Tuesday, March 12, 2013

A Whole Lotta Green!

***FYI: I've been getting horrible Anonymous Spam Comments so I've had to enable the dreaded "Enter What You See Here" thingamajig, at least for a while.  I'm so sorry for the inconvenience, and if you don't want to leave a comment, no biggie, I understand. 

Hi crafty peeps! Thank you for all the emails, tweets, facebook messages, and even texts from those of you wishing me a get well. It's not been a good few months for my immune system. ;0) Even the doctor chewed me out and said I can't venture out in public until I get boosted up and get healthier, which means lots more sleep. Easier said than done. Just started my third round of new antibiotics today. If this doesn't work I will have to become a real hermit!
Anyway, back to this post. A whole lotta green don't mean money money money, unfortunately, but instead means color! It's almost St. Patrick's Day, and it's a day we celebrate here at our house, so I've made a few things.
The current Making Art Challenge at the Everything Wendy Vecchi Yahoo Group is "Shadowbox". HUH? This was definitely a challenge for me, as I didn't want to use a premade box, and I already had my tag planned out and I was not going to budge on the main design of it, which was using a very traditional love/friendship/loyalty symbol of Ireland, the Claddagh, although this one is a little non traditional looking.  So I tried many things, but ultimately came up with making a teeny tiny shadowbox inside the heart of this Claddagh, a treasure of sorts. I hope that counts!
I am also submitting this tag to Hels Sunday Stamper for "Use Some New Stash",  and to the Artistic Stamper Creative Team Blog challenge for "Tags".
I tried out many Maya Road crowns, this one did not make the cut, but Wendy's Parts did. I did bend the fingers a bit to mimic holding the heart. These Parts can take a beating. I cut a rectangle bubble from some packaging from Tim's Idea-ology Keyholes.
I found some shamrock paper from literally 15 years ago, gave it some of Dyan's Dylusions, and adhered it to the package bubbles, now shadowboxes. I adhered these to the hearts, and then covered them with Wendy's Gold Embossing Paste that I just spackled on. I should have added some other stuff in there, like gold coins or something, but hind sight you know!
The hands were painted with Victorian Velvet Distress Paint, and her nails were manicured with Distress Markers. A little ribbon and a gold hightlighted puffy silk shirt made from Prima Flowers, and they were ready to go.
The crown was painted with Ranger's Silver Paint Dabber and then covered with Rock Candy Distress Crackle Paint. After it was dried, I misted it with Butterscotch Color Wash to seep into all the cracks. I wiped the rest off. I added emerald green rhinestones, gold cord, and a green rose from my stash to finish it off.
More 15 year old paper was adhered to a piece of corrugated paper...to the front side to give extra strength after I mutilated it.
I turned it over to the back portion, and used all the greens from Tim's Distress Paints and just painted some stripes on in each color. I left brown areas from the base on purpose.
I used the two background images from Wendy's new Heirloom Art and Sunshine In Art from Stamper's Anonymous, and hand stamped them in Jet Black Archival so only portions of them showed up and I didn't crush the ridges of the base underneath with my major stamping muscles when I use a block.
I tore portions of all that hard work away, revealing the corrugated ridges underneath. The distressed look is very cool I think. I was able to cut this piece into two #10 jumbo sized tags and two #5 small tags (I just traced around them and cut out with scissors.).
Carolyn from The Crafty Scrapper wanted me to try out Tsukineko's Goosebumps Texture Spray, I have never used it before. I thought it would be perfect to add a little more texture here and to protect parts of the brown corrugated paper from being colored. I wanted portions of it to remain as it was. I was worried of course, but BINGO...it worked, gave it shine, gave it texture, and even darkened parts of the brown areas where I sprayed it a little more heavy. I love this stuff! My wheels are turning on how to use it next. It reminds me of the starch I used to cook on the stove, spray on my jeans, and then have to iron them of course for the crispest pair of pants you ever wore. They stood by themselves. Those days are over!!!! Boy was I dumb!
Next, I took a Wendy Diamond Stencil and Bottle Paint Dabber and added it here and there. Love!
And the last thing I did to finish this background off was spray it up with some Dylusions in Lemon Zest, Squeezed Lime, and Fresh Cut Grass. The Distress Paints, Acrylic Paint, and Goosebumps all acted like resists, so only the untouched base brown areas were colored! LOVE!!!! I could totally have a wall look like this...even in green! I love this background!
A little Citrus Alcohol Ink and these Idea-ology Plaquettes were perfectly Irish. ;0) I added everything on, and found some more trims perfect for this, like Maya Road's Zippered Ribbon in the perfect shade of green, and I even found some beads that I am sure someone forced me to wear one St. Pat's!
 
I also made a card for a friend as well, using basically the same supplies, but I tweaked an image of Wendy's from her new Heirloom Art set that I thought was perfect for St. Pat's!
I used watercolor paper for a card base, and sprayed it with water. Then I added Salty Ocean, Bundled Sage, and Peeled Paint Distress Paints and blended it all up with the water again. FUN! It's matte and strong. I stamped Wendy's Flower Image in Jet Black Archival three times.
I stamped this background image over it in Olive Archival Ink, covering up some of the areas I didn't want stamped with sticky notes. I drew in more leaves with a black Sharpie so that they now look more like shamrocks.
Using Distress Markers, I just started coloring in the leaves and flowers. I also used a White Uniball Signo Pen to help, and added a little doodling with the Sharpie.
A Pearl Paint Dabber made clouds, and Stickles added shine to the leaves. I found some pearl string and added more flowers. I added the sentiment From Crafty Secrets, and Butterfly Pins from Maya Road.

Supplies:  The Crafty Scrapper


Corrugated Cardboard
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Paint In Mowed Lawn
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Paint In Peeled Paint
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Paint In Bundled Sage
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Paint In Forest Moss
Stamper’s Anonymous Wendy Vecchi Sunshine and Art Stamp Set
Stamper’s Anonymous Wendy Vecchi Heirloom Art Stamp Set
Ranger Archival Ink In Jet Black
Tsukineko Goose Bumps Clear Texture Spray
Wendy Vecchi Stencils For Art Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend
Ranger Adirondack Acrylic Paint Dabber In Bottle
Ranger Dyan Reaveley Dylusions Ink Sprays In Lemon Zest
Ranger Dyan Reaveley Dylusions Ink Sprays In Squeezed Lime
Ranger Dyan Reaveley Dylusions Ink Spray In Fresh Cut Grass
Wendy Vecchi Art Part In Dress Forms and More
Maya Road Large Chipboard Crown
Dreamweaver Wendy Vecchi Embossing Paste In Gold
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Paint In Victorian Velvet
Ranger Adirondack Acrylic Paint Dabber In Silver
Ranger Tim Holtz Crackle Paint In Rock Candy
Ranger Adirondack Color Wash In Butterscotch
Prima Craftable Flowers
Ranger Adirondack Acrylic Paint Dabber In Gold
Maya Road Zipper Ribbon In Green
Tim Holtz Idea-ology Number Plaquettes
Ranger Adirondack Alcohol Ink In Citrus
Tim Holtz Distress Paint In Salty Ocean
Tim Holtz Distress Markers
Uniball Signo White Pen
Ranger Stickles In Orange Peel
Ranger Stickles In Firefly
Ranger Stickles In Mystic Green
Ranger Adirondack Acrylic Paint Dabber In Pearl
Crafty Secrets Card Sentiments Stamp Set
Ranger Archival Ink In Olive
Specialty Stamping Paper 8.5 x11
Tim Holtz Distress Ink In Black Soot
Ranger Inkssentials Ink Blending Tool
Prima Green Mini Roses
Maya Road Trinket Pins In Vintage Butterfly

I hope your hands get creatively dirty soon!

55 comments:

  1. Anita this tag is stunning! Fantastic all details and colors! Love the zip !!!! barbarayaya

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  2. Wow Anita this is amazing. I love the way you have put this together......so beautiful.

    Brilliant canvas too. Please take it easy my friend x

    Annie x

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  3. That is just amazing what you showing here Anita wow. Absolutely fantatic... just love your art a lot!!!
    XOXO SanDee

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  4. Wow Anita, what a fabulous piece of ART. Take time to relax too. Hugs Rita xxx

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  5. Fabbylicious art sweetie.... now you listen to Mr Doctor... and do as you are told... I truly hope these latest biotics zap whatever bug you have hunny... and feel better soon!!!! See you... next month!!! Thanks for joining in with the Sunday Stamper xxx

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  6. Great makes and thanks for the clear step by step! Love them and that gorgeous green colour just sings to me! As far as spam comments are concerned, have you tried changing your settings to no anonymous comments allowed?

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  7. Even when you are feeling poorly you create the most amazing art! Love, love, love your St Pat's tag and card. The little shadow box was a genius idea and looks beautiful. Also love the way you distressed the corrugated card and used the Goosebumps (love that stuff too). Please take care and do what the Doc says - get well soon! Big hugs, Anne x

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  8. My green eyes are dancing ALL over the place here. You have done a bang up job with the festive greens and those little hands with nails painted...so stinkin' CUTE and your card to your friend...GORGEOUS!!!!! I've never wanted to make cornbeef and cabbage MORE! WOW...despite feeling icky, you've not let that hinder your creative genius. Love your little bitty shadow box and all the luck that oozes from this post. Awesome job my friend.
    p.s..I must be daft, because I totally don't get what you mean by the "hint hint" on my blog..LOL. I lost my secret decoder pen and my lucky 8 ball is stuck on 'try again'....
    HUGE HUGS,
    Lisa xx

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  9. Very good art work...

    Thank you very much for putting the stepper. Very enlightening.

    Best wishes from Buenos Aires...

    http://www.alexiev.com.ar/
    Proyectos - Illustrations
    Alexiev Store - venta de originales
    @alexievg en twitter

    Mirame en Art Attack
    Mirame en Art Attack de nuevo

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  10. Love, love, LOVE both the tag and the card!!!!!!!!!!! I learned so many neat things on these...now to try them out later today. Thank you!!!

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  11. Wow, this is absolutely gorgeous!!! I love seeing your creative process, it's so inspiring! Thanks for sharing another fabulous creation!!

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  12. Oh, my Irish eyes are smilin'! I cannot begin to tell you how much I adore this tag. One of my all time favorites. From the flower petal sleeves to the sweet little shadowbox inside the heart to the wonderful layering of color on that corrugated cardboard. I am just blown away by the creativity and beauty here. Give yourself a pat on the back, my dear! Such a privilege to view your amazing artistry. I literally say, "Oh, goodie!" every time I see a new post from you. Praying you will recover completely. Rest, rest, rest. We have this tea we drink to boost immune system and fight viruses. Hot tea of your choice, add some milk, honey , ground cloves and several grinds of black pepper. It really helps, and is very soothing. Sending you love and hugs.

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  13. So glad to know I'm not the only one who has hoarded...errr...hung onto stuff for 15 years!! What a difference a little Dylusions did on the paper! Love your St Patrick's Day creation.

    You need to rest, girl. Listen to your mama's voice in your head. You KNOW she's telling you to rest. You won't get better if you don't. Sending you hugs from across the Gulf of Mexico and hoping it's far enough away that you don't transmit your germies to me!!

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  14. Cool! Love the teenie shadowbox...lol...perfect! Thanks so much for joining the MAC Anita!

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  15. I love this Anita wonderful piece.I love the way you built your piece wonderful and good luck in all your challenges
    susan s.

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  16. First, I sure hope you are feeling loads better and that this third round does the trick. What a long haul you've had of being under the weather! Now onto that gorgeous tag - what a super way to do the shadowbox! I love the hands holding the heart (complete with funky cuffs... awesome!) and the way you jazzed up that #17. Great card, too! Now go put your feet up for awhile and chill out, girrrrrrrrrrl.

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  17. Loving both of your beautiful projects Anita. Spammers are such a flaming nuisance....Hope you feel better soon. Hugs Annette x

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  18. I noticed you were much less active in posting Anita but didn't realise you were so poorly! Listen to the medics and don't push yourself - SERIOUSLY!

    Your St. Paddy's Day project is brilliant - those manicured hand and genius sleeves are majorly surreal. I love the card for your friend too! Oh I can feel all the green stuff a comin'!!

    Hope you feel much better soon. Nicola x

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  19. I wish you as soon as possible back to health!
    Wow!!!This tag is so fabulous I love it :) The background is really stunning and all elements are wonderful and I love the hands that hold the heart so great idea to do this on St. Patrick's day. Also you make the beautiful card. It has fantastic colors and the flowers are lovely.
    Greetings Asia :)

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  20. I'm seeing the green! Fantabulous tag and card. Your attention to detail (painting the fingernails, who does that? So cool) and the textured layering make it. Great art Anita! Please rest and get better soon.

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  21. Love the greens on both your creations Anita! My favorite is the gorgeous tag..thanks for showing the "birth" with the inspiring pictures!

    kind regards, Alie :-)

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  22. So sorry to hear you've been so unwell... hope that now you're under doctor's orders that things will improve big time.

    Love your St P's Day pieces - fabulous corrugated tags, with the Citrus plaquettes such a brilliant touch, and your card is just lovely too...
    Alison xx

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  23. I love the green on this Anita, and your little shadow box idea is fabulous. Love how,the hands appear to be holding the heart too. Sorry to hear you have been feeling unwell, hope,things improve soon. Tracy x

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  24. Love the both of your fabulous creations...they are both full of wonderful detail...your tutorials are always full of inspriation.... I am so sorry to hear you have been so unwell...Wish you well soon... Take care! Hugs May x x x

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  25. Great St. Patrick's Day projects, Anita. The tag's background is very cool. The texture is amazing as is the design. Flower petals for sleeves...whoda thunk it! Love the tiny shadowbox in the heart...and the fabulous zippered trim. The card is equally delightful. Great use of stamps and paint. love the scene you created and the addition of the 3d elements. Feel better soon...it's hard to slow down but the payoff of feeling better will be huge. You are getting sleepy...sleepy...sleepy...

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  26. Both are fabulous! Take care.

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  27. Great Projects Hon!! Love your take on the shadowbox challenge! Now get some rest!!!

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  28. Great Projects Hon and I love your take on the shadowbox challenge! Now get some rest Woman!! :-)

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  29. Fantastic projects, LOVE the tag. Take care of yourself, hope you feel better soon.

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  30. Wow, love your hand done Claddagh! How brilliant! Love the cuffs too. Your card with the rolling hills is great too. I was lucky when I was 21 (many many years ago) to go to Ireland and all the green and fields are some of my family memories there. Lovely job. (I have been having a lot of spam too, but for me, it is only posts that I blogged my tags. Very very weird. I am getting it on old posts. Strange... Feel better, try and rest up when you can!

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  31. To say you are supposed to be resting you seem to have been very busy here! Love all the elements on your tag (what a creative idea for the shadowbox) and the card is such fun. Huge get well hugs to you. Jenny x

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  32. To say you are supposed to be resting you seem to have been very busy here! Love all the elements on your tag (what a creative idea for the shadowbox) and the card is such fun. Huge get well hugs to you. Jenny x

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  33. ooh! Fabulous tag...thanks for playing along at The Artistic Stamper this month.
    xoxo Sioux

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  34. Anita, Way back I removed the "allow anonymous" comments for that reason and have not had any problems. Anyway, again I am in wowville and just love this going green! Have a wonderful day and feel better! Hugs!

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  35. Oh my -- your tag is so very clever and certainly well done and your card outstanding -- beautiful work! I am keeping this on my blog for a while for inspiration!! You do need rest and plenty of fluids and the very beast diet you can eat. Will hold you in my heart that you will be well as soon as possible!
    Sandy

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  36. Love this tag Anita! Love the way you've used the corrugated card to make the tag and the dimensional bits as well . Your card is yet another gorgeous creation. I do hope you start to feel better soon i hope your family are looking after you xx

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  37. So sorry to hear you're still aren't all better yet! Hope this time the meds will work and it all will be over soon! What a great green tag this is! Love the hands and the heart. And of course the corrugated cardstock! I'm in love with that stuff! Hugs, Sandra

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  38. Wow, I just threw out the plastic packaging from some Tim stuff but you've got me thinking about what i could do with it. This is amazing, thank you for the inpiration.

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  39. I hope you will be better soon, rest and follow doctor's orders, easier said than done, I know. Great tag and card, love your take on the shadow box for the challenge, and great interpretation of the Claddagh design.

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  40. Green is good my dear and your tags are great. I am sorry about the nasty spammers I have been getting so many of them had to do something drastic also. don't ya hate it? keep up witht he beautiful work and always enjoy what you are doing. xoxox

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  41. Happy St. Patty's day to you!! It is my favorite holiday, and from your gorgeous tag -love, love, love the green and the claddagh, oh my!, I can see you like it too! Love what you did with the cardboard, and all the layers...that should go in a very special place where the wee leprechauns can enjoy it!!
    Sorry to hear you have been sick...hope you get better soon.
    Healing hugs!

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  42. Great projects and happy St. Patrick!

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  43. Just love those sleeve cuffs. Fabulous tag. So sorry you have been ill, been out of the loop for a couple of weeks. On holiday in Thailand with my man, Steve. Highly reccomend it. Good for the soul and will hopefully recharge the old mojo too. Take care

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  44. This is a wonderful Geen project and shadow box, I just love it!!! The hands holding the heart are fantastic!!! Gt some rest girl and I really hope your feeling better soon sweetie.

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  45. I love your blog and the fact that you do such wonderful tutorials.
    Beautiful art, beautiful ideas and inspiration . . . and a warm and friendly site. Love, love, love it.
    Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  46. Happy Funky St. Patrick's Day! Great project, love the putffy shirt sleeves. Brilliant.

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  47. Great tag, Anita! Fantastic techniques and details - love the claddagh and mini shadow box with shamrock! Hope you're feeling better soon, Lisa x

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  48. First of all, I wish you a speedy recovery and that the antibiotics will help. St. Patrick is not here but what you've been working again - Wow - this is fantastic - I'm always happy when I can follow your step by step instructions because I can learn so much from you. Many greetings, Dagmar

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  49. I love it all and all that gorgeous green is fantastic. I wish you well with your health, sorry to read you've not been feeling good.

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  50. Hey Anita!!! Your St. Patty's tags and card are awesome! I love your designs and of course, how that creative brain of yours works to even think up such cool stuff! :) Hope that you are feeling better....sorry that you've been so sick, my friend. I also want to thank you for taking the time to stop by my blog and leave such nice comments on some of my latest posts. I have no clue why you're not receiving my blog posts....very weird! Feel better and have a good Sunday! <3 Candy

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  51. Gorgeous tag Anita, love how you've created the background and the hands holding the heart are fab !! Sorry to hear you're not feeling so well, I hope you get on the road to recovery very soon. Sue C x

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  52. This is great Anita. Happy St Patrick's Day to you all.
    Sorry to hear you are not well and sending hugs over to you.
    xx

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  53. Love love corrugated cardboard! What a fabulous base layer for your tag. Really great tag. And I love the mug you made for your son. How fun and a great sentiment.

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  54. Wonderful wonderful wonderful Yes I love both creations :)
    Von ☺

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