2020 #7 Under the Sea: Fossilized Fish Bones with Ink & The Dog Minis {by Autumn Clark}

2020 Topic 7: Under The Sea

'Deep sea' explorations can unearth beauties like these tonight. Autumn has managed to create experimental pieces that look fossilised. The shine looks like they're deep under the ocean too. Plenty of techniques to get your teeth into!
~ Keren

Hi everyone, it's Autumn Clark from SewPaperPaint with you today, and I'd like to share with you a couple of tags inspired by deep sea fossils with an unmistakable underwater vibe.

There are only two Ink & The Dog Mini Stamps of fish and I really wanted to create a project that would showcase them and for their incredible design.  Sometimes the best way to do that is with a bit of texture...

This process was filled with discovery.  First, I learned that if you add two layers of clear embossing and a third layer of a mixed media powder, (here our own Seth Apter's Deep Sea Baked Texture powder,) you get a really beautiful transparent embossed finish that actually looks like tinted glass.  Secondly, I discovered that you can stain Art Stones with Infusions to make your own colored embellishments.  Here I used In the Navy Infusions.  My final tidbit of discovery was in adding Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylics with a baby wipe through a stencil for a very soft and faded stencilled effect.  So grab yourself a cuppa...

I had in mind to use clear UTEE for my fossils and paint them, but after two layers (adhered with the Ranger embossing ink dauber onto torn edged watercolor card) it occurred to me that I could end with Seth's powder.  The result was much more transparent than if I had used three layers of his powder only (and much less wasteful I might add!)  

I kept my Mini stamps 100 and 101 at hand, inked with Versafine and when that last layer was just melted I impressed the stamp into the molten embossing powder.

Because my top layer of embossing was quite dark I didn't get the contrast I had hoped for.

First I turned to Distress Crayons in Rusty Hinge to try to bring back the contrast.  It didn't work as well on the fish as it did on the edges of my torn card and the pitted sections of the embossing.  But I am so glad I added it first!

So I applied PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic in Concrete to a piece of cut and dry foam and "inked" my stamp with it, carefully aligning with my first impression.  

I was instantly smitten!  

I then went onto do some gel printing with PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylics in Inky Pool with a little Concrete.   I used Kraft card for my prints, which I am loving doing with shades of blue these days.  I cut my prints into tag shapes, then to add a bit more detail I used PaperArtsy Stencil {by Scrapcosy} PS095 and carefully smoothed more Concreate through the circles using a baby wipe.  I'm not sure if I have seen this done before, but I instantly loved the technique!  The paint globs just a little along the edge of the stencil, to create somewhat of a shadow effect.  Brilliant!  Finally I added some stamping with Distress Oxides in Rusty Hinge using Mini Stamp 23.

 

I didn't want to go overboard using too many stamps, but needed a proper sentiment.  I used a portion of PaperArtsy Eclectica³ {Scrapcosy} Collection ESC12 on a scrap of my printed paper.  The creatures on this stamp set would be equally lovely embedded into UTEE, don't you think?  

As a final touch I layered my "fossils with some vintage crochet for faux fish netting.  I stained my Art Stones with In the Navy Infusions and adhered them with matte Mod Podge.  

I can't stress enough the importance of free play, experimenting with your supplies.  You truly never know what you will discover!  These tags remind me to dive deep and remain curious.   

Then again, your play may be with beautiful impressions of a flower or face, embedded into your chosen embossing powders.  Think of the many ways you can apply these techniques and run wild my friends!  It's all in the journey!

Stay safe, stay well and big hugs, Autumn

Blog: SewPaperPaint
Facebook: Autumn Clark
YouTube: Autumn Clark - SewPaperPaint
Instagram: @sewpaperpaint
Pinterest: Autumn S Clark