Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Heavy Metal Princess!!!

It's time for the Funkies to show you their funk for the Frilly & Funkie challenge....sounds gross, but you know what I mean! Linda Coughlin of the Funkie Junkie is hosing this fortnightly challenge and the theme is "Altered Metals".  Linda says, "I love using metals in my card making and mixed media.  For this challenge use metals, but you must alter them somehow.  You can use alcohol inks, acrylic paint, embossing powder, or any other medium you choose. You can even dabble in rusting the metals yourself.  Have some fun and let's see your altered metals!" The design team has created some gorgeous metalized pieces...check them out, and you still have a week to submit your own. 
Linda Coughlin - The Funkie Junkie
Marjie Kemper - She Who Stamps and Scraps 
Teresa Kline - Paperie Blooms
Terry Horrall -  Terry's Work In Progress 
Sue Carrington - Stamping Sue Style 
Tammy Roberts - Paperie Sweetness
I haven't had the kind of mojo that lights my fire lately, and so I have been doing lots of creative magazine and book reading to ignite it.  Two in particular that I have revisited over and over, were Tim's first books, Distressables 1 & 2 (Hey Linda Ledbetter, start a new challenge using those as well, please). I started drawing out pictures in my art journal of ideas I had from viewing the books. They were all very different from my usual projected creations...hmmm, strange. One such project that really struck me was the 'Bottle Cap Buddy', on page 20 of Book 1. I love working with metals, wood, and natural materials the most besides getting painty and inky, so I threw myself into metal madness so to speak. I drew several images of my own 'buddy', so I knew exactly where I would start when I saw the challenge specifications for F&F.  I really wanted to do something different and exciting...something true to my creative nature and style but yet different.  This metal challenge was just what I needed to 'challenge' myself. I just wish I had more metal charms to alter...the supply is low, and these Vintaj Patinas are so much fun!!!
Warning: I took 67 photos to try to gain the best views and angles of this quirky project, and these 15 made the cut...sorry so many!
After getting all the metal pieces I needed to make Princess Metallica Spinster (Yes, that's her name. She is Mother Nature's little sister. The one who always took a backseat to her older sister, because she was only in charge of women and their biological clocks and not uh...the rest of the natural world! She was never married and had no children, but she loved to visit all of her nieces in the family.) I started painting each one with the Vintaj Patinas.
I painted more metals, sanded them all with reliefing block, and then gave everything a coat of glaze. I put the Princess together, but just didn't want her hanging around all the time, so I devised a way of putting her up (Well, really my doctor did.) so that I could look at her when I wanted and think of all the happy times when she came to visit me.
I found this metal gutter guard at a hardware store, and knew that I could use it somehow for crafting. it was very easy to transform into a tag...my Tim scissors cut right through pretty easily.
I gave it a good coat of Sail Boat Blue Alcohol Ink. I just could not ignore AI as it's my favorite to color metal. 
Since the edges could be potentially dangerous to my fingers or others, I wrapped the edges in Foil Tape. I added all the metal with brads and wire, then added a coiled wire to hang the tag up with. If you are still with me after this ridiculous story...thank you! Note To Self: I might need to check into some medication to stifle this craziness! Hmmm...or is this my style???
 
I am submitting Princess Metallica Spinster to My Mojo Monthly's challenge (no pun intended) of "Your Style", the Sunday Stamper challenge of "Embellishments", and Simon Says Stamp & Show's challenge of "Anything Goes". 
Supplies:


I hope your hands get creatively dirty soon!



31 comments:

  1. Stunning!!!! wonderful work! Kiss Barbarayaya

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  2. OMG Anita...
    This is one Funky work of Art, perhaps your Mojo should take a walkabout more often if this is what you can create when it returns. I am amazed and thrilled with what you have constructed here. It has risen completely and utterly out of the gutter(guard), and for me it is up the very best of Artists. It has flair and imagination, quirky and fun; almost eccentric!
    I love every element, and the way you have altered them, you must have enjoyed making this very much.
    Smiles:)
    Sue

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  3. That is one of the most wonderful & beautiful things I have EVER seen.

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  4. Hi Anita this is just a fantastic creation. I love the distress able books and only recently found them while cleaning out my crafty cupboard. Love the way you have used the gutter wire, altering it to suit and Princess Metallica is brilliant. TFS and good luck in the challenges. Crafty hugs Annie x

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  5. Wow Anita, this is amazing, LOVE IT!!! Thanks for joining in with the Sunday Stamper x

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  6. This is beyond stunning. I'm completely in awe. The metal painting with the patinas is just extraordinary, especially on the heart, and the mesh setting is perfect to display her in all her absolute glory. Simply glorious. I've no metal altering stash yet... this is the perfect inspiration to start experimenting. Thank you so much for sharing all those photos (I'd be happy to see the rest of the 67!!). I'd say, Mojo well and truly back in working order!
    Alison x

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  7. I think this is fabulous - very creative and so much to see - love every little piece and detail. The metal is such an unusual tag background and the perfect stage for you little man! Hope the Mojo keeps flowing!!! Thanks so much for sharing with My Mojo Monthly! Sarah.

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  8. Ну, Анита, ну ты даёшь!... У меня просто нет слов! No words! Only emotions!!! Ты просто прелесть!

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  9. Anita...I'm so happy to meet Princess Metallica Spinster and to see her get the recognition she so deserves :) This piece is brilliant! I love the gutter guard background. It's perfect to showcase the Princess. She is pure whimsy and just delightful. Thanks for including all of the pics. I wouldn't want to miss a single detail. Love it!

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  10. My, My Mrs H! Marvelous, Magnificent Metal Mojo Magic! Princess Metallica Spinster is wonderful.Your imagination is boundless! This is amazing Anita. I am in awe and saluting you respectfully from across the pond xx

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  11. OMG!!!!! That is SO SO SO AMAZING!!! I absolutely LOVE this!!!!

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  12. Anita, this is a piece of art! Love the metal you've used to create your tag with! So cool! It has so many metal going on which you've all painted! I love it! Thank you so much for joining us at Simon Says Stamp and Show! Hugs, Sandra

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  13. What an awesome project. Thank you so much for sharing.

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  14. This is just amazing, you are so talented!!! I am blown away by your creativity!

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  15. Now we got some gorgeous "Heavy Metal" going on here! Love how you atlered all these lovely metals! Very cool tag! Enjoy!

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  16. WOW, this is amazing! One of the coolest tags I have ever seen. Love your metal woman and how you built her. Great colours, great everything. Thank you for joining us at Simon Says Stamp & Show!

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  17. An amazing piece..just love the quirkiness of it!trace x

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  18. Loving your Funky Buddy! Great use of lots of metal, great colourings too. A truly inspirational piece. A x

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  19. This is stunning - love all the metal, the colours and the embellies!

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  20. She's fantabulous, Anita! Love your thinking and I admire your patience to attach all those parts.... it's outstanding!

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  21. Hi Anita, love your princess Metallica, she is very funky and I love your use of metal and gauze in the background. Beautifully coloured and embellished and a great idea too. Thanks so much for joining in the Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge with your creative piece. Tracy x

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  22. Anita, This is so amazing! Your creativity is boundless!!!

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  23. Princess Metallica is totally gorgeous and I love her metal tag brilliant!

    Maggie H

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  24. How cool, that's an outstanding tag, great elements.

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  25. This is just an AWESOME tag!!!

    I have just nominated you for the versatile blogger award. Just a simple recognition of how much I enjoy visiting your blog. http://mindovermattercreations.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-versatile-blogger-award.html

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  26. WONDERFULL TAG ANITA!!! Thank you for share your art, and show us step by step, how to make it!!! have a good day!!

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  27. OH my goodness! That is the funniest creation and one of the best I have seen in a while! Love this. PLEASE! Tell me what the arms and legs are made of, are those glass fuses? Love this ( i know, i said that already) you have apparently found your mojo again :-)

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  28. Oh my oh my Anita, this is incredible. Amazing job and looks like it was a total blast to make. I really love everything about it. You so rocked this challenge, my friend!

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  29. I love her and everything she represents!

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  30. Had to come back and have another look at Her Highness... she's really stayed with me since I saw her - which I think is the sign of a great work of art.
    Alison x

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  31. Wow Anita, this is just stunning ! Looks like your mojo found the spark it needed ! Sue C x

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