2017 #4 Unlocking The Past {by Miriam Grazier}

2017 Topic 4: Doors, Windows, Architecture

Miriam has mastered the art of Verdigris painting in this post! It's so easy to create rustic painterly effects with some stippling and layering of paint, and Seth's colours are perfect for this as Miriam explains below...

Hi everyone, Miriam here from Miriam's Creative Dreams.

Lovely to be here on the PA blog tonight. I've chosen to share with you a slide mailer that I have altered. 

For my project I have chosen to use Eclectica Sara Naumann stamps.  These are my go-to stamps because I love the textures and words.  They can be used for so many types of projects and are always out on my craft desk.  

My project also used the fabulous Seth Apter colours of Fresco Finish Paints which I have used to create a rust effect that I have been lucky to see Seth demonstrate.

This technique has become one of my favourites.  I have spent years trying to create a vintage and 'rust' feel and this technique has been a 'light bulb' moment for me as it is easy and effective.

I had so much fun creating this.  As soon as I saw the topic I immediately thought about altering a slide mailer.  And suddenly the inspiration started flowing.

I simply adore the Seth Apter colours of Fresco Finish paints - the colours just seem to work whether I want to create a bright or vintage project! And being Fresco Finish paints they cover beautifully and work really well together with a mix of opaque, semi-opaque and translucent paints.

The Sara Naumann stamps made me think of a house, or more like, a home.  And how you feel when you move into your first home and want to treasure the key forever.

I was so excited about creating a rust effect on the key and lock.  Believe it or not, they are not even made of the same material - the key is metal and the lock thick board. And now they fit together just perfectly!

This is a closer look at the 'rust' on the key.  How amazing is this technique?!

I had so much fun applying more and more paints until I told myself that enough was enough!  I simply adored this technique and literally wanted to 'rust' everything that I could get my hands on.

I used ESN03 and ESN08 to stamp words onto tissue paper using Archival ink.

I then heat set the ink to make sure that it didn't bleed.  I then tore around the tissue as near to the words as possible.  I also had left over tissue with an infusion background and so tore strips of this too.  I then attached the words and strips to my project using matte medium.

I next started to assemble my project.  I rubbed paint into the door to make it look weathered, and added a small amount of crackle glaze to the niche inside the mailer.

I learnt so much from this project.  It taught me that I did not have to use lots of materials to create a vintage piece.  I also learnt that Fresco Finish paints can be used for so much more than simply painting. I really hope you try the rust technique out for yourself.  It is so much fun.  Seth's mantra of 'more is more' is so absolutely true in this technique.  My only watch out now is to not attempt to 'rust' everything that I can get my hands on - goodness knows what visitors would think if I did.   I'm hoping to use the rust technique on garden planters - I think this might look really effective in the garden in the summer.

Thank you for joining me tonight.  I hope you have enjoyed my project as much as I had creating it.

Blog: Miriam's Creative Dreams
Twitter: @MiriamGrazier

Wow Miriam, you really have been bitten by the 'Seth bug'. I think it's pretty contagious too, as I see much Fresco-rustified-creativity out there in blogland, so you are in good company! The slide mailer and textures you also created with Sara's stamps is awesome!! ~ Leandra

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