have a wee rest x

Annie x

Maggie said...

Awesome trio love the effects on the bottles and a great tip on moulding the shape, the crackle is fabulous really looks like old boards, liked your first crackle too but agree the green looks better, thanks for sharing this great project this is my fav one!

MaggieH

Renee said...

Amazing trio, absolutely brilliant!

Anonymous said...

Such a fabulous (and beautiful) home decor project - quite brilliant.
Wishes
Lynne

Deborah said...

So inventive - and I love the limited colour palette.

Micki said...

oh I love the embossed acetate bottles!!!! I was shouting at the screen "Nooooo, use the blue side", lol because I LOVED how that looked. The other side is awesome too and the final result is spectacular.

Redanne said...

So glad that you persevered Alison, your trio is superb! Hugs, Anne x

Candy C said...

Alison...I loved reading your process on creating this lovely little bottle trio. Ingenious use of the green ink on the packaging and how to get it to stick! You are so smart! :) I also love how you were able to mold the plastic while it was still hot. It looks fantastic! Love the all of the stamps you've used. They look like they were created for just this project! <3 Candy

Linda Hart said...

Alison, I liked the way you showed us from the start and then changed your mind. The bottles look very cool, but did I miss you telling how you attached them to the backboard? I'll go back and read it again in case you did!

barbarayaya62 said...

What a fabolous project! love the dimensional bottles and you're the queen of crackle!BArbarayaya

Maelchen said...

Oh Alison, another marvellous project! I can well imagine you are exhausted! I know by experience too, that the simplest look sometimes needs a maximum of work... But hey, look at it: you triptych is gorgeous in all its elegant "simplicity", PaperArtsy have chosen well in choosing you a guest designer!
Have a nice, not too tiring, day!
Manu

Sid said...

Super tutorial with loads of great techniques....... food for thought !

Words and Pictures said...

Hello all - thank you so much for all the amazing feedback - so happy you liked the trios! And I'll do my best to repay some visits over the next few days.

Just a quick answer to Linda's question: you're right, I don't think it is mentioned how I attached the bottles - a thin trickle of Glossy Accents along the very edges, and then some patient holding-in-place! Hope that helps.
Alison x

toni said...

Fabulous threesome! What a very clever idea with the acetate embossed bottles !! I think this is going to be turning up on a few projects in the very near future. Wonderful work Alison!
Toni xx

Unknown said...

Oh how lovely!! I think this may be my favourite of the week.
Fabulous projects Alison!

Mary Elizabeth said...

Thank you. Thank you! Thank you for all the details of how you developed this triptych!!! Wow -- so many amazing creative ideas here. I love it!!! The end result is fabulous and I can see why it would be your favorite. I love it when you share how you think through the creative process in your blogs. We get a glimpse of how you bring what in your artistic eye to life and how you create such innovative way to do just that.

Really beautiful piece. Love the crackle (version 2 is perfect for this project), the two colors of ink on the molded bottles (wouldn't have thought to do that -- but is precisely what you needed here), and the crunchy wax paper as a semitransparent shadow! Just fabulous!! -- Mary Elizabeth

cathylynn said...

You are a genius! Love the dimensional bottles. This trio is gorgeous!
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

Gio said...

Oh I admit it's my fave one!! Simple and elegant . Those bottles are amazing, as well as the flowers and the sentiment. Pure perfection!

pearshapedcrafting said...

Love the 'glass' bottles - yes green is much better for this although I did like the darker one too! Glad you were patient enough to do this - a fabulous trio! Chrisx

Astrid Maclean said...

Great make Alison, those bottles look so 3D, very creative indeed. The crackle looks gorgeous too!

Jennie Atkinson said...

Breathtakingly beautiful Alison - I love these more than the others and I loved them greatly too! Those bottles are amazing. You are so inspirational and so full of amazing creative ideas. The background crackle is superb (I probably would have stopped there!).

Jacqui Chimes said...

Love this

Cocofolies said...

I thought I had already comment on this brillant artwork..?! A really perfect and AMAZING trio, what a beautiful masterpiece !!! Hugs, Coco xx

Dorthe said...

Spectacular 3-d bottles -what a great way, and then embossing to keep the green ink from Arcival ..I have tried drying such also :-((
theis is a fanatstic project,-so love the crackle also dear Alison!! -and beautiful with the flowers into the bottles, and bte text outside !
xo, Dorthe

Nan G said...

Fabulous!
Gorgeous!
Brilliant use of so many techniques!
My fave three of the three!

Etsuko said...

Fabulous three projects! I love everything! Thank you for sharing.

Gerrie Johnnic said...

Yee gads girl, you are so brilliant! I love love love this trio, and what you have done..your bottles look so real, so old, so fab! You rock Allison!!!

Jenny Marples said...

Almost a shame to cover that beautiful background. And wow! You put some amazing effort into creating the bottles but it was really worth it. Love this trio. Hugs, Jenny x

Alexa said...

Well ... do glad I popped over and took a detailed look at this project. I'm totally with you on the crackle, having just done a similar process on a butterfly. Loved the sanding back on the edges - really cool. The bottles on acetate was inspirational and the whole project is just incredible. x

Bonnie Irvine said...

This is the most amazing project. I love the crackle backgrounds ...so cool that you can get different effects by changing the applicator. The bottles are unbelievable...such a cool effect. I never would have thought of clear embossing as a solution. The flowers are so light and airy...summer's last hurrah. Thanks for sharing your process. I always learn so much from you, Alison. My wish list grows exponentially after one of your posts :)

Kezzy said...

WOW WOW WOW WOW absolutely gorgeous Alison, I love the bottle with the flower what a fantastic idea and looks amazing, I have ended up buying it now!!!! lol :-) Kezzy xxx

Michelle Webb said...

Genius, these are amazing! Michelle x

Doda Smith said...

Those panels are just gorgeous!